Rhode Island

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Rhode Island

Name: CT Chest Cost in Rhode Island (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Rhode Island's concentrated healthcare market, dominated by major health systems like Lifespan and Care New England, creates a unique pricing landscape for diagnostic imaging services. Patients seeking a Chest CT Scan typically pay between $54 and $454, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $171 based on negotiated insurance rates across 86 active providers. The Ocean State's small geographic footprint means patients can easily browse all providers in Rhode Island to compare costs and find the most affordable option for their needs.

Average

$226

Median

$171

Lowest

$54

Highest

$454

Providers

National avg: $302Rhode Island: $226

25% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Rhode Island?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$88	$321	$879	84
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$59	$204	$537	84
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$65	$191	$527	71
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$283	$827	86

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 71260 — CT chest with contrast). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 71260 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 71260 (CT chest with contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 71260 covers: the provider's professional fee for ct chest. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Chest CT Scan Visit Costs Vary Across Rhode Island

Rhode Island's healthcare costs run approximately 13% above the national average, driven by the state's concentrated market dominated by major health systems and limited geographic competition. The Ocean State's small size creates unique dynamics where patients can easily travel between urban Providence and suburban facilities, but hospital consolidation limits true price competition for diagnostic services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Rhode Island's urban-suburban divide is less pronounced than in larger states, with most imaging facilities concentrated in the Providence metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Patients in more rural areas like Washington County may have fewer immediate options but can easily access Providence-area facilities within a 45-minute drive. This geographic accessibility helps moderate the typical rural healthcare cost premiums seen in other states.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based imaging departments affiliated with Lifespan, Care New England, and other major health systems typically charge higher facility fees than independent radiology practices throughout Rhode Island. These health system facilities carry higher overhead costs due to hospital regulations and staffing requirements, which are passed on to patients through higher imaging fees. Independent imaging centers often offer more competitive pricing while maintaining the same diagnostic quality standards.

Insurance Market Competition in Rhode Island

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island maintains a significant market presence alongside UnitedHealthcare and Tufts Health Plan, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates for imaging services. The state's relatively concentrated insurance market means fewer plan options but more predictable coverage policies across providers. This market structure allows imaging facilities to develop standardized contracts with major payers, potentially reducing administrative costs.

Physician Supply and Demand in Rhode Island

With 86 active Chest CT Scan providers serving Rhode Island's population of just over one million residents, the state maintains adequate radiologist availability relative to demand. This healthy supply-to-population ratio helps prevent the physician shortages that drive up costs in other markets, though most specialists remain concentrated in the Providence area. The presence of Brown University's medical programs also ensures a pipeline of new radiologists entering the Rhode Island market.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Chest CT Scan Costs in Rhode Island

What is the average cost of a Chest CT Scan visit in Rhode Island without insurance?

Without insurance, Chest CT Scan costs in Rhode Island range from $54 to $454, with a median cost of $171 based on negotiated rates across 86 providers. Self-pay patients may qualify for discounts of 20-40% at many imaging centers, particularly independent facilities. Many providers offer payment plans and will provide upfront pricing quotes to help uninsured patients plan for these diagnostic expenses.

Does Rhode Island Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, Rhode Island's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Chest CT Scans when ordered by a physician, though prior authorization may be required. Coverage is provided through the state's managed care organizations, which may have preferred imaging facility networks. Patients should verify that their chosen imaging center accepts Rhode Island Medicaid and obtain any required referrals before scheduling their scan.

How do I find an affordable Chest CT Scan near me in Rhode Island?

Compare costs between hospital-based imaging departments and independent radiology centers, as independent facilities often charge significantly less for the same service. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider facilities in suburban areas which may have lower overhead costs than downtown Providence locations. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout Rhode Island may also offer reduced-cost imaging services based on income eligibility.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Chest CT Scans are imaging procedures rather than consultation visits, so costs are based on the technical and professional components of the scan itself. The technical fee covers the imaging equipment and technologist, while the professional fee covers the radiologist's interpretation, with total costs ranging from $54 to $454 in Rhode Island. Follow-up scans typically cost the same as initial scans, though some facilities may offer package pricing for patients requiring serial monitoring imaging.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Chest CT Scan visit in Rhode Island?

Yes, Chest CT Scans ordered by a physician are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes both the technical and professional components of the imaging service, as well as any associated consultation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation from your imaging provider, as you may need these for HSA/FSA reimbursement or tax purposes.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Chest CT Scan in Rhode Island?

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultations can reduce costs for pre-scan consultations and post-scan results discussions with your physician. Many Rhode Island providers expanded telehealth options during the pandemic and continue to offer virtual follow-up appointments to review imaging results. This can eliminate office visit copays and reduce travel time, though insurance coverage for telehealth varies by plan and provider.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$131

$2,723

Office visit (CPT 71260)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	North Dakota(ND) Range: $118 – $7,881	$2,723	$118	$7,881	653
2	Minnesota(MN) Range: $80 – $7,881	$2,711	$80	$7,881	3,188
3	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $863	$363	$73	$863	4,270
4	Georgia(GA) Range: $61 – $699	$319	$61	$699	3,315
5	Wyoming(WY) Range: $54 – $598	$287	$54	$598	184
6	Nevada(NV) Range: $80 – $453	$272	$80	$453	2,690
7	Maine(ME) Range: $93 – $439	$262	$93	$439	1,705
8	Nebraska(NE) Range: $108 – $415	$246	$108	$415	2,647
9	Hawaii(HI) Range: $67 – $348	$243	$67	$348	114
10	New Mexico(NM) Range: $52 – $505	$242	$52	$505	1,300
11	Iowa(IA) Range: $73 – $424	$237	$73	$424	424
12	Vermont(VT) Range: $49 – $516	$236	$49	$516	346
13	North Carolina(NC) Range: $60 – $443	$233	$60	$443	2,569
14	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $67 – $446	$232	$67	$446	3,685
15	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $64 – $454	$230	$64	$454	1,801
16	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $54 – $454	$226	$54	$454	86
17	Alaska(AK) Range: $54 – $449	$224	$54	$449	58
18	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $49 – $454	$223	$49	$454	338
19	Colorado(CO) Range: $55 – $441	$218	$55	$441	1,721
20	Utah(UT) Range: $54 – $374	$212	$54	$374	419
21	California(CA) Range: $25 – $521	$210	$25	$521	10,242
22	Indiana(IN) Range: $54 – $411	$206	$54	$411	468
23	New York(NY) Range: $42 – $443	$205	$42	$443	32,246
24	Washington(WA) Range: $54 – $384	$203	$54	$384	3,423
25	Michigan(MI) Range: $57 – $356	$195	$57	$356	2,175
26	Illinois(IL) Range: $64 – $346	$192	$64	$346	7,047
27	Tennessee(TN) Range: $61 – $333	$188	$61	$333	2,701
28	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $50 – $389	$185	$50	$389	2,029
29	West Virginia(WV) Range: $64 – $317	$184	$64	$317	229
30	Virginia(VA) Range: $41 – $371	$182	$41	$371	2,895
31	Idaho(ID) Range: $54 – $321	$182	$54	$321	167
32	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $41 – $371	$181	$41	$371	7,333
33	Connecticut(CT) Range: $54 – $389	$179	$54	$389	915
34	Texas(TX) Range: $54 – $345	$178	$54	$345	11,171
35	South Carolina(SC) Range: $54 – $339	$178	$54	$339	1,384
36	Kansas(KS) Range: $59 – $324	$178	$59	$324	1,893
37	Oregon(OR) Range: $70 – $291	$177	$70	$291	758
38	South Dakota(SD) Range: $134 – $222	$175	$134	$222	321
39	Alabama(AL) Range: $48 – $332	$173	$48	$332	2,695
40	Delaware(DE) Range: $61 – $273	$170	$61	$273	205
41	Louisiana(LA) Range: $48 – $288	$169	$48	$288	1,374
42	Kentucky(KY) Range: $54 – $335	$169	$54	$335	473
43	Arkansas(AR) Range: $61 – $278	$164	$61	$278	149
44	Montana(MT) Range: $54 – $263	$163	$54	$263	108
45	Maryland(MD) Range: $24 – $335	$161	$24	$335	4,048
46	Mississippi(MS) Range: $48 – $307	$160	$48	$307	1,325
47	Missouri(MO) Range: $64 – $265	$159	$64	$265	5,432
48	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $51 – $298	$154	$51	$298	2,180
49	Ohio(OH) Range: $41 – $298	$154	$41	$298	4,434
50	Arizona(AZ) Range: $54 – $267	$145	$54	$267	6,691
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $297	$131	$35	$297	5,487