CT scan costs in Texas: Medicare $147–$152 (wage-adjusted), Commercial $323–$532, Cash $588–$912. Compare prices in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and estimate your out-of-pocket cost.
CT Scan Cost in Texas (2026 Price Guide)
If you're wondering how much a CT scan costs in Texas, the price depends on insurance coverage, facility type, and local wage adjustments. The average CT scan cost in Texas ranges from $147 to $912 depending on facility type and insurance coverage. Medicare allows $147–$152 (wage-adjusted), while hospitals charge uninsured patients an average of $588–$912. Commercial insurance negotiates rates between $323–$532.
Patients searching for CT scan cost near Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio will typically see similar insurance ranges depending on facility type.
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• Average CT Scan Cost in Texas • Prices in Major Texas Cities • Why Prices Vary • Compare Across States • Estimate Your Cost • Check Your Bill
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Average CT Scan Cost in Texas
| Insurance Type | Cost Range | Your Typical Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare | $147–$152 | $0–$20 (after deductible) |
| Commercial | $323–$532 | $0–$250 (after deductible) |
| Medicaid | $110–$114 | $0–$5 |
| Uninsured/Cash | $588–$912 | $588–$912 (negotiable) |
Why the variation? Texas CT scan costs depend on three main factors:
- Facility type: Hospital outpatient departments charge 20–40% more than independent imaging centers
- Regional wage adjustments: Texas wage index ranges from 0.85–1.15 depending on metro area
- Insurance negotiated rates: Commercial insurance rates vary significantly by plan and facility
Uninsured? Don't pay the full chargemaster price. Call the imaging facility's billing department and ask for a cash discount—most offer 20–50% off for upfront payment.
CT Scan Prices in Major Texas Cities
Costs vary significantly across Texas metro areas due to local labor costs, facility competition, and insurance network differences.
Houston
- Medicare: $148–$152 (OPPS wage-adjusted + professional component)
- Commercial: $325–$535
- Cash/Uninsured: $590–$920
- Context: Houston metro area has a ~1.0–1.05 wage index (slightly above statewide average). Strong competition among imaging centers keeps commercial rates moderate.
Dallas
- Medicare: $147–$151
- Commercial: $320–$530
- Cash/Uninsured: $580–$910
- Context: Dallas-Fort Worth has similar wage index to Houston. Competitive imaging market with multiple hospital systems.
Austin
- Medicare: $147–$150
- Commercial: $315–$525
- Cash/Uninsured: $575–$900
- Context: Central Texas wage index slightly below state average (~0.95). Growing imaging market with newer facilities.
San Antonio
- Medicare: $146–$149
- Commercial: $310–$520
- Cash/Uninsured: $570–$895
- Context: South Texas wage index slightly lower than Houston/Dallas (~0.90). Fewer competing facilities = less negotiating leverage.
Note: These are representative ranges. Always request an itemized quote from your specific facility before scheduling.
Why CT Scan Prices Vary Across Texas
Regional Labor Cost Adjustments
Medicare adjusts the technical component payment using geographic wage indices based on local labor costs. Texas ranges from 0.85–1.15:
- High-Cost Metro Areas: Dallas, Houston (wage index 1.0–1.05)
- Moderate-Cost Areas: Austin, San Antonio (wage index 0.90–1.00)
- Lower-Cost Rural Areas: West Texas, South Texas (wage index 0.85–0.95)
This geographic adjustment directly affects Medicare rates. A scan that costs $109 in Houston might cost $99 in rural South Texas.
Hospital vs Imaging Center
Hospital outpatient departments have higher facility fees than independent imaging centers:
- Hospital Outpatient: Medicare technical component ~$109–$113 + professional ~$38–$39 = $147–$152 total
- Independent Imaging Center: Often 20–40% less ($100–$120 total)
Cost-saving tip: If your doctor orders a routine diagnostic CT, ask if it can be done at an independent imaging center. The imaging quality is identical, but you'll save $30–$50+.
Insurance Network Differences
Commercial insurance negotiated rates vary based on:
- Plan type: PPO plans typically pay 10–20% more than HMO/HDHP plans
- Facility agreements: In-network facilities have negotiated rates; out-of-network costs are much higher
- Market competition: Areas with more imaging facilities have lower negotiated rates due to competition
Emergency Department Surcharges
If your CT scan is performed in an emergency department setting:
- Base CT scan cost: $147–$912 (depending on insurance/facility)
- ED facility fee surcharge: Add 30–50% ($50–$450+)
Always clarify whether your scan will be done in the ED or outpatient imaging department.
Compare CT Scan Costs Across States
See How Texas Compares Nationally
Texas mid-range pricing ($147–$912) is comparable to the South region average. Here's how other states compare:
Higher-Cost States:
- New York - Medicare $80, Commercial $196–$319
- California - Medicare $80, Commercial $196–$319
- Massachusetts - Medicare $77, Commercial $189–$308
Similar-Cost States:
See all 50 states: CT Scan Cost by State (Complete Breakdown)
CT Scan Cost FAQs in Texas
Is a CT scan covered by insurance in Texas?
Yes, most health plans cover medically necessary CT scans after you meet your deductible. However, you'll typically need:
- Pre-authorization from your insurance company (some plans require this before scheduling)
- Proof that it's medically necessary (your doctor's order)
Contact your insurance company before scheduling to verify coverage and ask for an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost.
Are CT scans cheaper at imaging centers in Texas?
Usually yes—typically 20–40% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments. Independent imaging centers have lower overhead costs and more pricing competition. If your doctor orders a routine diagnostic CT and it's not emergent, ask if it can be done at an imaging center instead of a hospital.
Can CT scans cost over $2,000 in Texas?
Not for a standard head CT. However, you might see higher costs if:
- Contrast dye is used (adds $50–$150 depending on type and volume)
- Multiple body regions (e.g., chest + abdomen + pelvis = three scans)
- 3D reconstruction (advanced post-processing adds $50–$200)
- Emergency department setting (adds 30–50% facility surcharge)
Always ask for an itemized quote showing individual line items and CPT codes.
Why is my Texas imaging facility charging more than these estimates?
Possible reasons:
- More expensive scan variant — CPT 70460 (with contrast) costs more than 70450 (without contrast)
- Out-of-network facility — Your insurance doesn't have a negotiated rate, so they bill chargemaster
- Emergency department facility fee — Adds significant surcharge even for routine scans
- Additional services — Radiologist report, image storage/transfer, follow-up imaging recommendations
Always ask: "What CPT codes are being billed and why?" This tells you exactly what you're paying for.
Can I negotiate the CT scan price in Texas?
Yes. For uninsured patients:
- Call 2–3 imaging facilities for quotes
- Ask specifically for cash-pay discounts (most offer 20–50% off)
- Request the quote in writing before committing
For insured patients:
- Your out-of-pocket cost is determined by your insurance's negotiated rate
- But you can still ask to be scanned at a cheaper facility (imaging center vs hospital)
- Some hospitals will match lower cash prices if it's below their insurance negotiated rate
How do I know if a facility is in my insurance network?
Call your insurance company's customer service and ask for the "in-network status" of your specific imaging facility. They can tell you:
- Is the facility in-network or out-of-network?
- What's the negotiated allowed amount?
- What will you pay (your portion after deductible/coinsurance)?
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA is a healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics. He founded CostKits to help families understand and control their healthcare expenses.
John holds the Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA) designations. His work has focused on analyzing billions of medical claims to identify pricing patterns, billing errors, and cost-reduction opportunities across commercial and Medicare populations.
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