CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Sacramento, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (chest) cost in Sacramento, CA?
Where you have a ct scan (chest) done in Sacramento, CA swings the bill from $288 to $705 for identical care. The median cash price across 15 reporting hospitals is $304. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.
Where ct scan (chest) costs vary in Sacramento, CA
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
The same CT scan costs 3–6× more at a hospital than at an imaging center. Location is the biggest variable - and you can choose.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why facility type drives most of the price variation - and how to use that
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when it's negotiable
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that can save $500–$1,500
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email - click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Cheapest CT Scan (Chest) Providers in Sacramento, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercy General Hospital | Sacramento, CA | $229 | -$75 |
| 2 | University of California Davis Medical Center | Sacramento, CA | $252 | -$52 |
| 3 | Woodland Memorial Hospital | Woodland, CA | $288 | -$16 |
| 4 | Mercy San Juan Medical Center | Carmichael, CA | $288 | -$16 |
| 5 | Methodist Hospital of Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | $303 | -$1 |
| 6 | Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | $304 | +$0 |
| 7 | Shriners Childrens - Northern California | Sacramento, CA | $395 | +$91 |
| 8 | Mercy Hospital of Folsom | Folsom, CA | $410 | +$106 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Mercy General Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $229 - $75 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $304, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Ask whether this procedure can be done at a freestanding ambulatory surgical center - they're typically 30-60% cheaper than a hospital for identical care, and most aren't in this hospital-only dataset.
California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. CT chest pricing is almost entirely driven by site of service - the identical scan costs 3–6× more at a hospital outpatient department than at an independent imaging center. Most commercial payers reimburse at the same negotiated rate regardless of setting, so choosing an independent imaging center captures the full savings without sacrificing clinical quality. For non-urgent scans, calling ahead to compare cash prices across freestanding centers is the single most effective cost lever.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (2) report prices above $2,870, including Sutter Center For Psychiatry at $5,153, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $304 versus $988 inpatient (about 3.3× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$304 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$61 |
| Out-of-network provider | $669+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Chest) costs in Sacramento, CA
How much does a CT Scan (Chest) cost in Sacramento, CA?
Across 15 Sacramento, CA hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan (Chest) ranges from $112 to $5,153, with a median of $304. Most facilities fall between $270 and $705. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a CT Scan (Chest) in Sacramento, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Sacramento, CA data is Sutter Davis Hospital in Davis at about $112. By metro, Folsom has the lowest median ($273). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is a CT Scan (Chest) so much cheaper at some Sacramento, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 46× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Sacramento, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $304 versus a median negotiated rate of $27 - about 11.3× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a CT Scan (Chest) in Sacramento, CA?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Sacramento, CA
CT Scan (Chest), elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same ct scan (chest) - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
With vs. without contrast
Which type your doctor orders for this ct scan (chest) changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard ct scan (chest) with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
CT Scan (Chest) is elective and schedulable, so you have time to compare facilities before booking - hospital outpatient prices often run 2-4x higher than alternative settings for the identical clinical outcome.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for ct scan (chest) before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
Other Procedure Costs in Sacramento, CA
- Appendectomy Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Cataract Surgery Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Childbirth Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Cholecystectomy Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Colonoscopy Cost in Sacramento, CA
- CT Scan (Abdomen) Cost in Sacramento, CA
- CT Scan (Head) Cost in Sacramento, CA
- CT Scan Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Echocardiogram Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Emergency Room Visit Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Endoscopy Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Hip Replacement Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Hysterectomy Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Knee Replacement Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Mammogram Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Brain MRI Cost in Sacramento, CA
- MRI Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Knee MRI Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Spinal Fusion Cost in Sacramento, CA
- Ultrasound Cost in Sacramento, CA
- X-Ray Cost in Sacramento, CA
Related Articles
Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?
- Free Cost EstimatorCalculate your exact out-of-pocket cost for any procedure
- Free Bill ScreenerCheck whether your bill and paperwork are ready for a professional review
- Family Bill TrackerTrack costs across every family member and every bill in one place
- CT Scan (Chest) Cost GuideCompare CT Scan (Chest) prices across all 50 states
- Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket MaximumLearn how insurance cost-sharing works and what you actually pay
- Cost ExplorerBrowse procedures and compare prices across the country
- CT Scan Cost GuideFind detailed CT scan pricing for your state
- X-Ray Cost GuideCompare X-ray pricing across states
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
Connect on LinkedIn →Ready to take control of your healthcare costs?
Use the free cost estimator → · Get your bill screened for free → · See the family plan →