CT Scan (Chest) Cost in San Francisco, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (chest) cost in San Francisco, CA?
You could pay $298 or $304 for the same ct scan (chest) in San Francisco, CA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 22 reporting hospitals is $304. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Three low-priced facilities in San Francisco, CA, from hospital price files
- UCSF Langely Porter Psychiatic Hospital · Flr 7, CA $127
- Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley · Pleasanton, CA $127
- John Muir Health · Walnut Creek, CA $298
Free: the typical range and the facilities above. Add your email to unlock all 22 facilities. We email you the full price list plus a checklist of what to ask before you book. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Where ct scan (chest) costs vary in San Francisco, CA
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby 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.
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Cheapest CT Scan (Chest) Providers in San Francisco, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ucsf Medical Center | Box 0296, CA | $127 | -$177 |
| 2 | UCSF Langely Porter Psychiatic Hospital | Flr 7, CA | $127 | -$177 |
| 3 | Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley | Pleasanton, CA | $127 | -$177 |
| 4 | John Muir Health | Concord, CA | $172 | -$132 |
| 5 | Contra Costa County | Matrinez, CA | $193 | -$111 |
| 6 | Alameda Health System | Oakland, CA | $295 | -$9 |
| 7 | John Muir Health | Walnut Creek, CA | $298 | -$6 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Email me this price comparison plus what to ask before booking
Unlocks all 22 facilities here and sends the full list with a short checklist of questions that change what you pay. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
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Quick take
- Ucsf Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $127 - $177 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.
- Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospital outpatient departments for the same scan and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
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.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (4) report prices above $355, including Saint Francis Memorial Hospital at $1,074, 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 $296 inpatient, 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.
On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.
| 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 San Francisco, CA
How much does a CT Scan (Chest) cost in San Francisco, CA?
The typical price is $304, with most facilities between $298 and $304. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $122 to $1,074 across all 22 San Francisco, CA hospitals that publish prices. 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 San Francisco, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our San Francisco, CA data is UCSF Benioff Childrens Oakland in Oakland at about $122. By metro, Concord has the lowest median ($235). Independent 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 San Francisco, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 8.8× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In San Francisco, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $304 versus a median negotiated rate of $74 - about 4.1× 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 San Francisco, 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
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read your medical bill
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in San Francisco, CA
CT Scan (Chest), elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
Imaging center vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than independent imaging 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).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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