CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Lake Charles, LA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (chest) cost in Lake Charles, LA?
You could pay $146 or $284 for the same ct scan (chest) in Lake Charles, LA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 5 reporting hospitals is $221. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where ct scan (chest) costs vary in Lake Charles, LA
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.
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Cheapest CT Scan (Chest) Providers in Lake Charles, LA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ochsner Lake Area Hospital | Lake Charles, LA | $127 | -$94 |
| 2 | Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital | Lake Charles, LA | $127 | -$94 |
| 3 | DEQUINCY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | Dequincy, LA | $221 | +$0 |
| 4 | West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital | Sulphur, LA | $300 | +$79 |
| 5 | Lake Charles Memorial Hospital | LA | $1,028 | +$807 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Ochsner Lake Area Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $127 - $94 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 $221, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
LCMC Health, Ochsner Health System, and Willis-Knighton are the major players in Louisiana's concentrated hospital market. Louisana Medicaid covers a substantial share of the population, and many facilities carry high uncompensated care costs that influence their list price structures. Louisiana prices on the commercial side tend to run above the Southeast average. 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 (1) report prices above $560, including Lake Charles Memorial Hospital at $1,028, 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 $221 versus $221 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 | ~$221 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$44 |
| Out-of-network provider | $486+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Chest) costs in Lake Charles, LA
How much does a CT Scan (Chest) cost in Lake Charles, LA?
Across 5 Lake Charles, LA hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan (Chest) ranges from $127 to $1,028, with a median of $221. Most facilities fall between $127 and $284. 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 Lake Charles, LA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Lake Charles, LA data is Ochsner Lake Area Hospital in Lake Charles at about $127. By metro, Lake Charles has the lowest median ($127). 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 Lake Charles, LA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 8.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Lake Charles, LA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $221 versus a median negotiated rate of $79 - about 2.8× 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 Lake Charles, LA?
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
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in Lake Charles, LA
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).
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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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