CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Reading, PA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (chest) cost in Reading, PA?
Where you have a ct scan (chest) done in Reading, PA swings the bill from $137 to $776 for identical care. The median cash price across 4 reporting hospitals is $404. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files. The sections below break this down by coverage and by insurer.
Three low-priced facilities in Reading, PA, from hospital price files
- St Joseph Regional Health Network $138
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading · Reading, PA $669
- Reading Hospital · West Reading, PA $1,740
All 4 facilities are listed below, free.
Where ct scan (chest) costs vary in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Joseph Regional Health Network | PA | $138 | -$266 |
| 2 | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading | Reading, PA | $669 | +$265 |
| 3 | Reading Hospital | West Reading, PA | $1,740 | +$1,336 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
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?
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost → · When the bills arrive, we check them for errors →
Quick take
- St Joseph Regional Health Network is the lowest-cost option at $138 - $266 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 $404, 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.
| Coverage | Hospitals with a rate | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare (national rate) | — | $89 to $179 | $107 |
| With insurance (commercial, average) | 4 | $163 to $3,555 | $249 |
| Without insurance (cash price) | 4 | $129 to $1,419 | $404 |
| Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3 | $33 to $175 | $90 |
| Aetna | 3 | $233 to $351 | $283 |
| Cigna | 3 | $269 to $15,599 | $305 |
Rates are negotiated allowed amounts and cash prices from hospital price-transparency files (October 2026), shown at each hospital’s lowest-priced typical billing code for this procedure. Facility fees only. The typical range is the middle 80% of hospitals, not a quote for your visit.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost with Medicare in Reading, PA?
Medicare's national hospital outpatient payment for CT Scan (Chest) is about $89 to $179 (typically near $107). After the $257 Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, about $21 on a $107 payment, with no out-of-pocket cap unless you have supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Doctor, anesthesia and pathology fees are billed separately. Medicare rates are national CMS amounts, adjusted slightly by local wage levels.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost with insurance in Reading, PA?
Across 4 Reading, PA hospitals, the negotiated rates commercial insurers pay for CT Scan (Chest) average $163 to $3,555 per hospital, with a median near $249. That is the amount your plan and you pay the hospital together; you owe your deductible, then coinsurance, up to your out-of-pocket maximum.
Each hospital’s figure is the average of the commercial insurers it lists. Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid rates are excluded.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost without insurance in Reading, PA?
Cash (self-pay) prices for CT Scan (Chest) at 4 Reading, PA hospitals range from $129 to $1,419, with a median of $404. Ask for the cash or self-pay price and for any financial-assistance discount before you book; both can be lower than the posted price.
Cash prices are the hospital’s published discounted rate for patients paying without insurance.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Reading, PA?
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiated rates for CT Scan (Chest) at 3 Reading, PA hospitals range from $33 to $175, with a median near $90. Your own cost depends on your plan’s deductible and coinsurance, and on whether the hospital is in your network.
Includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem plans listed by each hospital.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost with Aetna in Reading, PA?
Aetna negotiated rates for CT Scan (Chest) at 3 Reading, PA hospitals range from $233 to $351, with a median near $283. If a hospital is out of network for your Aetna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
How much does an CT Scan (Chest) cost with Cigna in Reading, PA?
Cigna negotiated rates for CT Scan (Chest) at 3 Reading, PA hospitals range from $269 to $15,599, with a median near $305. If a hospital is out of network for your Cigna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
Pennsylvania has a highly fragmented hospital market - Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health, and Tower Health compete in Philadelphia; UPMC and Highmark/Allegheny Health Network are engaged in one of the country's most litigated payer-provider disputes in Pittsburgh. The UPMC vs. Highmark conflict has directly affected patients' ability to use their insurance at in-network facilities. Rural Pennsylvania prices are substantially lower than the two major metro markets. 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
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $138 versus $138 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.
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 | ~$404 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$81 |
| Out-of-network provider | $889+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Chest) costs in Reading, PA
How much does a CT Scan (Chest) cost in Reading, PA?
The typical price is $404, with most facilities between $137 and $776. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $125 to $1,740 across all 4 Reading, PA 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 Reading, PA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Reading, PA data is Surgical Institute of Reading LLC in Wyomissing at about $125. 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 Reading, PA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 13.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Reading, PA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $404 versus a median negotiated rate of $249 - about 1.6× higher. Asking for the cash price as well as 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 Reading, PA?
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
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Reading, PA
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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