CT Head Cost in Illinois (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a ct head cost in Illinois?

For a commercially insured patient, a ct head in Illinois typically runs $832–$2,029 once facility and physician fees are combined. The median reported facility price across 119 hospitals is $1,386. The figures draw on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

Where ct head costs vary in Illinois

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.

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Illinois presents two distinct markets: Chicago (highly competitive, high commercial rates, major academic medical centers) and downstate (lower density, smaller regional systems, lower rates). Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and Rush University Medical Center compete aggressively in the Chicago market. Downstate Illinois prices typically run 20–35% below Chicago-area rates for identical services. Head CT pricing follows the site-of-service pattern of other imaging, but emergency use dominates - most head CTs are ordered in emergency rooms, where facility fees can add $1,000–$3,000 on top of the imaging charge. Planned outpatient head CTs for follow-up or surveillance at independent imaging centers cost a fraction of the ER equivalent. If your order is non-urgent, ask your doctor for an outpatient referral to a freestanding imaging center.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $1,430 versus $1,538 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.

Frequently asked questions: CT Head costs in Illinois

How much does a CT Head cost in Illinois?

Across 119 Illinois hospitals that publish prices, a CT Head ranges from $100 to $7,793, with a median of $1,386. Most facilities fall between $654 and $1,931. 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 Head in Illinois?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Illinois data is John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago at about $73. By metro, Oak Lawn has the lowest median ($780). 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 Head so much cheaper at some Illinois hospitals?

Prices vary up to 77.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Illinois, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,386 versus a median negotiated rate of $171 - about 8.1× 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 Head in Illinois?

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.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).