CT Scan (Head) Cost in Portland, OR (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (head) cost in Portland, OR?
You could pay $117 or $1,009 for the same ct scan (head) in Portland, OR - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 11 reporting hospitals is $118. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where ct scan (head) costs vary in Portland, OR
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 (Head) Providers in Portland, OR
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legacy Emanuel Medical Center | Portland, OR | $116 | -$2 |
| 2 | Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center | W121, OR | $116 | -$2 |
| 3 | Providence Health and Services - Oregon | Oregon City, OR | $117 | -$1 |
| 4 | Providence Health and Services - Oregon | Portland, OR | $117 | -$1 |
| 5 | Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center | Vancouver, OR | $119 | +$1 |
| 6 | KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL - WESTSIDE | OR | $177 | +$59 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Legacy Emanuel Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $116 - $2 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 $118, 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.
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) anchors the academic tier and the Portland market. Providence Health and Legacy Health compete for commercial volume in Portland, while PeaceHealth covers the southern coast and Eugene corridor. Oregon passed aggressive price transparency legislation, and its hospital-reported data is among the most complete in the West. 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 $118 versus $177 inpatient (about 1.5× 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 | ~$118 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$24 |
| Out-of-network provider | $260+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Head) costs in Portland, OR
How much does a CT Scan (Head) cost in Portland, OR?
Across 11 Portland, OR hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan (Head) ranges from $110 to $1,458, with a median of $118. Most facilities fall between $116 and $1,009. 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 (Head) in Portland, OR?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Portland, OR data is Providence Health and Services - Oregon in Newberg at about $110. By metro, Portland has the lowest median ($117). 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 (Head) so much cheaper at some Portland, OR hospitals?
Prices vary up to 13.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Portland, OR, the median cash (self-pay) price is $118 versus a median negotiated rate of $116 - about 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 (Head) in Portland, OR?
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 a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Portland, OR
CT Scan (Head), 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 (head) - 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 (head) changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard ct scan (head) with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
CT Scan (Head) 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 (head) 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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