CT Scan (Head) Cost in Knoxville, TN (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (head) cost in Knoxville, TN?
The same ct scan (head) in Knoxville, TN might cost you $394 at one facility and $1,429 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 10 reporting hospitals is $884. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where ct scan (head) costs vary in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge | Oak Ridge, TN | $385 | -$499 |
| 2 | Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center | Knoxville, TN | $385 | -$499 |
| 3 | Parkwest Medical Center | Knoxville, TN | $385 | -$499 |
| 4 | Fort Loudoun Medical Center | Lenoir City, TN | $398 | -$486 |
| 5 | Blount Memorial Hospital | Maryville, TN | $506 | -$378 |
| 6 | Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Sanders | TN | $1,262 | +$378 |
| 7 | Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital | Knoxville, TN | $1,262 | +$378 |
| 8 | East Tennessee Childrens Hospital | Knoxville, TN | $1,818 | +$934 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is the lowest-cost option at $385 - $499 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 $884, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Ask whether this procedure can be done at a freestanding ambulatory surgical center - they're typically 30-60% cheaper than a hospital for identical care, and most aren't in this hospital-only dataset.
HCA Healthcare, headquartered in Nashville, has significant hospital presence in its home state, creating pricing patterns more aligned with for-profit hospital economics than nonprofit systems in comparable markets. Vanderbilt University Medical Center anchors the Nashville academic tier. Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, maintaining a high uninsured rate that influences facility pricing structures. 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
A small number of hospitals (2) report prices above $3,616, including Select Specialty Hospital - North Knoxville at $7,378, 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 $392 versus $884 inpatient (about 2.3× 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 | ~$884 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$177 |
| Out-of-network provider | $1,945+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Head) costs in Knoxville, TN
How much does a CT Scan (Head) cost in Knoxville, TN?
Across 10 Knoxville, TN hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan (Head) ranges from $385 to $7,378, with a median of $884. Most facilities fall between $388 and $1,429. 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 Knoxville, TN?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Knoxville, TN data is Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge at about $385. By metro, Knoxville has the lowest median ($824). 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 Knoxville, TN hospitals?
Prices vary up to 19.2× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Knoxville, TN, the median cash (self-pay) price is $884 versus a median negotiated rate of $52 - about 17× 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 Knoxville, TN?
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
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Knoxville, TN
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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