CT Scan (Head) Cost in Charleston, WV (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan (head) cost in Charleston, WV?
You could pay $982 or $1,747 for the same ct scan (head) in Charleston, WV - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 5 reporting hospitals is $1,257. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law. The sections below break this down by coverage and by insurer.
Three low-priced facilities in Charleston, WV, from hospital price files
- Herbert J Thomas Memorial Hospital Association · South Charleston, WV $913
- University Hospitals Health System · Beachwood, WV $1,257
- Charleston Area Medical Center · Charleston, WV $1,870
All 5 facilities are listed below, free.
Where ct scan (head) costs vary in Charleston, WV
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.
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Cheapest CT Scan (Head) Providers in Charleston, WV
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herbert J Thomas Memorial Hospital Association | South Charleston, WV | $913 | -$344 |
| 2 | University Hospitals Health System | Beachwood, WV | $1,257 | +$0 |
| 3 | Charleston Area Medical Center | Charleston, WV | $1,870 | +$613 |
| 4 | Select Specialty Hospital - Charleston | WV | $8,590 | +$7,333 |
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
- Herbert J Thomas Memorial Hospital Association is the lowest-cost option at $913 - $344 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 $1,257, 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) | — | $121 to $179 | $179 |
| With insurance (commercial, average) | 4 | $139 to $1,413 | $710 |
| Without insurance (cash price) | 5 | $791 to $5,902 | $1,257 |
| Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | 4 | $91 to $1,543 | $691 |
| Aetna | 3 | $970 to $1,866 | $1,369 |
| Cigna | 3 | $421 to $1,726 | $1,075 |
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 (Head) cost with Medicare in Charleston, WV?
Medicare's national hospital outpatient payment for CT Scan (Head) is about $121 to $179 (typically near $179). After the $257 Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, about $36 on a $179 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 (Head) cost with insurance in Charleston, WV?
Across 4 Charleston, WV hospitals, the negotiated rates commercial insurers pay for CT Scan (Head) average $139 to $1,413 per hospital, with a median near $710. 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 (Head) cost without insurance in Charleston, WV?
Cash (self-pay) prices for CT Scan (Head) at 5 Charleston, WV hospitals range from $791 to $5,902, with a median of $1,257. 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 (Head) cost with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia in Charleston, WV?
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia negotiated rates for CT Scan (Head) at 4 Charleston, WV hospitals range from $91 to $1,543, with a median near $691. 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 (Head) cost with Aetna in Charleston, WV?
Aetna negotiated rates for CT Scan (Head) at 3 Charleston, WV hospitals range from $970 to $1,866, with a median near $1,369. 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 (Head) cost with Cigna in Charleston, WV?
Cigna negotiated rates for CT Scan (Head) at 3 Charleston, WV hospitals range from $421 to $1,726, with a median near $1,075. If a hospital is out of network for your Cigna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
WVU Medicine and CAMC (Charleston Area Medical Center) are the primary academic systems, with Thomas Health and Highmark's West Penn Allegheny network providing additional coverage. West Virginia has one of the lowest wage indices in the country, which depresses Medicare-adjusted rates significantly - but commercial rates don't always follow the same pattern. Many rural facilities are critical access hospitals. 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 (1) report prices above $3,306, including Select Specialty Hospital - Charleston at $8,590, 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 $1,085 versus $1,870 inpatient (about 1.7× 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 | ~$1,257 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$251 |
| Out-of-network provider | $2,765+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan (Head) costs in Charleston, WV
How much does a CT Scan (Head) cost in Charleston, WV?
The typical price is $1,257, with most facilities between $982 and $1,747. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $709 to $8,590 across all 5 Charleston, WV 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 (Head) in Charleston, WV?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Charleston, WV data is Boone Memorial Hospital, Inc. in Madison at about $709. 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 (Head) so much cheaper at some Charleston, WV hospitals?
Prices vary up to 12.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Charleston, WV, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,257 versus a median negotiated rate of $710 - about 1.8× 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 (Head) in Charleston, WV?
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 Charleston, WV
CT Scan (Head), 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 (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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