CT Scan Cost in San Luis Obispo, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan cost in San Luis Obispo, CA?
Where you have a ct scan done in San Luis Obispo, CA swings the bill from $175 to $238 for identical care. The median cash price across 4 reporting hospitals is $191. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.
Where ct scan costs vary in San Luis Obispo, CA
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 Providers in San Luis Obispo, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | CA | $176 | -$15 |
| 2 | SIERRA VISTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | CA | $206 | +$15 |
| 3 | Marian Regional Medical Center - Arroyo Grande Campus | Arroyo Grande, CA | $528 | +$337 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL is the lowest-cost option at $176 - $15 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 $191, 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.
California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. CT scan pricing is driven almost entirely by site of service - the identical scan costs 3–6× more at a hospital outpatient department than at an independent imaging center. With-contrast and without-contrast scans carry different CPT codes and prices, so confirm which your physician ordered before scheduling. For non-urgent imaging, comparing cash prices across independent imaging centers near you typically yields the largest savings.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $456, including Marian Regional Medical Center - Arroyo Grande Campus at $528, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. 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 | ~$191 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$38 |
| Out-of-network provider | $420+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan costs in San Luis Obispo, CA
How much does a CT Scan cost in San Luis Obispo, CA?
Across 4 San Luis Obispo, CA hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan ranges from $165 to $528, with a median of $191. Most facilities fall between $173 and $238. 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 in San Luis Obispo, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our San Luis Obispo, CA data is French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo at about $165. 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 so much cheaper at some San Luis Obispo, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 3.2× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In San Luis Obispo, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $191 versus a median negotiated rate of $14 - about 13.6× 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 in San Luis Obispo, CA?
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
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read your medical bill
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in San Luis Obispo, CA
CT Scan, 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 - 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 changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard ct scan with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
CT Scan 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 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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