CT Scan Cost in Chicago, IL (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan cost in Chicago, IL?
Where you have a ct scan done in Chicago, IL swings the bill from $106 to $306 for identical care. The median cash price across 52 reporting hospitals is $166. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.
Three low-priced facilities in Chicago, IL, from hospital price files
- Saint Joseph Hospital - Elgin · Elgin, IL $92
- Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital · Chicago, IL $92
- Saint Francis Hospital · Evanston, IL $92
Free: the typical range and the facilities above. Add your email to unlock all 52 facilities. We email you the full price list plus a checklist of what to ask before you book. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Where ct scan costs vary in Chicago, IL
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.
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 Chicago, IL
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Joseph Hospital - Elgin | Elgin, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 2 | Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital | Chicago, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 3 | Ressurection Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 4 | Saint Francis Hospital | Evanston, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 5 | Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet | Joliet, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 6 | Mercy Medical Center | Aurora, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 7 | Holy Family Medical Center | Des Plaines, IL | $92 | -$74 |
| 8 | Presence Chicago Hospitals Network | IL | $100 | -$66 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Email me this price comparison plus what to ask before booking
Unlocks all 52 facilities here and sends the full list with a short checklist of questions that change what you pay. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
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?
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Quick take
- Saint Joseph Hospital - Elgin is the lowest-cost option at $92 - $74 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 $171, 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.
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. 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 (6) report prices above $780, including Shirley Ryan Abilitylab at $2,197, 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 $160 versus $550 inpatient (about 3.4× 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.
What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$166 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$33 |
| Out-of-network provider | $365+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan costs in Chicago, IL
How much does a CT Scan cost in Chicago, IL?
The typical price is $166, with most facilities between $106 and $306. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $51 to $2,197 across all 52 Chicago, IL 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 in Chicago, IL?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Chicago, IL data is Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood at about $51. By metro, Elgin has the lowest median ($156). 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 so much cheaper at some Chicago, IL hospitals?
Prices vary up to 43.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Chicago, IL, the median cash (self-pay) price is $171 versus a median negotiated rate of $85 - about 2× 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 Chicago, IL?
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
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Chicago, IL
CT Scan, 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 - 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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