CT Scan Cost in Pittsburgh, PA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ct scan cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
You could pay $120 or $370 for the same ct scan in Pittsburgh, PA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 18 reporting hospitals is $228. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where ct scan costs vary in Pittsburgh, PA
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.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why facility type drives most of the price variation - and how to use that
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when it's negotiable
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that can save $500–$1,500
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email - click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Cheapest CT Scan Providers in Pittsburgh, PA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry Ford Health | PA | $101 | -$127 |
| 2 | UPMC East | Monroeville, PA | $110 | -$118 |
| 3 | Monogahela Valley Hospital | PA | $118 | -$110 |
| 4 | Highlands Hospital | PA | $119 | -$109 |
| 5 | HERITAGE VALLEY SEWICKLEY | Sewickley, PA | $127 | -$101 |
| 6 | HERITAGE VALLEY BEAVER | Beaver, PA | $127 | -$101 |
| 7 | ADVENTIST HEALTH - CLEAR LAKE | PA | $174 | -$54 |
| 8 | UPMC Mercy | Pittsburgh, PA | $283 | +$55 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Henry Ford Health is the lowest-cost option at $101 - $127 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 $228, 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.
Pennsylvania has a highly fragmented hospital market - Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health, and Tower Health compete in Philadelphia; UPMC and Highmark/Allegheny Health Network are engaged in one of the country's most litigated payer-provider disputes in Pittsburgh. The UPMC vs. Highmark conflict has directly affected patients' ability to use their insurance at in-network facilities. Rural Pennsylvania prices are substantially lower than the two major metro markets. 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.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (4) report prices above $823, including Hoag Orthopedic Institute at $1,927, 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 $127 versus $341 inpatient (about 2.7× 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.
On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$228 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$46 |
| Out-of-network provider | $502+ |
Frequently asked questions: CT Scan costs in Pittsburgh, PA
How much does a CT Scan cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Across 18 Pittsburgh, PA hospitals that publish prices, a CT Scan ranges from $56 to $1,927, with a median of $228. Most facilities fall between $118 and $370. 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Pittsburgh, PA data is ST. CLAIR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL in Pittsburgh at about $56. By metro, Pittsburgh has the lowest median ($170). 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 Pittsburgh, PA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 34.4× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Pittsburgh, PA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $228 versus a median negotiated rate of $87 - about 2.6× 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
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 Pittsburgh, PA
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).
Related Articles
Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?
- Free Cost EstimatorCalculate your exact out-of-pocket cost for any procedure
- Free Bill ScreenerCheck whether your bill and paperwork are ready for a professional review
- Family Bill TrackerTrack costs across every family member and every bill in one place
- CT Scan Cost GuideCompare CT Scan prices across all 50 states
- Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket MaximumLearn how insurance cost-sharing works and what you actually pay
- Cost ExplorerBrowse procedures and compare prices across the country
- MRI Cost GuideCompare MRI pricing and understand imaging costs
- X-Ray Cost GuideCompare X-ray pricing across states
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
Connect on LinkedIn →Ready to take control of your healthcare costs?
Use the free cost estimator → · Get your bill screened for free → · See the family plan →