A lung scan uses specialized medical imaging to look inside the chest for signs of disease, injury, or other abnormalities. Physicians order these scans for diagnostic purposes, such as investigating a persistent cough, or for screening, like checking for early lung cancer in high-risk patients. The cost of a lung scan is highly variable and complex, depending on the specific technology used, where the procedure is performed, and how the patient plans to pay. Understanding the different types of scans is the first step in estimating the potential expense.
Defining the Types of Lung Scans
The term “lung scan” generally refers to one of three primary imaging modalities, each serving a different purpose and carrying a different baseline cost. Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) is the least expensive and is typically used as a screening tool for asymptomatic individuals at high risk for lung cancer. This rapid procedure uses a lower amount of radiation than a standard scan.
A Standard Chest CT, also known as a diagnostic CT, is ordered when a patient is experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. This scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the chest cavity, lungs, and surrounding structures to help diagnose conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.
The most complex and expensive option is the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, which is almost always combined with a CT scan to create a PET/CT. This procedure uses a radioactive tracer to highlight metabolic activity in cells, making it valuable for staging known cancers or monitoring treatment response. The complexity of the equipment and the use of the tracer contribute to its higher cost.
Average Cost Ranges by Scan Type
The “sticker price” for a lung scan, before any insurance adjustments, exhibits wide national ranges reflecting the complexity of the test. Low-Dose CT screening, the least costly option, generally falls between $100 and $700 for patients without insurance, especially when secured through independent imaging centers.
Standard diagnostic Chest CT scans can range significantly, often starting around $400 but potentially reaching up to $7,000. The price depends on the location and whether an intravenous contrast agent is required. These figures often include the technical fee for machine usage and the professional fee for the radiologist’s interpretation.
The PET/CT scan carries the highest average unadjusted price tag. Costs commonly range from $1,300 to well over $7,000, with hospital-based services often billing at the higher end of this spectrum. The need for a radiopharmaceutical tracer, in addition to the imaging equipment and professional interpretation, drives this elevated expense.
Key Factors Driving Price Variation
The vast differences in pricing for the same scan are primarily influenced by the facility where the test is performed. Independent, outpatient imaging centers consistently charge significantly less than hospital-based outpatient departments. Hospitals often have higher operational overhead and are permitted to charge a facility fee that dramatically inflates the final bill.
Geographic location also plays a large role in price variability, with costs typically higher in major metropolitan areas and regions with a higher cost of living. While increased market competition can sometimes drive prices down, the overall cost structure remains linked to the local economy.
The final price is also determined by whether the service is “bundled” to include all ancillary costs. A scan that requires the injection of a contrast dye to enhance the image will be more expensive than one performed without it. Any need for sedation or additional professional consultations may also be added to the final billed amount.
Navigating Payment: Insurance and Self-Pay Options
The final out-of-pocket cost is heavily dependent on the patient’s insurance status and the specific type of scan being performed.
Insurance Coverage
For LDCT lung cancer screening, most private insurance plans and Medicare cover the procedure with no co-pay or deductible for eligible high-risk individuals. This is because LDCT is classified as a preventive service. For diagnostic scans like a Standard CT or PET/CT, patients are typically responsible for co-pays, co-insurance, and meeting their annual deductible before insurance coverage takes effect.
Self-Pay and Price Shopping
Patients paying cash without insurance can often negotiate a substantial “self-pay” discount, which is frequently much lower than the rate billed to the insurance company. To effectively compare prices, patients should ask the provider for the specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for the scan (e.g., 71271 for LDCT or 71250 for a diagnostic Chest CT). Using this code allows for direct price shopping across different facilities, which is a practical step for reducing the final cost.