How much do imaging procedures cost?

Medicare benchmark rates for common imaging procedures range from $37.76 to $369.85. Commercial insurers typically pay 1.2–2× these rates. Your actual cost depends on your plan, deductible, and whether the provider is in network.

How do I know if my imaging bill is too high?

Compare the amount you were charged to the Medicare benchmark for that specific CPT code. If your bill is more than about 2–3× the Medicare rate, it may be worth requesting an itemized bill and negotiating or appealing.

Imaging Costs

Medicare benchmark rates for 15 common imaging procedures, ranging from $37.76 to $369.85. Use these as a reference to check whether your bill is fair.

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Chest X-Ray, 2 ViewsCPT 71046$41.53Medicare rate Shoulder X-Ray, Minimum 2 ViewsCPT 73030$44.55Medicare rate Knee X-Ray, 3 ViewsCPT 73562$45.78Medicare rate Wrist X-Ray, 2 ViewsCPT 73100$37.76Medicare rate Foot X-Ray, AP and LateralCPT 73630$39.24Medicare rate CT Scan - Head/Brain without ContrastCPT 70450$167.27Medicare rate MRI Brain with and without ContrastCPT 70553$369.85Medicare rate CT Scan - Chest without ContrastCPT 71250$219.47Medicare rate CT Scan - Abdomen with ContrastCPT 74177$238.65Medicare rate CT Scan - Abdomen and Pelvis with ContrastCPT 74178$287.43Medicare rate MRI Cervical Spine without ContrastCPT 72141$308.74Medicare rate MRI Lumbar Spine without ContrastCPT 72148$310.45Medicare rate MRI Shoulder/Upper Extremity Joint without ContrastCPT 73221$295.32Medicare rate MRI Knee/Lower Extremity Joint without ContrastCPT 73721$295.32Medicare rate Ultrasound Abdomen CompleteCPT 76700$89.43Medicare rate

Understanding imaging costs

Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI) is billed in two parts: a technical component for the equipment and facility, and a professional component for the radiologist who reads the scan. Hospital outpatient imaging departments often carry large facility markups, and prior-authorization problems are a leading cause of imaging denials.

For imaging services, commercial insurers typically pay between $45.31 and $739.70 across this category — roughly 1.2 to 2 times Medicare. If you were billed significantly more than the commercial range for your specific procedure, the excess may be negotiable.

Click any procedure above to see its detailed Medicare rate, the typical commercial range, and specific steps for disputing an overcharge.

Common billing problems with imaging charges

Facility markup at a hospital outpatient department

The same scan can cost far more at a hospital outpatient department than at a freestanding imaging center, largely due to the facility (technical) component. If your scan was non-emergent, an independent center may have been a lower-cost option.

Prior-authorization denial

Advanced imaging (CT, MRI) frequently requires prior authorization. If your claim was denied for lack of authorization that your provider was responsible for obtaining, that denial can often be appealed.

Technical and professional components billed separately and redundantly

When the global service is split, make sure you are not paying more than the global rate by being billed for both components plus an additional charge.

How to push back on a imaging charge

For high facility fees, ask whether the charge reflects a hospital outpatient setting and whether a financial-assistance or self-pay rate applies. For authorization denials, ask your provider to file a retro-authorization or appeal.

Rates shown are 2024 CMS Medicare national average payment rates and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual payments vary by geographic area, facility type, and payer contract. This is not medical or financial advice.