How Much Does It Cost to Get a Mobile CT Scan?

Written by: ViaScan Editorial Team

Medical Advisor: John Duncan, Ph.D. Director of Operations at:  VIASCAN

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this article does not create a doctor–patient relationship with ViaScan. Always consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, symptoms, or treatment. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.

CT scans are usually ordered by a doctor to look into a specific problem. If you have severe or sudden symptoms such as trouble breathing, severe abdominal pain or a sudden severe headache, go to an emergency department rather than waiting for a scheduled scan. Mobile CT services bring scanning equipment to a site such as a workplace, which can make planned scans more convenient.

A mobile CT scan brings imaging equipment to an agreed location, which can make planned scans easier to fit into your schedule. Many people wonder how the cost compares with a scan at a hospital or imaging center, and whether insurance covers on-site mobile scanning. We will answer all your questions here in this post. Keep reading for a better understanding.

What is a CT scan and why is it used?

Computerized tomography, or CT scans, especially for those unfamiliar with sophisticated health imaging technological advances, provides finely detailed descriptive pictures of the body’s interior structures using specialized X-ray machines and computer programs. Compared to traditional X-rays, CT provides a clearer image of soft tissue, major organs, bones, and blood arteries and veins. Physicians often request CT tests when indications point to problems such as diseases, malignancies, bone fractures, bleeding, or additional abnormalities in the head, chest area, stomach, pelvis, limbs, etc. Finding a problem earlier can make some conditions easier to treat, although this depends on the condition.

For people who live far from a hospital or imaging center, or who find travel difficult, getting to a CT appointment can take time and planning, and mobile CT can help close that gap.

How mobile CT scanning works

With mobile CT, the scanner travels in a specially equipped vehicle to an agreed location. Specialized vans carry all the equipment required for on-site CT scanning and examinations. Among the advantages of mobile CT scans are:

• Convenience: the scan takes place at an agreed site, such as a workplace or community location
• Speed: may reduce the wait for an appointment at a facility, depending on the provider
• Ease: remains in a familiar setting as opposed to a hospital
• Flexibility: scheduling may fit around work or other commitments, depending on the provider

But what expenses are involved in providing you with such cutting-edge technology? How much does a CT scan cost?  Let’s dissect it together.

What is the cost of a CT Scan?

The cost of a CT scan varies widely depending on the part of the body scanned, whether contrast is used, the facility, and your insurance. Ask the facility for the total price, including the radiologist’s report, before booking.

• Computed tomography (CT) scans are a non-invasive, painless diagnostic procedure that provides images of the inside organs.
• Certain health plans may cover authorized CT scans. You could still be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

How much does a CT scan cost with Insurance?

Rigorous network protocols regulate the services that policyholders can access that are covered by healthcare coverage. Although some outside-of-network coverage is offered by insurance providers, using an out-of-network provider may increase your costs. Financial difficulties come when you are saddled with a bill for a CT scan that costs several thousand dollars.

Your health plan will determine the precise cost of the CT scan. Some can pay nothing at all. However, some health plans could have a charge or deductible that you must pay before they would cover the expenses of treatment. Ask your insurance company the following to make sure you get the full benefit coverage:

• Your health plan covers CT scans and other imaging tests.
• Any deductibles or copays are your responsibility.
• It requires prior authorization in advance.

Your health plan allows you to select imaging centers and determine your fees based on the treatment location.

How much is a CT scan without Insurance?

When a CT scan is required but insurance is not, the whole cost of the bill must be paid out of cash. Medical facilities usually bill uninsured patients the entire gross sum instead of the insurance company’s reduced budgeted rates. Prices for the same scan can vary a great deal between providers, so it is worth comparing before you book. If you are uninsured or paying yourself, you have the right to ask for a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost in writing before your scan. [1]

Here are some Average CT scan prices with or without contrast from across the U.S.

Despite comparable CT test categories, there is a great deal of variability due to important factors such as the kind of scan, the supplies and instruments used, the personnel involved, and the use of contrast dyes. However, selecting less expensive providers over huge healthcare systems is a chance for cash-paying individuals to reduce those costs significantly. Mobile CT providers are one option worth comparing.

What is a Portable CT Scanner?

A portable or mobile CT scanner is CT equipment that can be brought to the patient’s location for scans. Here are some essential details regarding portable CT scanners:

• All of the essential components for CT imaging are housed in a dedicated car, trailer, or moving van that safeguards the delicate equipment during transportation, which is how portable CT scanners work.
• The scanner and its equipment are built to fit inside a vehicle or trailer, so the imaging unit can be taken to the patient’s location instead of the patient travelling to a hospital.
• The scan itself usually takes only a few minutes, and the images are then reviewed by a radiologist, who sends a report to your doctor.

Modern portable CT scanners’ mobility, precision, and speed make it possible to provide this essential diagnostic imaging equipment to patients directly rather than vice versa. This can improve access to CT scanning when it is clinically needed.

Conclusion

It’s stressful and worrying enough when you or someone you care about needs a CT scan; don’t add to the anxiety by worrying about how to get services and how much the bills will cost. ViaScan of Las Colinas offers mobile CT scanning; contact us for current pricing and availability. We bring mobile CT scanning to agreed locations, such as offices and communities, to make planned scans more convenient. We aim to keep our pricing straightforward, so ask us for a full quote before you book. To get precise rates customized to your needs, contact our scan professionals right now.

References:

[1] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Good Faith Estimates and the Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution Process for Uninsured (or Self-Pay) Individuals. https://www.cms.gov/cciio/resources/regulations-and-guidance/downloads/good-faith-estimate-patient-provider-dispute-resolution-process-for-uninsured-or-self-pay-individuals.pdf