How much does Head CT scan (without contrast) cost in Houston?

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $165 at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital to $3,603 at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, based on the hospitals' own federally mandated price files.

Is it cheaper to pay cash than use insurance?

Sometimes. Several hospitals publish discounted cash prices below the rates insurers negotiate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the self-pay price.

Why do prices differ so much between hospitals?

Each hospital negotiates rates separately with each insurer, and hospitals in the same health system usually share one contract. The same procedure with the same insurer can cost several times more across town.

Costs · Imaging · Head CT scan (without contrast) · Houston · code 70450

How much does a head CT scan (without contrast) cost in Houston?

CT scan of the head without contrast dye — typical for head injury or acute symptoms. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 20 Houston-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$165

lowest median negotiated rate

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital

$3,603

highest (adult hospitals)

HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood

21.8×

price spread

same procedure, same metro

Rates shown

Median negotiated rate per hospital · sorted low → high · hover a bar for the full receipt

cash (self-pay) price

Hospital	Gross charge	Cash price	Negotiated	Range	# rates	vs median

* Specialty hospital (pediatric or cancer center) — rates reflect specialty case mix. † Median based on fewer than 3 published rates — treat as indicative. Bars show the median dollar-denominated commercial negotiated rate; hospitals sharing a health-system contract show similar rates.

SOURCE: standard-charges files from 20 hospitals · file dates 2026-02-28 → 2026-07-01 · retrieved 2026-08-03 → 2026-08-04

Paying cash can beat using insurance. At Ben Taub Hospital, the self-pay price is $102 — less than the $550 median commercial-insurer rate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the cash rate.

Skipping the hospital? 58 independent imaging/outpatient centers in this area negotiate a median $88 all-in for this procedure (313 insurer rates) — less than the lowest hospital facility fee above ($165).

X-Ray Mobile Texas Inc — $24
North Houston X-Ray,Inc — $30
X-Ray Mobile Texas Inc — $30
Universal Mri And Diagnostics Inc — $30

All-in (global) negotiated fees from Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare's federally mandated Transparency-in-Coverage files, newest dated 2026-08-01; hospital bars above show the facility fee only — a physician fee is usually billed on top. Estimates — confirm with the provider.

← Head CT scan (without contrast): overview