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

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $199 at UC Davis Medical Center to $3,408 at Mercy General Hospital, 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) · Sacramento · code 70450

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

CT scan of the head without contrast dye — typical for head injury or acute symptoms. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 13 Sacramento-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$199

lowest median negotiated rate

UC Davis Medical Center

$3,408

highest (adult hospitals)

Mercy General Hospital

17.1×

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 13 hospitals · file dates 2026-02-28 → 2026-04-01 · retrieved 2026-08-14

Paying cash can beat using insurance. At Mercy General Hospital, the self-pay price is $1,032 — less than the $3,408 median commercial-insurer rate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the cash rate.

Skipping the hospital? 22 independent imaging/outpatient centers in this area negotiate a median $96 all-in for this procedure (107 insurer rates) — less than the lowest hospital facility fee above ($199).

United Global Care Foundation — $21
Capitol Imaging Inc — $21
Northern California P.E.T. Imaging Center — $31
National Radiological Imaging Associates, Inc — $35

All-in (global) negotiated fees from Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, 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