(EG, INCLUDES ASSESSMENT FOR PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF: MALIGNANCY, LIVER DISEASE, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE, RENAL DISEASE, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, ASTHMA, DIABETES, OTHER CO-MORBID CONDITIONS) (CAP) Cost in California

The cost of (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap) in California depends on several factors, including the type of facility, whether you have insurance, and local market dynamics.

One of the biggest drivers of (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap) cost is where you get the scan. Hospital outpatient departments commonly charge 2–3x what independent imaging centers charge for the identical procedure. The equipment and radiologists are often comparable, but hospital facility fees dramatically increase the total.

Based on data from 10 hospitals in California, (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap) prices range from $25 to $25 — a 1.0x difference. This wide variation underscores why comparing prices before scheduling is critical for controlling your out-of-pocket costs.

In California, (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap) is available at both hospital outpatient departments and independent imaging centers. The price difference between these settings is often the single largest factor in your total bill.

Hospital outpatient departments include a facility fee that independent centers don't charge. This fee alone can add $200–$1,500+ to the cost of a (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap). The clinical quality of the scan is generally comparable between settings when performed by qualified technologists.

Before scheduling, ask your referring physician whether an independent center is appropriate for your clinical situation. For routine diagnostic imaging, many patients achieve significant savings at freestanding centers.

Self-pay patients in California often have access to significantly discounted rates for (eg, includes assessment for presence or absence of: malignancy, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, other co-morbid conditions) (cap). Under federal price transparency rules (45 CFR § 180.50), hospitals must publish their discounted cash prices alongside standard charges.

For insured patients, the negotiated rate between your plan and the hospital determines your cost share. If you haven't met your deductible, you may pay more than the cash price. It's worth asking the hospital whether their self-pay rate is lower than what your insurance would charge — some patients save money by not filing a claim.