You're not alone. With Australian healthcare costs rising, many patients are shocked to discover they'll pay $100-$400 out-of-pocket for CT scans, even with Medicare coverage.
For services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Medicare covers some or all of the costs of: CT scans. nuclear medicine scans. MRI scans.
MediSave helps to pay part or all of the cost of selected outpatient treatments, such as the management of chronic diseases, vaccinations, health screenings, or CT/MRI scans.
Medicare helps with the cost of medically necessary CT scans and other diagnostic tools that your doctor orders to diagnose, treat or monitor a disease or injury. These tests are covered by Part B if the scans take place in an outpatient setting.
Private CT scans: compare prices across the UK
One body part - £445. Two body parts - £640. Three body parts - £835.
You're not alone. With Australian healthcare costs rising, many patients are shocked to discover they'll pay $100-$400 out-of-pocket for CT scans, even with Medicare coverage.
Preparing for your CT scan
You will need a referral letter from a consultant or GP before booking any diagnostic investigation. You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
Since CT scans have been around for a considerable amount of time, an insurer would not likely deem them “experimental” or “investigational.” If your insurer is saying the CT scan is not medically necessary, you may need a letter from your doctor that details why it is necessary.
Some pathology tests don't qualify for a Medicare benefit and the patient must pay the full fee. Examples include elective cosmetic surgery, insurance testing and some genetic tests.
MRIs are more expensive than CT scans. Most insurance companies, however, will cover the bulk of any necessary imaging tests and only require patients to pay a copay or small portion of the exam.
Price of CT Scan in India in 2025: Detailed Cost Analysis
CT Brain Scan: ₹2,000-₹5,000. CT Chest Scan: ₹3,500-₹7,000. Typical CT Abdomen Scan: ₹4,000-₹8,500. CT Pelvis Scan: ₹3,000-₹6,000.
On average, the price of CT scans in the U.S. can range anywhere from $300 to $6,750, with some as high as $20,000. The exact cost you'll pay for a CT scan depends on many factors, such as insurance coverage, place of service, and body part being scanned.
There are some things Original Medicare won't cover. Generally, most vision, dental and hearing services are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Other services not covered by Medicare Parts A and B include: Routine physical exams.
Effective October 1, 2025, Wellcare is notifying all participating Medicare providers that prior authorization will no longer be required for a series of computed tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiogram procedure codes.
Please disclose if you have metal implants, medical/ electronic devices in your body, or there is a possibility that you are pregnant. If you are having a CT scan of your abdomen or pelvis, you may be required to drink an oral contrast solution or water before your exam.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
Tests, imaging and scans
Medicare doesn't cover
We don't pay for things like: ambulance services. most dental services. glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids.
Health insurance plans often include coverage for diagnostic tests that are performed on an outpatient basis including blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging procedures.
The cost of a CT scanner is significant. This is because CT scanners are built using high-tech equipment and software. For example, CT scanners use X-Rays to capture and record images, which means that they need to use X-Ray tubes. Some X-Ray tubes cost upwards of $200,000 or more when the need to be replaced.
Your doctor will order a CT or MRI scan based on your suspected or confirmed diagnosis. The cost of CT and MRI scans varies, depending on the number and type of tests ordered by the doctor. You can claim from your MediSave account to help cover the cost of your scan, subject to withdrawal limits.
Yes, you can negotiate lower CT scan costs. Employ proven negotiation strategies like requesting self-pay discounts (20-40% at standalone centers), comparing facility prices (outpatient centers average $525 vs. hospitals at $4,750), and asking about bundled pricing.
Reasons You May Need a CT Scan
The cost of a CT scan also varies from hospital to hospital. The cost of private CT scanning at our hospitals can be paid through your private medical insurance or using our flexible payment plans, or you can simply choose to pay in full at the time. For further information about CT scan prices, give us a call.