Heads up: Chest CT with contrast (71260) is the most common — ordered for blood clot evaluation. Lung screening CTs (71250) typically run lower.
Chest CT scans evaluate lung nodules, clots (pulmonary embolism), pneumonia, and cancer. They provide far more detail than an X-ray. For PE (blood clot) evaluation, contrast is always used.
Tip: If your doctor ordered a CT for a possible blood clot, that's 71260. Lung cancer screening is 71250.
| Code | Variant | When it applies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPT 71250 | Without contrast | Lung screening, nodule follow-up | See exact rates → |
| CPT 71260 | With contrast | Pulmonary embolism (blood clot) evaluation | See exact rates → |
| CPT 71270 | With and without contrast | Comprehensive view — both scans | See exact rates → |
Ranges span all billing codes for this procedure. Actual rate depends on which variant is performed.
| Insurance | AdventHealth Tampa | AdventHealth Wesley Chapel | AdventHealth Zephyrhills | HCA Florida Brandon Hospital | HCA Florida Largo Hospital | HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital | HCA Florida Trinity Hospital | HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molina | $75–$226Best | $75–$226Best | $75–$226Best | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered |
| Medicare | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best | $126–$185Best |
| Cigna | $198–$408Best | $202–$417 | $201–$414 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oscar Health | $204–$341Best | $211–$353 | $232–$388 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aetna | $215–$476 | $215–$476 | $161–$356Best | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 |
| Humana | $750Best | $1,437–$2,409 | $872–$1,461 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Workers Comp | — | — | — | $2,138–$2,817Best | $2,138–$2,817Best | $2,138–$2,817Best | $2,138–$2,817Best | $2,138–$2,817Best |
| Multiplan | $3,499–$4,299Best | $4,058–$6,805 | $4,058–$6,805 | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered |
| Self-pay (uninsured) | $2,509–$3,129Best | $2,509–$3,129Best | $2,509–$3,129Best | $16,140–$17,860 | $10,010–$13,542 | $13,199–$14,605 | $18,550–$22,044 | $13,199–$14,605 |
Source: Hospital price transparency files (federally required). Facility fees only.
Each hospital negotiates separate contracts with every insurer. For the same procedure, the rate can differ by 3–5x between hospital systems — larger systems have more leverage and command higher rates.
Facility fee only. The physician performing this procedure bills separately. Your out-of-pocket depends on your deductible and coinsurance. Federal law requires hospitals to provide a Good Faith Estimate before any non-emergency procedure.