Each health insurance policy varies as to the procedures used for different types of services ordered by a patient, physician, or other health care provider. The written health insurance policy should be consulted for exact procedures for settlement with common services ordered. One particular area that is in question frequently is CT scan costs and how they are covered by the typical individual health insurance policy.

There are several factors that determine CT scan costs. These factors are the city and state of the actual procedure, whether it is a hospital or private medical care center that administers the test, the type of CT scan and other such type of determinants. The most influential in the variance of CT Scan costs is the type of procedure.

There are two main types of CT scans that are recognized in the health care industry. One is the screening CT scan which is a full body CT scan. It is designed to examine the whole body of a healthy person to ensure that the person is free from any complications in the body. Generally, the CT scan costs of a screening range from $300 to $700 for each body part. The out of pocket expense does vary according to the plan written out by the individual health insurance policy, but typically the majority of health insurance policies do not cover the expenses that occur from undergoing screening CT scans because they are not considered to be of medical necessity.

The other type of CT scan performed on patients is the diagnostic CT scan. This diagnostic CT scan is prescribed for patients who have symptoms of a disease. Health care professionals want to check the causes of these diseases so CT scans are prescribed. The price is higher than the screening counterpart with a range that fluctuates from $600 to $1,500 per body part. Generally speaking, the typical health insurance policy does cover this type even though CT scan costs are higher because they have been proven to be medically necessary in the treatment of diseases.

Whether or not CT scan costs are covered is dependent on the individual health insurance policy. It is important to read the policy so that there is an awareness of what is expected to be covered. Because of the CT scan costs, the average health insurance policy will require a prescription and proof that the procedure is medically necessary before the health insurance provider will assist in covering the costs. The amount covered will still vary according to the health insurance policy and the amount the facility administering CT scans charges. Everyone must look at CT scans on an individual basis to see if there is coverage.