Ct scan of lower spine without contrast
Medicare pricing data for 30,108 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 6.5x markup — hospitals charge $362.68 but Medicare allows only $55.62. Uninsured patients may face bills 6.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Ct scan of lower spine without contrast (HCPCS code 72131) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $55.62, but hospitals typically charge $362.68 — a 6.5x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $55.62, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $11.12. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 6.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $42.46 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $88 | $767 | 102 | 1,172 | +58.3% |
| Puerto Rico | $72 | $202 | 103 | 504 | +28.7% |
| Maryland | $69 | $344 | 602 | 11,265 | +24.3% |
| New Jersey | $68 | $428 | 774 | 13,208 | +21.5% |
| California | $66 | $420 | 2,767 | 47,873 | +18.3% |
| New York | $65 | $395 | 1,589 | 30,728 | +17.7% |
| District of Columbia | $64 | $314 | 103 | 2,108 | +15.6% |
| Florida | $62 | $441 | 2,165 | 49,030 | +10.6% |
| Connecticut | $61 | $373 | 446 | 6,270 | +9.5% |
| Nevada | $59 | $458 | 267 | 4,428 | +5.8% |
| Arizona | $59 | $449 | 479 | 11,918 | +5.6% |
| Montana | $56 | $321 | 100 | 1,243 | +1.4% |
| Colorado | $56 | $370 | 513 | 9,496 | +0.6% |
| Louisiana | $55 | $396 | 432 | 6,864 | -0.7% |
| Texas | $55 | $460 | 2,084 | 47,972 | -1.0% |
| Delaware | $54 | $274 | 88 | 1,863 | -2.1% |
| South Carolina | $54 | $370 | 506 | 6,842 | -2.1% |
| Wyoming | $54 | $442 | 55 | 919 | -2.6% |
| Rhode Island | $54 | $265 | 122 | 2,640 | -3.1% |
| Washington | $54 | $276 | 684 | 10,173 | -3.4% |
| Minnesota | $54 | $357 | 1,095 | 21,981 | -3.7% |
| Georgia | $53 | $401 | 870 | 13,904 | -4.0% |
| Hawaii | $53 | $244 | 118 | 1,349 | -4.7% |
| Virginia | $53 | $338 | 811 | 14,886 | -5.3% |
| Tennessee | $52 | $360 | 814 | 11,853 | -5.8% |
| Massachusetts | $52 | $260 | 784 | 10,803 | -6.0% |
| New Mexico | $51 | $309 | 167 | 1,979 | -7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $51 | $284 | 1,359 | 20,355 | -7.5% |
| Alabama | $51 | $274 | 471 | 8,994 | -8.6% |
| North Carolina | $51 | $353 | 1,064 | 16,193 | -8.7% |
| Illinois | $51 | $350 | 1,251 | 22,655 | -8.8% |
| Oregon | $50 | $255 | 360 | 4,285 | -9.9% |
| Missouri | $50 | $267 | 680 | 15,395 | -10.3% |
| Iowa | $50 | $298 | 283 | 3,279 | -10.8% |
| Oklahoma | $49 | $313 | 329 | 7,383 | -11.1% |
| Kansas | $49 | $234 | 300 | 5,968 | -11.4% |
| New Hampshire | $49 | $532 | 166 | 2,433 | -12.2% |
| Maine | $49 | $234 | 106 | 1,011 | -12.2% |
| Wisconsin | $49 | $486 | 706 | 7,137 | -12.5% |
| North Dakota | $49 | $219 | 97 | 1,221 | -12.6% |
| Utah | $48 | $195 | 271 | 4,364 | -12.8% |
| Kentucky | $48 | $266 | 352 | 7,582 | -13.0% |
| Michigan | $48 | $243 | 822 | 16,711 | -13.1% |
| Indiana | $48 | $305 | 514 | 9,190 | -13.5% |
| Idaho | $48 | $340 | 145 | 1,986 | -13.6% |
| Nebraska | $48 | $239 | 209 | 4,432 | -13.7% |
| Mississippi | $48 | $338 | 243 | 5,010 | -14.6% |
| Ohio | $47 | $311 | 1,070 | 21,423 | -15.5% |
| South Dakota | $47 | $210 | 114 | 1,272 | -15.6% |
| Arkansas | $46 | $218 | 322 | 5,969 | -16.7% |
| West Virginia | $46 | $255 | 162 | 3,365 | -17.6% |
| Vermont | $46 | $275 | 37 | 750 | -18.1% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber