Coverage
Does Medicare Cover CT Scans?
Yes, Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement will all assist with covering CT scans and other preventive health screenings, including X-rays, MRIs, PET scans and EKGs. These will typically require a 20% copay.
by Christian Worstell | Published October 26, 2023 | Reviewed by John Krahnert
Yes, Medicare typically pays for CT Scans, in addition to X-rays, MRIs,and EKGs. Depending on where you have the CT Scan, Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B may cover it.
The types of CT scans that are covered include portable CT, CT angiography and CT-guided procedures.
Other non-laboratory diagnostic screenings are also covered by Medicare Part B, though some out-of-pocket costs may apply.
What is the Medicare-Approved Amount for a CT Scan?
Your cost for CT scans performed in a doctor's office or in an independent testing facility will likely be a 20 percent coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount. For scans done in a hospital outpatient setting, you'll be charged a copayment for the costs that Medicare covers.
Medicare Part B covers certain diagnostic tests that your health care provider deems necessary to advance a diagnosis or rule out a suspected illness or condition. These include CT scans.
Other such imaging services and diagnostic tests include X-rays, MRIs, PET scans and EKGs. Medicare will also cover certain preventive health care services.
Original Medicare Benefits
Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part A covers:
- Hospital care
- Nursing home care
- Skilled nursing family care
- Home health services
- Hospice care
Medicare Part B covers:
- Services to prevent or detect an illness or a condition at an early stage
- Services and supplies needed to diagnose or treat an illness or condition that meet accepted standards of medical practice
Medigap Plans Cover Additional Health Care Benefits
Many Medicare beneficiaries also purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance, otherwise known as Medigap. Medigap plans are designed to help fill in the out-of-pocket cost gaps in Original Medicare, such as deductibles and coinsurance.
There are 10 standardized Medigap plan types that are sold by private insurers. While plan options vary from state to state, each type of Medicare Supplement Insurance plans must offer the following basic benefits:
- Part A coinsurance for hospital care
- Part A coinsurance or copayment for hospice care
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First three pints of blood
You can then select a Medigap plan with the additional benefits that meet your health care needs. Compare the basic benefits of each type of Medigap plan by using the chart below.
Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
Medicare Supplement Benefits
Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage
Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
First 3 pints of blood
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A deductible
Part B deductible
Part B excess charges
Foreign travel emergency
| Medicare Supplement Benefits | A | B | C* | D | F1* | G1 | K2 | L3 | M | N4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage | ||||||||||
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| First 3 pints of blood | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A deductible | 50% | 75% | 50% | |||||||
| Part B deductible | ||||||||||
| Part B excess charges | ||||||||||
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plan F and Plan C are not available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F or Plan C as long as they are available in your area.
+ Read moreMedicare Supplement Insurance can help cover your out-of-pocket CT scan costs.
Find a planOr call 1-800-995-4219 to speak with a licensed insurance agent.
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