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CT Scan Of The Lower Back (Lumbar Spine), Without Contrast

California rates for HCPCS 72131

This CT scan takes detailed cross-sectional X-ray images of the lower back, or lumbar spine, without the use of an intravenous contrast injection. It provides a clear view of the vertebrae and surrounding bone, useful for evaluating fractures, alignment problems, or other bone-related conditions. It's typically faster to perform than an MRI and is often used when the primary concern involves bone rather than soft tissue such as discs or nerves.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does CT Scan Of The Lower Back (Lumbar Spine), Without Contrast cost?

$245

Typical negotiated rate. In California, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $245 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $245 from a physician practice, and about $309 from a hospital or other facility.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 13 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$245$195 to $389
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$309$275 to $1,202

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $309 · 10th to 90th $204 to $2,291Professionalmedian $245 · 10th to 90th $145 to $1,660
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $309professional $245

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$1,122.02
Typical High
$2,691.53
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$91.20
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$1,202.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$380.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$309.03
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$234.42
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$109.65
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$676.08
Typical High
$691.83
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$645.65
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$154.88
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$478.63
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,884.03
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$354.81
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$102.33
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$251.19
Central California Alliance for Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$501.19
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$2,884.03
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$446.68
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$354.81
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$229.09
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$72.44
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$158.49
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$323.59
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$141.25
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$316.23
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$1,659.59
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$398.11
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$1,348.96
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$151.36
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$575.44
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$416.87
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$87.10
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$346.74
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$512.86
Typical High
$512.86
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$162.18
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$354.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$275.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$389.05
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$97.72
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$288.40
8 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$616.60
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
CT · Older CT scanner
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$1,047.13
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$977.24
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$56.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
CT · Older CT scanner
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$223.87

Where California sits

The same service costs 5.2 times more in Alaska than in Utah. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

California· 20th of 51

$245

AK $525UT $100

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.