Lumbar spine CT cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 57 hospitals list a cash price for CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine) without contrast: from $187.60 to $5,426.98, with a median of $1,405.64. The lowest listed price is at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital — $1,218.04 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,172.10 at 109 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,405.64, is about the same as the US median of $1,397.59.
- That is 13.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($106.81).
- 11 of 57 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 57 facilities across 42 cities for code 72131, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$187.60John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
Median$1,405.64half of hospitals charge less
Highest$5,426.98in this market
Difference28.9×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $187.60Highest $5,426.98
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital lowest Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $187.60 | $268.00 | $156.06–$500.00 | 30% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 CT scan of lower spine without contrast File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $293.12 | $1,046.85 | $473.18–$1,099.19 | 72% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONT File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $500.28 | $1,516.00 | $94.88–$956.48 | 67% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $529.15 | $2,785.00 | $103.09–$510.01 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $529.15 | $2,785.00 | $529.15–$3,857.23 | 81% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 CT Lumb Spin; W/O Cont File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $587.88 | $2,760.00 | $110.61–$2,070.00 | 79% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 CT Lumb Spin; W/O Cont File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $591.77 | $1,653.00 | $227.13–$1,322.40 | 64% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $640.55 | $2,785.00 | $1,810.25–$2,935.39 | 77% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 CT Lumb Spin; W/O Cont File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $712.08 | $2,760.00 | $2,760.00 | 74% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 CT Lumb Spin; W/O Cont File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $745.20 | $2,760.00 | $110.61–$2,070.00 | 73% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $810.00 | $1,620.00 | $162.45–$1,296.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $810.00 | $1,620.00 | $162.45–$1,296.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $820.00 | $1,640.00 | $162.45–$1,312.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $830.00 | $1,660.00 | $163.65–$1,328.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $890.00 | $1,780.00 | $162.45–$1,448.92 | 50% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $904.94 | $2,661.58 | $107.53–$1,730.03 | 66% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 CT scan of lower spine without contrast File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $957.11 | $3,978.00 | $730.00–$4,097.34 | 76% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,170.00 | $2,340.00 | $162.45–$1,872.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,170.00 | $2,340.00 | $162.45–$2,279.16 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,200.00 | $2,400.00 | $163.65–$1,920.00 | 50% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 CT Spine Lumbar WO+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,224.18 | $4,534.00 | $97.68–$3,808.56 | 73% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,300.00 | $2,600.00 | $162.45–$2,314.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $1,300.00 | $2,600.00 | $162.45–$2,314.00 | 50% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 CT scan of lower spine without contrast File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,349.00 | $2,698.00 | $112.03–$2,698.00 | 50% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,405.64 | $4,134.24 | $107.53–$2,687.26 | 66% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $1,549.34 | $2,582.24 | $108.88–$2,582.24 | 40% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 CT L SPINE W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,570.00 | $3,140.00 | $162.45–$2,826.00 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Ct Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,813.00 | $1,813.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $1,822.43 | $2,429.91 | — | 25% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 LUMBER SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $1,920.63 | $2,400.79 | — | 20% |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $2,154.84 | $2,873.12 | — | 25% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Computed Tomography, Lumbar Spine; Without Contrast Material File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,344.00 | $2,344.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Computed Tomography, Lumbar Spine; Without Contrast Material File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,935.00 | $2,935.00 | — | — |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, LUMBAR SPINE; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,935.00 | $2,935.00 | — | — |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 CT Lumbar Sp W/O Cont File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $2,981.30 | $4,259.00 | $110.07–$3,790.51 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 CT Lumbar Sp W/O Cont File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $2,981.30 | $4,259.00 | $110.07–$3,790.51 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $806.12–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $731.23–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $836.95–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $850.17–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $303.95–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $704.80–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $656.35–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $854.57–$4,405.00 | 30% |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC CT SPINE LUMBAR WITH OUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,098.00 | $3,098.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC CT SPINE LUMBAR WITH OUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,098.00 | $3,098.00 | — | — |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $3,537.20 | $3,537.20 | $109.50–$599.76 | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 CT-LUMB SPINE WO File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $5,426.98 | $5,426.98 | $115.47–$649.00 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $187.60, median $1,405.64, highest $5,426.98 — a 28.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 39 facilities here, median $1,300.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 36 of 41 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What lumbar spine CT is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Lumbar spine CT explained.
4 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 72131 ($1,377.00). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.
| Hospital | Cash price | File |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, ILLUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST - 72131 - 35000195 | $111.00 | file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, ILLUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST - 72131 - 35000195 | $111.00 | file |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, ILHC CT SCAN LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST | $111.00 | file |
| Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, ILCT scan of lower spine without contrast | $133.94 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.