Lumbar spine CT cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 48 hospitals list a cash price for CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine) without contrast: from $133.94 to $3,537.20, with a median of $1,788.80. The lowest listed price is at Roseland Community Hospital Association — $1,654.86 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $1,649.40 at 62 hospitals.
Cash prices at 48 facilities across 35 cities for code 72131, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Aug 24, 2026.
Lowest$133.94Roseland Community Hospital Association
Median$1,788.80half pay less
Highest$3,537.20in this market
Difference26.4×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 $133.94Highest $3,537.20
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Community Hospital Association lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 CT scan of lower spine without contrast | $133.94 | $273.00 | $104.19–$400.00 | 51% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 CT scan of lower spine without contrast | $293.12 | $1,046.85 | $1,046.85 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONT | $500.28 | $1,516.00 | $94.88–$956.48 | 67% | — source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Con | $529.15 | $2,785.00 | $103.09–$510.01 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CT SCAN,LUMBAR SPINE,W/O CONTRAST | $625.00 | $2,500.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Con | $640.55 | $2,785.00 | $1,810.25–$2,935.39 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $780.00 | $1,560.00 | $160.73–$1,248.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $780.00 | $1,560.00 | $160.73–$1,248.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $785.00 | $1,570.00 | $160.73–$1,256.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $800.00 | $1,600.00 | $160.73–$1,280.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $855.00 | $1,710.00 | $160.73–$1,391.94 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast BCE | $904.94 | $2,661.58 | $107.53–$1,730.03 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $904.94 | $2,661.58 | $107.53–$1,730.03 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,125.00 | $2,250.00 | $160.73–$1,800.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,125.00 | $2,250.00 | $160.73–$2,191.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,140.00 | $2,280.00 | $160.73–$1,824.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,250.00 | $2,500.00 | $160.73–$2,225.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,250.00 | $2,500.00 | $160.73–$2,225.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 CT scan of lower spine without contrast | $1,349.00 | $2,698.00 | $112.03–$2,698.00 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $1,405.64 | $4,134.24 | $107.53–$2,687.26 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 CT Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast BCE | $1,405.64 | $4,134.24 | $107.53–$2,687.26 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 CT L SPINE W/O DYE | $1,510.00 | $3,020.00 | $160.73–$2,718.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 CT Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $1,788.80 | $2,752.00 | $371.52–$1,502.59 | 35% | — source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Ct Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $1,813.00 | $1,813.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Computed Tomography, Lumbar Spine; Without Contrast Material | $2,344.00 | $2,344.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H CT SPINE LUMBAR WO CONTRAST | $2,406.60 | $3,438.00 | $584.46–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,841.00 | $2,841.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, LUMBAR SPINE; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,935.00 | $2,935.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Computed Tomography, Lumbar Spine; Without Contrast Material | $2,935.00 | $2,935.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 CT Lumbar Sp W/O Cont | $2,981.30 | $4,259.00 | $110.07–$3,790.51 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN CT Lumbar Sp W/O Cont | $2,981.30 | $4,259.00 | $110.07–$3,790.51 | 30% | — source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $303.95–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $836.95–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $704.80–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $806.12–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $656.35–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $731.23–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $1,850.10–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB CT Lumbar Spine W/O Dye | $3,083.50 | $4,405.00 | $850.17–$4,405.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC CT SPINE LUMBAR WITH OUT CONTRAST | $3,098.00 | $3,098.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC CT SPINE LUMBAR WITH OUT CONTRAST | $3,098.00 | $3,098.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 CT LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $3,537.20 | $3,537.20 | $109.50–$599.76 | — | — source file |
Outpatient: lowest $133.94, median $1,788.80, highest $3,537.20 — a 26.4× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 31 facilities here, median $1,405.64. 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 29 of 35 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 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 it is
This CT scan shows the bones of the lower back in detail. It is used after injuries and when an MRI is not possible.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the scan. The radiologist's reading may be billed separately.
2 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 72131 ($1,166.00). 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.
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, ILHC CT SCAN LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST | $111.00 | file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, ILLUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST - 72131 - 35000195 | $111.00 | file |