Nuclear stress test cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 33 hospitals list a cash price for nuclear stress test imaging (SPECT), rest and stress studies: from $1,252.69 to $22,348.25, with a median of $8,153.00. The lowest listed price is at Harris Health and 1 other hospital — $6,900.31 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $4,393.64 at 187 hospitals.
Cash prices at 33 facilities across 15 cities for code 78452, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$1,252.69Harris Health + 1 more
Median$8,153.00half pay less
Highest$22,348.25in this market
Difference17.8×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $1,252.69Highest $22,348.25
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris Health lowest Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION SCAN TOMOGRAM MULTI | $1,252.69 | $4,349.00 | $180.00–$2,826.85 | 71% | — source file |
| Harris Health lowest Houston, TX MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION SCAN TOMOGRAM MULTI | $1,252.69 | $4,349.00 | $180.00–$2,826.85 | 71% | — source file |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 HT MUSCLE IMAGE SPECT MULT | $1,279.74 | $8,486.14 | $1,234.95–$1,820.77 | 85% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC MYOCARD TOMOGRAPH (SPECT), MULT STUDY | $3,092.72 | $4,616.00 | $438.05–$4,385.20 | 33% | Mar 5, 2026 source file |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC MYOCARD TOMOGRAPH (SPECT), MULT STUDY | $3,092.72 | $4,616.00 | $438.05–$4,385.20 | 33% | Mar 5, 2026 source file |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC MYOCARD TOMOGRAPH (SPECT), MULT STUDY | $3,092.72 | $4,616.00 | $438.05–$4,385.20 | 33% | Mar 5, 2026 source file |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 CARDIAC IMAGING SPECT WWMEF | $4,588.98 | $13,111.35 | $438.05–$6,555.68 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St. Luke's Community Health Services Spring, TX HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC MYOCARD IMG MULT SPEC | $4,876.90 | $13,934.00 | $438.05–$13,934.00 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 MYOCARDI SPECT MULTIPLE STUDY | $5,327.35 | $15,221.00 | $416.15–$11,415.75 | 65% | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $6,875.50 | $13,751.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC MYOCARDIAL SPECT MULTI | $8,153.00 | $16,306.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $15,906.71 | $15,906.71 | $954.40–$13,520.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $15,906.71 | $15,906.71 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast Pasadena, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $18,355.32 | $18,355.32 | $300.00–$16,519.79 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $18,355.32 | $18,355.32 | $300.00–$16,519.79 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $19,262.26 | $19,262.26 | $1,155.74–$16,372.92 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $19,262.26 | $19,262.26 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $19,592.35 | $19,592.35 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $19,592.35 | $19,592.35 | $1,175.54–$16,653.50 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $20,380.41 | $20,380.41 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Cleveland, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $20,380.41 | $20,380.41 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Cleveland, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $20,380.41 | $20,380.41 | $300.00–$18,342.37 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $20,380.41 | $20,380.41 | $1,222.82–$17,323.35 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Spring, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $21,158.58 | $21,158.58 | $1,269.51–$17,984.79 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Spring, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $21,158.58 | $21,158.58 | $475.10–$2,938.37 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $21,581.00 | $21,581.00 | $300.00–$19,422.90 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $22,019.41 | $22,019.41 | $300.00–$19,817.47 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $22,019.41 | $22,019.41 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $22,348.25 | $22,348.25 | $300.00–$20,113.42 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $22,348.25 | $22,348.25 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Friendswood, TX Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantificat | $22,348.25 | $22,348.25 | $475.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Friendswood, TX NM MYOCRD SPECT R/S MULT | $22,348.25 | $22,348.25 | $7,821.89 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $1,252.69, median $8,153.00, highest $22,348.25 — a 17.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 20 facilities here, median $5,102.13. 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 12 of 24 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it 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 is the imaging part of a nuclear stress test. A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected, and a special camera takes pictures of blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and after exercise or a stress medicine. It is used to look for blocked heart arteries.
What the price covers
The code covers the camera images and their processing. The radioactive tracer, the stress test itself (with ECG monitoring), any stress medicine and the physician's interpretation are often billed separately.