Price Checker / CPT 71271
How much does CT Scan Thorax Lung Cancer Screening C- cost?
CPT 71271 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 4.5x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$480–$560
What this should cost
With insurance
~$990
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$700
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $2,323 is $1,803 over the fair price (about 4.5x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for CT Scan Thorax Lung Cancer Screening C-
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23330 Emergency Center, LLC d/b/a/ Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX | $3,430 | — | 2417% |
| Kearney County Hospital , NE | $2,309 | $1,847 | 1594% |
| Monroe Surgical Hospital MONROE, LA | $2,290 | $390 | 1580% |
| Putnam County Memorial Hospital UNIONVILLE, MO | $1,923 | $1,346 | 1311% |
| Bear Lake Memorial Hospital MONTPELIER, ID | $1,664 | $1,414 | 1121% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About CT Scan Thorax Lung Cancer Screening C-
CPT code 71271 refers to ct scan thorax lung cancer screening c- (billing description: "Ct thorax lung cancer scr c-"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $136 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $136 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.