CT Scanner Cost & Price Guide (2026)

How Much Does a CT Scanner Cost?

CT scanner cost is driven mainly by slice count and condition (new vs. refurbished). The figures below are Medical Outfitters ranges for a system delivered, installed and warrantied. Headline prices published elsewhere are often for the equipment alone, before delivery, rigging, installation and current tariffs, so they read lower than a real all-in cost. Every Medical Outfitters system is quoted individually. Typical price ranges are:

A certified refurbished CT scanner typically saves 40–60% versus new while delivering comparable image quality. Browse CT scanners for sale »

The same question arrives in many forms: how much is a CT machine, how much is a CT scanner, how much does a CT scan machine cost, how much for a CT scan machine, CT scan machine price in dollars, CT machine price, CT scanner price, price of a CT scanner, computed tomography scanner price, computed tomography machine price, CAT scan machine price, or simply the cost of a CT machine. They all point at the table above. The one distinction that matters is the slice count, because a 16-slice CT scan machine price and a 128-slice one are different classes of purchase, and the second is condition. Asked as a CAT scan machine cost, CAT scanner cost or CT scan device price, the answer is unchanged: CAT scan and CT scan are the same exam on the same equipment. In dollars, most community hospitals and imaging centers land in the refurbished 64-slice band, $175,000 to $375,000 delivered and installed.

The four price tiers, with the models that sit in them

Model names make the table concrete. The scanners below are grouped by the slice class they are bought in; the price band is the class band from the table, not a per-model list price, because the same model can be quoted at either end of its band depending on tube life, software and condition.

Tier 1: 16-slice, $85,000 to $185,000 refurbished, $350,000 to $525,000 new

Routine head, chest, abdomen, spine and extremity CT for clinics, urgent care, emergency departments and lower-volume sites that do not need cardiac work. The value choice here is a refurbished GE BrightSpeed (Elite and Excel), GE LightSpeed 16 or Siemens SOMATOM Scope rebuilt through MO Select. The compact Fujifilm Supria 32, which we sell new for veterinary practices in the United States, sits between this tier and the next: a 32-slice wide-bore system in a room older scanners cannot fit. Human-imaging sites that want a new compact scanner start at the 64-slice Supria.

Tier 2: 64-slice, $175,000 to $375,000 refurbished, $625,000 to $975,000 new

The workhorse for hospitals and imaging centers, and the most common system we install, because it adds coronary CT angiography and calcium scoring without the price of a premium platform. Refurbished GE Optima CT660 and GE LightSpeed VCT 64 systems anchor this tier; on the new side, the Fujifilm SCENARIA View in its 64-slice configuration. Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS, Philips Brilliance 64 and Canon Aquilion 64 and Prime systems appear in the same class on the used market.

Tier 3: 128-slice, $350,000 to $625,000 refurbished, $1,050,000 to $1,650,000 new

High throughput, advanced cardiac and low-dose protocols for busy or specialized facilities. Sold new: the Fujifilm Supria 128, the SCENARIA View in its 128-slice configuration and the SCENARIA View Focus Edition, and the Fujifilm FCT iStream 128 for high-volume sites. The GE Optima CT660 with the 128-slice option, Siemens Definition AS 128 and Philips Incisive 128 are the refurbished and used-market equivalents.

Tier 4: 256-slice and higher, $625,000 and up refurbished, $1,750,000 to $2,900,000 and up new

Whole-organ coverage in a single rotation and dual-source designs: the GE Revolution family, Canon Aquilion ONE (320 detector rows), Siemens SOMATOM Force and Drive, and Philips Brilliance iCT. A hospital purchase with the throughput and the cardiac, stroke and perfusion caseload to carry it, not a first scanner for an outpatient center. We source and install these on request.

What is the average cost of a CT scanner?

Averages hide the class split, so use them carefully. Across the systems we quote, the refurbished 64-slice band is the center of the market: $175,000 to $375,000 delivered and installed, with $275,000 a fair midpoint for a well-configured system with a documented tube. A 16-slice refurbished system averages around the low six figures; a new 128-slice system averages well over a million dollars. If someone quotes you an average CT scanner price without saying the slice count and the condition, the number is not usable.

CT Scanner Price by Brand

Brand moves a quote less than slice class does. A refurbished 64-slice GE and a refurbished 64-slice Siemens sit in the same $175,000 to $375,000 band; what separates them is the tube, the software licenses, the support horizon and how the specific unit was rebuilt. Here is how the manufacturers sit in the market we sell into; the full comparison with every model by slice count is in CT scanner manufacturers compared.

GE Healthcare CT scanner prices

The largest installed base on the used market, which keeps parts and engineers plentiful and refurbished prices competitive. A refurbished GE BrightSpeed 16 or LightSpeed 16 lands in the 16-slice band, an Optima CT660 or LightSpeed VCT 64 in the 64-slice band, and the Revolution family in the top tier. GE systems are refurbished and warrantied through MO Select.

Model price guides: what each platform costs refurbished in 2026, its configurations and what to check before you buy: GE LightSpeed (16, Pro 32, VCT 64, RT16), GE Optima CT660, GE BrightSpeed (Elite, Edge, Excel), the GE Revolution family and the Toshiba and Canon Aquilion family.

Siemens Healthineers CT scanner prices

Siemens SOMATOM Scope and Emotion systems are the 16-slice value class; Definition AS units cover 64 and 128 slices; Force and Drive dual-source scanners are top-tier hospital purchases. A Siemens CT scanner price follows the same class bands as GE, with the SOMATOM go. platform commanding a premium on the used market for its newer software. We rebuild SOMATOM Scope systems through MO Select.

Fujifilm CT scanner prices (formerly Hitachi Medical)

Sold new by Medical Outfitters as an authorized dealer. The Supria 128 and its 64-slice sibling are compact wide-bore systems built for rooms and budgets that a full-size scanner overruns (the Supria 32 is sold for veterinary use in the United States); the SCENARIA View (64 or 128 slices), the SCENARIA View Focus Edition and the FCT iStream 128 cover hospital and high-volume work. New Fujifilm pricing follows the new-system column of the table, and the compact Supria line is the lowest-priced route to a new Fujifilm CT.

Philips, Canon (Toshiba) and Hitachi CT scanner prices

Philips Brilliance, Ingenuity and Incisive systems, Canon Aquilion Prime and Aquilion ONE scanners and older Hitachi Scenaria and Supria units are common on the used market and price by class like everything else. We service all of them, whether or not the system came from us, and we compare them against the systems we carry on request. For a fuller comparison, read CT scanner brands compared: GE, Siemens, Philips, Canon and Fujifilm.

What Affects the Price of a CT Scanner?

Two CT scanners with the same slice count can be a hundred thousand dollars apart. These are the things that move a CT scanner machine cost, roughly in order of impact.

• Slice count and detector width The biggest factor. 16, 64 and 128-plus slices are three price classes before anything else is considered, and wider detectors cover more anatomy per rotation
• Tube condition The X-ray tube is the most expensive consumable on the system. A used scanner with a fresh tube and a used scanner near the end of its tube life are not the same price, however alike they look
• Rotation speed and generator power Faster gantries and higher kW generators cost more and matter most for cardiac and trauma work
• Software packages Cardiac, dual energy, iterative dose reduction, perfusion and advanced visualization are licensed options priced separately, and they do not always transfer with a used system
• Condition and warranty New with a manufacturer warranty at the top, certified refurbished with a dealer warranty in the middle, as-is used at the bottom
• Platform support Whether the manufacturer still supports the software and supplies parts matters more than the year of manufacture

Ask for the CT scan equipment cost with the injector, workstation and software you actually need included. A bare system price and a working configuration are different numbers, and the gap between two quotes is usually what is in them rather than the scanner. Gantry bore size also matters for the buyer: wide-bore systems (80 cm and up) cost more but handle bariatric patients and radiation-therapy planning that a standard 70 cm bore cannot.

CT Slice Count Explained (16 vs 32 vs 64 vs 128)

Slice count is the headline spec when buying a CT scanner. It refers to how many image slices the scanner can produce per rotation. On some systems, including the Fujifilm SCENARIA View and Supria 128, a 64-channel detector reconstructs 128 slices, so compare detector channels and tube condition as well as the headline number.

16-Slice

Cost-effective and reliable for routine head, body, and extremity imaging. Ideal for clinics and lower-volume facilities. Refurbished GE BrightSpeed, LightSpeed 16 and Siemens SOMATOM Scope systems are the value choice; $85,000 to $185,000 delivered and installed.

32-Slice

A step up in speed and coverage for general radiology and oncology follow-up in a compact footprint. The new Fujifilm Supria 32 is the system we sell most often in this class, for veterinary practices in the United States; human-imaging sites in this class step up to the 64-slice Supria, whose wide bore makes it a common choice for radiation-therapy planning.

64-Slice

The versatile workhorse for most hospitals and imaging centers, capable of cardiac and vascular studies. Refurbished, $175,000 to $375,000; new, $625,000 to $975,000.

128-Slice and Higher

High throughput and advanced cardiac, vascular, and low-dose imaging for busy or specialized facilities. Refurbished from $350,000, new from $1,050,000. At 256 slices and above, whole-organ coverage in one rotation and dual-source designs take the price into the top tier. For a tier-by-tier walkthrough with diagrams, see our guide to CT scanner types by slice count.

What Is Included in a CT Scanner Price?

The table above gives system prices. When you compare quotes, compare the scope as well as the number.

• Quoted with the system Gantry, patient table, operator console and workstation, the software packages listed, and the tube as specified
• Quoted per project Contrast injector, lead shielding for the room, electrical work and any chiller or cooling upgrade, floor loading checks, rigging and delivery, applications training, and the first service contract

Medical Outfitters prices are all-in for a system delivered, installed and warrantied, which is why they sit above the equipment-only figures published elsewhere. We handle delivery, rigging and installation with our own crews across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and if you are replacing a scanner rather than adding one, the system you retire may be worth something against the new one; we buy used imaging equipment.

Three questions settle most quote disputes before they start. Does the price include the tube, and with how many scan seconds on it? Which software licenses transfer, and which are quoted separately? Who is responsible for the room, and what is the date the scanner is guaranteed to image a patient?

How Much Does a Used or Refurbished CT Scanner Cost?

A used CT scan machine price depends on three things before the model name: tube life remaining, detector condition and software level. A refurbished CT scanner from Medical Outfitters, which means inspected, tested to specification and warrantied, runs 40 to 60 percent below the new price of the same class: roughly $85,000 to $185,000 for a 16-slice and $175,000 to $375,000 for a 64-slice, delivered and installed. As-is used CT scanner price sits below that, for buyers who have their own service arrangement and can absorb a tube replacement.

As-is used

The lowest price. The scanner is tested and inspected as it stands, the tube and detector are sold in their current condition, and the buyer arranges service. It suits a site that already has an engineer on contract and a tube budget in reserve; it is the wrong purchase for a first scanner.

Cosmetic refurbishment

Some sellers clean, repaint and re-cover a system and call it refurbished. Nothing inside has been tested to specification or replaced. Ask what was done; if the answer is paint and panels, price it as a used system.

Certified refurbished (MO Select)

Inspected, tested to specification, worn parts replaced, tube condition documented, delivered, installed and calibrated by our own crews, and covered by a written parts and labor warranty. This is the MO Select standard, and it is what the refurbished column of the price table describes.

What you give up against new is the latest dose-reduction and reconstruction software and a long factory warranty. What you gain is a proven platform at a fraction of the price, which is why a refurbished 64-slice usually delivers more capability per dollar than a new 16-slice. The words matter: refurbished versus OEM certified are not the same thing. Current stock is in our used and refurbished CT scanners for sale.

Site Preparation, Shielding, Power and Installation Costs

The purchase price is the first line of the project. The room, the power and the compliance work sit next to it, and on a replacement project the removal of the old scanner does too. None of these are in an equipment-only quote, and all of them are quoted per project because no two rooms are alike.

Site preparation and shielding

A CT scanner needs a lead-shielded room sized for the gantry, table travel and service access, a separate control room with a leaded viewing window, and a physicist’s shielding design that the state will accept. Existing X-ray rooms often convert; a room that has never held imaging equipment needs the shielding built.

Power, cooling and floor loading

A CT draws a large, brief load on every exam and needs dedicated three-phase power sized for it, a chiller or adequate HVAC for the gantry heat load, and a floor that carries the gantry weight. Compact systems such as the Supria 32 and Supria 128 were designed to fit rooms and electrical services that older scanners cannot.

Delivery, rigging and installation

Door widths, turns, elevators and floor loading on the path from the truck to the room are checked before delivery day. Medical Outfitters manages delivery, rigging and installation as part of every CT purchase, with our own crews from Miami across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, then calibration, image-quality testing and applications hand-off before the first patient. On a replacement project we de-install and remove the old scanner and handle the tube and gantry logistics. Learn about installation and rigging »

Accreditation and compliance

Non-hospital facilities must be accredited by a CMS-designated organization (ACR, IAC, RadSite or The Joint Commission) to bill Medicare for the technical component of CT, a requirement in force since 1 January 2012. CT scanners that do not meet the NEMA XR-29 dose-optimization standard carry a Medicare payment reduction on applicable exams: 5 percent in 2016 and 15 percent from 2017 onward (CMS Survey and Certification letter 16-19). Both belong in the budget: an older scanner that fails XR-29 is cheaper to buy and more expensive to bill.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a CT Scanner?

The CT machine price is the first line of a ten-year budget. The lines that follow it:

• The tube Rated in scan seconds, it is the single largest service event in a scanner’s life and the reason a service contract with tube coverage costs more than one without
• Service contract Priced per year as a percentage of the system value, with or without the tube, with or without parts; the choice sets your exposure to a bad year
• Power and cooling A CT draws a large, brief load on every exam and needs the electrical supply and room cooling sized for it
• Contrast and injector Consumables scale with volume and are usually reimbursed separately
• Staff and QC A CT technologist, the physicist survey and the daily quality checks that keep the site accredited

How much does a CT machine cost to run, then? For most sites the service contract and the tube dominate, and together they are why the running cost of a scanner over a decade can approach its purchase price. Build the service quote into the purchase decision rather than after it; our service and repair team covers systems we sold and systems bought elsewhere, backed by more than 20,000 parts in stock.

How Many CT Scans Pay for the Machine?

The practical way to read CT pricing is in exams, not dollars. Take a refurbished 64-slice at $275,000 delivered and installed, the middle of our range. Put in your own blended net revenue per exam after the radiologist read and contrast; if it is $150, the equipment line is recovered after about 1,830 exams. At ten exams a day, five days a week, that is roughly nine months. At five a day, about eighteen months. Service, tube reserve, staff and the room sit on top, so read this as the equipment line only.

Two things follow. A refurbished 64-slice pays back faster than its price suggests because CT volume is steady and reimbursed on every exam, which is why it is the most common purchase we install. And the same arithmetic is why the most expensive CT scan machine in the table, a new 128-slice or higher system at $1,050,000 and up, is a hospital purchase with the throughput to carry it, not a first scanner for an outpatient center. Send us your expected volume and payer mix and we will run the numbers on a specific system.

How Much Does a CT Scan Cost? (The Exam, Not the Machine)

Many readers arrive at this page asking a different question: not what the machine costs, but what the exam costs. They are two different prices, and it is worth separating them, because the exam price is what the machine earns.

According to CoveredUSA’s May 2026 national pricing guide, which draws on the CMS 2026 Medicare fee schedules, hospital price-transparency files and FAIR Health data, a CT scan typically costs $300 to $3,275 without insurance in 2026. The same scan runs about $300 to $1,000 at an independent imaging center and $1,200 to $3,275 in a hospital outpatient department; contrast adds roughly $100 to $400; and Medicare pays about $185 for the scan at an independent center and about $340 at a hospital outpatient department, with the patient owing 20 percent coinsurance after the Part B deductible.

For a facility, those numbers are the revenue side of the payback table above. The gap between what an independent center is paid and what a hospital department is paid is also why outpatient CT volume keeps moving to freestanding sites, and why a refurbished 64-slice in a well-run imaging center is the most common scanner we deliver.

If you are pricing the scanner rather than the scan, the table at the top of this page is the answer: $85,000 to $2.9 million or more depending on slice count and condition, and a quote takes a day.

Portable, Mobile, Cone Beam and Breast CT Costs

Portable and mobile CT scanner cost

Two different things share the name. A mobile CT is a full scanner installed in a trailer, used to add capacity, cover a room rebuild or serve a second site; the scanner inside follows the slice-class bands above, and the trailer, its shielding, power and transport are quoted per project. A portable or point-of-care CT is a small-bore head or extremity unit that rolls to the patient, priced as its own class. Both are quoted individually; talk to our mobile imaging team about rental and purchase routes.

Cone beam and extremity CT cost

Cone beam systems for dental, ENT and orthopedic imaging are a different price class from diagnostic CT, with lower dose, a smaller footprint and lighter shielding requirements. The Planmed Verity is the extremity cone beam CT we carry for orthopedic and weight-bearing imaging; see the cone beam CT category for the current options.

Breast CT

The Koning Vera breast CT images the breast without compression and is bought by breast centers as a complement to mammography, not as a replacement for a diagnostic CT scanner. It is quoted separately from the ranges on this page.

PET/CT and micro CT

A PET/CT combines a CT with a PET detector ring and is a different purchase again: see our PET/CT scanner cost guide. Micro CT is a laboratory and preclinical instrument, not a clinical scanner, and is outside the scope of this guide.

What Is a CT Scanner and What Is It Used For?

A CT (computed tomography) scanner, sometimes called a CAT scan machine, combines a rotating X-ray source and detectors inside a ring-shaped gantry. As the patient passes through the gantry on a motorized table, the system captures hundreds of images and reconstructs them into detailed cross-sectional slices. CT scanners are essential for diagnosing trauma, cancer, vascular disease, and many other conditions, and are a core piece of equipment in hospitals, imaging centers, and surgical facilities.

CT scanners support a wide range of clinical work, including:

• Trauma and emergency imaging: rapid full-body assessment
• Oncology: tumor detection, staging, and treatment planning
• Cardiac and vascular: coronary CT angiography and calcium scoring
• Neurology: stroke, hemorrhage, and head injury evaluation
• Orthopedics: complex fracture and joint assessment

CT and MRI are both cross-sectional imaging methods, but they work differently. A CT scanner uses X-rays and is fast, making it ideal for trauma, lung, and bone imaging. An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves, with no ionizing radiation, and excels at soft tissue, brain, and joint detail. Many facilities operate both. If you are also evaluating MRI, see our MRI machine cost guide and our MRI vs CT comparison.

CT Scanners We Carry

Medical Outfitters carries a range of diagnostic and specialty CT scanners:

• Fujifilm SCENARIA View: a premium 64 to 128-slice diagnostic CT platform (SCENARIA View and the SCENARIA View Focus Edition)
• Fujifilm Supria: efficient whole-body CT in the Supria 128 and Supria 64 configurations, with the Supria 32 for veterinary practices in the United States
• Fujifilm FCT iStream 128: a high-throughput 128-slice system
• Planmed Verity: a cone beam extremity CT for orthopedic and weight-bearing imaging
• Koning Vera: breast CT without compression
• MO Select refurbished CT: GE Optima CT660, GE LightSpeed, GE BrightSpeed and Siemens SOMATOM Scope

You may also encounter Philips, Canon (Toshiba), and Hitachi CT scanners on the used market. Our team can help you compare those against the systems we carry. Every model above is listed with its slice count and configuration in the CT scanner model grid, and Florida buyers can see delivery and installation routes on our Florida imaging equipment page.

How to Choose the Right CT Scanner for Your Budget

Match the scanner to your case mix and patient volume, then weigh new vs. refurbished against your budget. By facility type:

• Imaging center: a refurbished 64-slice, $175,000 to $375,000, is the system most centers buy; it covers cardiac and vascular work and pays back fastest on outpatient volume
• Hospital emergency department: 64 or 128 slices, new or refurbished, with the trauma, stroke and cardiac protocols the department runs; 256-slice and dual-source systems where whole-organ and perfusion work justify them
• Urgent care and clinics: a refurbished 16-slice, $85,000 to $185,000, or, for veterinary practices in the United States, a new Supria 32 where the room is small and the caseload is routine
• Oncology and radiation-therapy planning: a wide-bore system such as the Supria 64 or Supria 128, sized for planning positions and large patients
• Orthopedic and sports medicine: the Planmed Verity extremity cone beam CT, at a different price class and room requirement from diagnostic CT
• Breast centers: the Koning Vera breast CT alongside mammography

Key takeaways:

• 16-slice for routine imaging in clinics and lower-volume sites
• 64-slice for the typical hospital or imaging center workload
• 128-slice and higher for high throughput and advanced cardiac imaging
• Refurbished for 40–60% savings with comparable image quality
• Plan the room and installation early to avoid delays

Weighing CT against MRI rather than sizing a CT? Our MRI vs CT comparison covers the clinical difference and what changes for the building. Pricing an X-ray room or a PET/CT as well? See the X-ray machine cost guide and the PET/CT scanner cost guide.

CT Scanner Installation, Service and Maintenance

A CT scanner needs a properly prepared room: adequate floor space and load capacity, lead shielding for radiation safety, climate control, and sufficient electrical power. Planning for delivery, rigging, and installation early prevents costly delays. Medical Outfitters manages delivery, rigging, and installation as part of every CT purchase. Learn about installation and rigging » Response times, what a preventive maintenance visit covers, tube replacement and contract options are on our CT scanner service, repair and maintenance page.

CT scanners require regular preventive maintenance and tube monitoring to stay compliant and minimize downtime. The X-ray tube is the largest single running cost of a CT scanner, so tube condition and replacement terms are part of every quote we write. Service contracts, repairs and preventive maintenance are available for GE, Siemens, Philips, Fujifilm and Hitachi scanners whether or not the system was purchased from us, backed by more than 20,000 parts in stock and the engineers who rebuild our MO Select systems. Learn about our service and repair options »

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a CT scanner cost?

A CT scanner costs about $85,000 for a refurbished 16-slice system and up to $2.9 million or more for a new high-slice scanner, delivered and installed. A refurbished 64-slice CT, the most common purchase, typically runs $175,000 to $375,000.

How much does a CT machine cost?

The same as a CT scanner; CT machine, CT scan machine and CT scanner describe the same equipment. Refurbished systems run from about $85,000 for a 16-slice to $625,000 and up for 256 slices and higher; new systems run from about $350,000 to $2.9 million or more.

How much does a CT scan machine cost?

A CT scan machine costs about $85,000 to $185,000 for a refurbished 16-slice, $175,000 to $375,000 for a refurbished 64-slice, and $350,000 to $625,000 for a refurbished 128-slice, delivered and installed. New systems run from $350,000 for a 16-slice to $2.9 million or more for a 256-slice and higher scanner.

What is the price of a CT scanner by slice count?

Refurbished: 16-slice $85,000 to $185,000; 64-slice $175,000 to $375,000; 128-slice $350,000 to $625,000; 256-slice and higher from $625,000. New: 16-slice $350,000 to $525,000; 64-slice $625,000 to $975,000; 128-slice $1,050,000 to $1,650,000; 256-slice and higher $1,750,000 to $2,900,000 and up. All figures are Medical Outfitters all-in ranges.

What is the average cost of a CT scanner?

The center of the market is the refurbished 64-slice band, $175,000 to $375,000 delivered and installed, with about $275,000 a fair midpoint for a well-configured system. An average quoted without the slice count and the condition is not usable, because a 16-slice and a 128-slice scanner are different classes of purchase.

How much is a CT machine for a small clinic or urgent care?

Most clinics and urgent care sites buy a refurbished 16-slice system at $85,000 to $185,000 delivered and installed, or a new compact system such as the 64-slice Fujifilm Supria where the room is small and the caseload is routine (in the United States the Supria 32 is sold for veterinary use only).

How much does a 64-slice CT scanner cost?

A refurbished 64-slice CT scanner costs $175,000 to $375,000 and a new one $625,000 to $975,000, delivered, installed and warrantied. It is the most common system we install because it adds cardiac and vascular work without the price of a premium platform.

How much does a 128-slice CT scanner cost?

A refurbished 128-slice CT scanner costs $350,000 to $625,000; a new 128-slice system such as the Fujifilm Supria 128 or SCENARIA View costs $1,050,000 to $1,650,000, delivered and installed.

How much does a new 128-slice CT scanner cost?

$1,050,000 to $1,650,000 delivered, installed and warrantied, depending on the platform and the software packages included. A new 256-slice and higher system runs $1,750,000 to $2,900,000 and up.

How much does a used CT scanner cost?

A used CT scanner price depends on tube life, detector condition and software level more than on the year. Refurbished, inspected and warrantied systems from Medical Outfitters run 40 to 60 percent below new, and as-is used systems sit below that for buyers with their own service arrangement.

Is a refurbished CT scanner worth it?

Yes. A certified refurbished CT scanner saves 40 to 60 percent versus new with comparable image quality, provided it is fully tested and backed by a warranty. Ask what was done to the system: a cosmetic refurbishment is paint and panels, a certified refurbishment is tested to specification with worn parts replaced.

How much does a CAT scan machine cost?

The same as a CT scanner, because a CAT scan and a CT scan are the same exam on the same equipment. Refurbished systems run from about $85,000 for a 16-slice and new systems from about $350,000, with slice count and condition setting the price.

How much does a GE or Siemens CT scanner cost?

GE and Siemens systems price by slice class like every other brand: a refurbished GE BrightSpeed 16 or Siemens SOMATOM Scope in the $85,000 to $185,000 band, a refurbished GE Optima CT660 or Siemens Definition AS 64 in the $175,000 to $375,000 band. Medical Outfitters refurbishes both brands through MO Select with a written warranty.

How much does a portable or mobile CT scanner cost?

A mobile CT in a trailer holds a full scanner that follows the slice-class bands; the trailer, shielding, power and transport are quoted per project, for rental or purchase. A portable point-of-care head or extremity CT is its own price class. Both are quoted individually.

How much does a CT scan cost?

The exam, not the machine: according to CoveredUSA’s May 2026 national pricing guide, a CT scan typically costs $300 to $3,275 without insurance in the United States, about $300 to $1,000 at an independent imaging center and $1,200 to $3,275 in a hospital outpatient department, with contrast adding $100 to $400. Medicare pays about $185 to $340 depending on the setting.

Why is a CT scanner so expensive?

The X-ray tube, the detector array, the high-power generator and the reconstruction software are each engineered components with few suppliers, and the system must hold calibration to a medical standard for a decade. Add lead shielding, three-phase power, cooling and a delivery path, and a working CT suite costs far more than the gantry alone.

How much does a CT tube cost?

The tube is the single largest service event in a scanner’s life and the most expensive consumable on the system. It is priced by model and by its scan-second rating, which is why a service contract with tube coverage costs more than one without. Ask for the tube terms in writing before you compare quotes.

What does a CT scanner quote include?

With the system: gantry, patient table, operator console and workstation, the software packages listed and the tube as specified. Per project: contrast injector, lead shielding, electrical work and any chiller or cooling upgrade, floor loading checks, rigging and delivery, applications training and the first service contract. Medical Outfitters quotes are all-in for a system delivered, installed and warrantied.

How much does CT scanner installation cost?

Delivery, rigging, installation, calibration and image-quality testing are included in a Medical Outfitters system price. Site preparation, shielding, electrical work and cooling are quoted per project after a site survey, because no two rooms are alike.

How much does a CT machine cost to run?

The tube and the service contract dominate. The X-ray tube is the largest single service event in a scanner’s life, service contracts are priced per year with or without tube coverage, and power, cooling, contrast, staff and quality control sit on top. Over a decade the running cost can approach the purchase price, so the service quote belongs in the buying decision.

How many CT scans does it take to pay for the machine?

As an illustration, a $275,000 refurbished 64-slice is recovered after about 1,830 exams at $150 net per exam, which is roughly nine months at ten exams a day or eighteen months at five a day, before service, tube reserve, staff and the room. Put your own reimbursement figures in to get a number for your site.

How long does a CT scanner last?

Plan on a ten-year budget. Whether the manufacturer still supports the software and supplies parts matters more than the year of manufacture, and a scanner with a documented tube and current platform support can be refurbished and resold at the end of a first owner’s cycle.

What does slice count mean on a CT scanner?

Slice count is the number of image slices captured per rotation. Higher slice counts (64, 128, or more) mean faster scans, finer detail, and the ability to perform cardiac and vascular studies. Compare detector channels as well as the headline number.

What is the difference between a CT scan and an MRI?

A CT scanner uses X-rays and is fast and excellent for trauma, lung, and bone imaging, while an MRI uses magnetic fields with no radiation and excels at soft tissue and brain detail. An MRI machine costs more to buy and to site; see our MRI machine cost guide.