People ask our team daily, “How much does a CT scanner cost?” That's kind of a broad question as there are many factors at play- a little like asking how much a home costs. A pop-up camper isn’t going to cost you much (you may even be able to pull one off my neighbor’s front lawn for free) but that Tudor mansion is going to put a far larger dent in your pocketbook.
We want to help you get some clarity and get the CT scanner you need for the right price. To that end, consider the four questions below to start narrowing the options down by need and by preference. Then, stick around for the video clip where we'll break down current CT scanner costs into four simple tiers.
Have a model in mind? Click here to check out our inventory of CT scanners for sale.
What types of studies will you be performing?
This will help us narrow down how many slices per rotation your scanner will need to take. For example, if you are performing a lot of cardiac studies you should probably buy a 64-slice CT due to the constant motion of the heart. On the other hand, angio and perfusion studies can often be done effectively with a 4-slice scanner. Answering this question will also determine if you need a unique software option (cardiac, fluoro, perfusion, etc).
Do you have a preferred manufacturer?
GE, Siemens, Toshiba, and Philips are the four biggest names in CT manufacturing. If you're only interested one of them, you’ve just eliminated 75% of your options. That may be worth doing if your tech is trained on all GE or if your radiologist is a diehard Siemens apologist... but in general, try to keep an open mind. For example- GE is usually about 30% more expensive to purchase than its counterparts but, in many places, can be less expensive to maintain. Considerations like this will help you look not just at a CT's sticker price, but also the cost of owning it for years to come.
Does the system you're considering meet federal standards?
For those purchasing a system for use in the US, it will be important to make sure that any prospective system meets NEMA standard XR-29. Legislation tied to these standards will affect your reimbursements.
What is your budget?
I'm sure some of you are thinking “WAIT! I can’t tell you my budget, you’ll try to sell me a camper for a mansion price!” Well, if you're not ready to have that conversation just yet, this video will help you set your expectations. Here are some guidelines for installed pricing on refurbished CT scanners:
CT Scanner Price Cost Guide
Note that these price ranges include the system itself and installation. Applications training, site drawings, and annual service agreements ("warranties" ranging from $50,000-$130,000) are additional components often built into a full "turn-key" purchase price.
The Takeaway
Like anything, after the major considerations are accounted for, final cost comes down to supply and demand. The more you limit your selection- whether by software options, manufacturer, or project schedule- the less supply you will have available. Sometimes it’s a necessity, but the more flexibility the better. For a more detailed CT quote use the button below to describe your project. Happy shopping!
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Written by Paul Crawford
Paul Crawford is the Product Manager for CT Scanners at Block Imaging. In addition to his role here, he is also a husband and a father of two. Paul believes the biggest value a business partner can provide is a partnership built on trust and strives to earn that trust with transparency in every conversation, project, and transaction he’s a part of.
