Once the doctor requested for a CT scan, the only thing that comes to mind is cancer. While it is true that the test can detect the disease, there are other conditions where it is useful. This time, relax and learn more about how this procedure can actually help you.
How safe is CT Scan? To give you an idea, the Philippine Children’s Medical Center installed a modern CT scan machine to help Filipino kids get quality medical service. You see, even young ones can undergo this test and be able to get treated with proper diagnosis.
What’s Your Symptom?
The doctor may ask for this test if no other methods are available to create an image of our concerned body part. In most cases, the scan will relate to the following symptoms of the patient:
- Painful body parts: you may feel it on extremities or any internal organs
- It is also mentioned that dizziness and headache is a sign which also relates to loss of balance or stabbing head pain
- Blurry vision: it can be fading vision or unable to see even with light
- Vomiting and seizures: may be related to dizziness
- Recent injuries due to accidents: possible bone fractures or muscle damages
Apart from tumor and cancer detection, the procedure is also able to tell whether there are damaged tissues, muscles and bones. Fat, organs and blood vessel problems may also be seen.
Now you might be worried about its side effects. According to medical specialists, the exposure to the machine’s radiation is not significant for you to get cancer. Proper preparation steps can help you maintain a problem free procedure.
How Much is CT Scan
In our experience, the rate of the test depends on the body part for scanning. The price of CT scan in Philippine hospitals range from Php 3,500 to Php 9,000 and above depending on the type. See the price list among hospitals for comparison. For those that require with contrast, we discovered that an additional Php 2,500 may be applied to the base price.
Cheapest CT Scan
The cheapest CT scan price in the Philippines is Php 2,200 which is available at PGH. According to our research, the price of CT scan in government hospitals is 10% cheaper compared to other facilities.
Hospitals With CT Scan and their Prices
Here is a list of prices that we gathered from popular hospitals.
Hospital | Average Price |
---|---|
Asian Hospital Medical Center (Muntinlupa) | ₱5,000 to ₱9,000 |
Camarin Doctors Medical Center (Caloocan) | ₱5,000 to ₱7,500 |
Davao Doctors Hospital (Davao) | ₱5,200 to ₱13,000 |
Capitol Medical Center (Quezon City) | ₱4,500 to ₱8,900 |
FEU Hospital (Fairview, Quezon City) | ₱5,000 to ₱9,500 |
PGH (Manila) | ₱2,200 to ₱5,800 |
Makati Medical Center | ₱7,200 to ₱15,000 |
Lung Center of the Philippines (Quezon City) | ₱4,800 to ₱8,600 |
East Avenue Medical Center | ₱4,387 to ₱5,118 |
Philippine Heart Center | ₱5,000 to ₱8,500 |
Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital | ₱4,000 to ₱5,700 |
Perpetual Help Medical Center ( Las Pinas) | ₱4,000 to ₱8,000 |
Chinese General Hospital | ₱4,000 to ₱7,900 |
UCMED (Cebu) | ₱4,000 to ₱8,900 |
UST Hospital (Manila) | ₱4,300 to ₱8,000 |
The cheapest price that we have compiled comes from East Avenue Medical Center wherein their brain CT scan for example is only Php 3,300 (base price, does not include reader’s fee).
Discounted CT Scan Price
Do you have a health card? Depending on your HMO plan, the test may only be covered up to Php 5,000 per illness per year according to Medicard’s Standard Plan. For those with more than 2 years of membership, the full amount may be covered up to MBL.
Promo Rates
Diagnostic tests such as this is covered by the senior benefits. Simply provide your ID and get up to 20% discount off your bill. Note that other procedures may not be covered.
- Grace Med – Free Creatinine for contrast
- Shinagawa – 30% off on CT Scan
Government Hospitals
For your convenience, you may proceed to any public hospitals in your area. Some government hospitals with the test include NKTI, East Avenue Medical Center, Ospital ng Maynila, Baguio General Hospital. While they may have cheaper rates, you will consume too much time getting an appointment slip. We suggest that you simply do a price comparison and choose which hospital has the cheapest price.
Price Per Body Type
Here’s the average rates of the test according to body part.
Scan Type | Average Price (Php) |
---|---|
Abdomen | 3,900 |
Cranial | 4,000 |
Cranial with contrast | 4,500 |
Brain | 5,000 to 8,000 |
Cervical Spine | 5,200 |
Cervical Spine with Contrast | 7,000 |
Chest (plain) | 5,000 |
Chest with Contrast | 6,500 |
Coronary Artery | 8,000 |
CT Angiogram | 11,800 |
CT Urogram | 8,000 |
Extremities (plain) | 5,700 |
Extremities with contrast | 8,700 |
Facial plain | 5,700 |
Head | 4,500 to 5,500 |
Legs, Shoulders, Feet, Arm, Hands | 5,700 |
Lumbar plain | 6,300 |
Lumbar | 4,600 |
Lumbosacral | 5,000 |
Lungs | 7,000 |
Mastoid | 5,700 |
Neck | 5,500 |
Orbits | 5,912 |
Paranasal | 6,000 |
Pelvis | 5,500 |
Pituitary Gland (with contrast) | 7,500 |
Sinus | 6,500 |
Temporal Bone | 5,700 |
Whole Body | 25,000 |
Upper abdomen | 6,300 |
Thoracic spine plain | 6,300 |
Triphasic liver scan | 12,000 |
Which is cheaper compared to MRI? In most cases, a CT scan is cheaper than MRI since the latter involves a different machine. For the most part, MRI is used to create images with great detail especially in the tissue level. The doctor will recommend the most appropriate for your condition.
Some hospitals are even providing free CT scan services depending on whether you are indigent, PWD or have any other qualifications. Sometimes, local government hospitals may provide these for free as a program to their constituents. However, you may need to submit some documents in order to qualify. For example, requests from hospitals, DSWD and PCSO certificates may help.
How much is the price for a home service? The test requires a huge space as well as a very sensitive equipment. It may not be possible for a home based scanning. However, mobile facilities of hospitals may have it available in different locations..
Payment Terms
Installment plan to pay for the test is also possible through a credit card. Since the diagnostic procedure is expensive, one may opt to use a card and convert the amount into monthly payments.
Information may change without notice. Prices are based on external resources.
References: WebMD, Healthline,
https://eamc.doh.gov.ph/index.php/9-contact-us/161-hospital-fees#ct-scan
https://djrmh.doh.gov.ph/rates-and-fees/radiology-fees
About the Author: The MedicalPinas team publishes articles to help Filipinos find info on various medical services and their prices.
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