A coronary calcium score is a number from a CT scan of the heart that measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.
- Typical price
- $100 to $150; range $49 to $599 [1]
- Example hospital price
- $99 self-pay, prescription required (Memorial Healthcare System, FL) [3]
- Medicare
- Original Medicare generally does not cover it [1]
- Guideline use
- Adults 40 to 75, LDL 70 to 189, 10-year risk 7.5% to under 20% [2]
- Cleerly CCTA example
- $2,000 at CPA Imaging, NYC [4]
What you will pay
| Channel | Price | What is included | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cash price (national) | $100 to $150; range $49 to $599 | Calcium score CT | GoodRx, Aug 2025 | [1] |
| Hospital self-pay example | $99 | Heart scan; physician prescription required | Oct 17 2026 | [3] |
| Ezra Heart CT | $349 | Calcium score CT | Oct 17 2026 | [5] |
| CCTA with Cleerly (NYC) | $2,000 | Contrast CT angiogram with AI plaque analysis | Oct 17 2026 | [4] |
| CCTA with Cleerly ischemia (NYC) | $2,500 | Above plus ischemia analysis | Oct 17 2026 | [4] |
When the guideline uses a calcium score
The 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline, as summarized by the American College of Cardiology, uses the score for adults 40 to 75 with LDL cholesterol of 70 to 189 mg/dL and a 10-year heart risk of 7.5% to under 20% when the statin decision is uncertain [2].
| Score | What the guideline suggests |
|---|---|
| 0 | May justify holding off on a statin, except in smokers, people with diabetes or a strong family history [2] |
| 1 to 99 | Favors a statin, especially at age 55 and over [2] |
| 100 or more, or 75th percentile or higher | Statin indicated [2] |
Calcium score vs Cleerly
Cleerly is AI software that reads a coronary CT angiogram (CCTA), a contrast scan, to measure the amount and type of plaque and any narrowing [6]. That is a different and more expensive test than a calcium score. Medicare set a national payment of just over $1,000 for AI plaque analysis from vendors including Cleerly, HeartFlow and Elucid starting in 2026 [6]. One New York imaging center listed CCTA with Cleerly at $2,000 [4].
Where to get a calcium score near you
- Hospital heart programs often sell a self-pay scan. Memorial Healthcare System in Florida lists $99 and requires a physician prescription [3].
- Ezra sells a Heart CT for $349 alongside its MRI scans [5]; see Ezra vs Prenuvo for its MRI prices.
- Your primary doctor or a preventive cardiologist can order one and help read it against the guideline.
Hidden costs
- A prescription or doctor visit may be required first, as at Memorial Healthcare System [3].
- Ask what follow-up tests would cost if your score is high; those are billed separately.
- Ask who reviews the full CT image and what happens if something outside the heart is noted.
Insurance and Medicare
GoodRx reports Original Medicare generally does not cover a calcium score scan [1]. Some private plans differ, so ask yours. Medicare does pay for AI plaque analysis of CCTA from 2026 when that test is ordered [6].
Compared with other heart and longevity tests
For heart risk, a calcium score costs far less than a full body MRI ($999 and up) and it has a defined role in the ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline [2]. Fitness testing adds another angle; see the VO2 max test. For broader programs, see the longevity clinic guide and concierge cardiologists.
Questions people ask
How much does a coronary calcium score cost?
Does Medicare cover a calcium score?
GoodRx reports Original Medicare generally does not cover a coronary calcium score scan [1]. Check your plan if you have Medicare Advantage or private insurance.
Who should get a calcium score?
The ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline uses it for adults 40 to 75 with LDL 70 to 189 mg/dL and a 10-year risk of 7.5% to under 20% when the statin choice is uncertain. It is not recommended when risk is 20% or higher [2].
What does a calcium score of 0 mean?
Under the ACC/AHA guideline, a score of 0 may justify holding off on a statin for adults at intermediate risk, except smokers, people with diabetes and those with a strong family history [2].
What is a good calcium score?
The guideline treats 0 as lowest risk; 1 to 99 favors a statin, especially at 55 and over; 100 or more, or the 75th percentile or higher, means a statin is indicated [2].
How much does a Cleerly heart scan cost?
Do I need a doctor's order for a calcium score?
Often yes. Memorial Healthcare System lists its $99 self-pay heart scan as requiring a physician prescription [3].
Sources
6 cited
- Coronary artery calcium scan cost. GoodRx, Aug 28, 2025.
- 2018 cholesterol guideline and the judicious use of coronary calcium score. American College of Cardiology, Aug 20, 2019.
- Heart scan. Memorial Healthcare System, accessed 2026-10-17.
- Cleerly program. CPA Imaging, accessed 2026-10-17.
- Ezra scans and prices. Ezra, accessed 2026-10-17.
- Medicare to pay for AI heart scan analysis from HeartFlow, Cleerly, Elucid. STAT, Nov 11, 2025.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.