How Much Does a Nuclear Stress Test Cost?
A nuclear stress test is billed at about $1,500 to $7,000, a stress echo around $1,000 to $3,000, and a basic treadmill stress test $200 to $1,000. The single biggest reason for the spread is where you have it done, a hospital costs far more than a cardiology office for the same test.
- Site of care is the biggest lever. A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee that can double or triple the same test done at a cardiology office or imaging center.
- A nuclear test is the priciest type. If a simpler treadmill or stress-echo test is appropriate, it costs much less.
- Many plans require prior authorization for a nuclear stress test. Confirm it is approved first, or the whole billed amount can land on you.
Stress Test Cost by Type and Place
Typical billed charges. Your insurance then sets your share; a self-pay or cash price is usually well below these.
| Test | Billed range |
|---|---|
| Exercise (treadmill) stress test | $200 to $1,000 |
| Resting echocardiogram | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Stress echocardiogram | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Nuclear stress test | $1,500 to $7,000 |
| Self-pay / cash (nuclear) | $500 to $2,000 |
Lowest price: the simplest test your cardiologist approves, done at an office or imaging center rather than a hospital.
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Why the Same Test Costs So Differently
Two things decide the billed amount: which test you get, and where you get it.
- Test type. A nuclear scan involves a tracer and specialized imaging, so it is billed far more than a plain treadmill test. Your cardiologist chooses based on your situation, but it is fair to ask if a simpler test would answer the question.
- Site of care. A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee. The same nuclear study at a freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center is often half the price or less.
- Prior authorization. Nuclear tests usually need plan approval. Without it, a denial can leave you owing the full billed charge.
How to Pay Less
Ask if a simpler test will do
If clinically appropriate, an exercise or stress-echo test can answer the same question for far less than a nuclear scan. It is a reasonable question to raise with your cardiologist.
Choose an office or imaging center over a hospital
The facility fee at a hospital outpatient department is the biggest single add-on. A freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center is usually much cheaper for the identical study.
Confirm prior authorization
Make sure a nuclear test is approved by your plan before the appointment, so the claim is not denied and dropped on you.
Ask for the cash price if uninsured
Imaging centers and cardiology offices often quote a self-pay rate well below the billed charge. Get the cash price before you schedule.
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Open the cost estimatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a nuclear stress test cost?
A nuclear (myocardial perfusion) stress test is billed at roughly $1,500 to $7,000. The wide range is driven mostly by site of care: a cardiology office or independent imaging center is at the low end, while a hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee that pushes it to the high end. A self-pay or cash price is often $500 to $2,000.
How much does a regular (treadmill) stress test or stress echo cost?
A basic exercise (treadmill) stress test is billed about $200 to $1,000. A stress echocardiogram, which adds ultrasound imaging, is billed about $1,000 to $3,000, and a resting echocardiogram alone is about $1,000 to $2,000. As with the nuclear test, the office or imaging-center price is well below the hospital price.
Does insurance or Medicare cover a stress test?
Yes, when ordered for a medical reason such as chest pain, an abnormal ECG, or known heart disease. On commercial insurance you owe your deductible and coinsurance up to your yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Under Medicare Part B you pay 20% coinsurance after the deductible unless you have a supplement. Many plans require prior authorization for a nuclear stress test, so confirm it is approved first.
Why is a hospital stress test so much more expensive?
A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee on top of the physician and imaging charges, so the identical test can be billed two to three times more than at a freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center. If your cardiologist can perform or refer the test at an office or independent center, you often pay substantially less for the same study.
How can I lower the cost of a stress test?
Ask whether a lower-cost exercise or stress-echo test is appropriate before a nuclear test, have it done at a cardiology office or imaging center rather than a hospital, confirm prior authorization so the claim is not denied, and ask for the self-pay or cash price if you are uninsured. If you get a surprise or inflated bill, have it reviewed. CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates these bills with no fee unless we save you money.
More Cost Guides
Sources
- Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and hospital outpatient rates for stress testing and echocardiography (CPT 93017, 93306, 93350, 78452)
- Studies on hospital outpatient vs. freestanding imaging/cardiology site-of-care price differences
- KFF data on ACA out-of-pocket maximums (2026) and Medicare Part B cost sharing
- FAIR Health and imaging-center cash-price data for cardiac stress tests
Prices are national estimates for 2026 and vary by test type, site of care, and plan. Which test is appropriate is a medical decision made with your cardiologist. This is general cost information, not medical advice. Last updated September 16, 2026.