X-Ray Cost in Ghana
What you pay with NHIS, as a cash patient at public and mission hospitals, and at private hospitals in Accra and Kumasi — plus NHIA tariffs for X-ray, CT and MRI. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much is an X-ray in Ghana?
For active NHIS members, X-rays are covered at accredited public, CHAG (mission) and private facilities. Paying cash, a basic X-ray costs approximately GHS 50–200 (≈$4–$17) at public hospitals and GHS 100–400 or more (≈$8–$34+) at private hospitals in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. NHIA itself pays diagnostic centres GHS 37.81 for a one-region X-ray and GHS 58.26 for two regions under its published tariff. Visa and employment medical X-rays are not covered by NHIS.
Quick Overview
Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), run by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), is funded mainly by the National Health Insurance Levy (2.5% added to VAT), part of SSNIT contributions and members' premiums. At the end of 2024 it had 18.47 million active members (about 56% of the population). Its benefit package covers outpatient and inpatient investigations, explicitly including X-rays and ultrasound. Facilities are paid under G-DRG tariffs; the current published tariff booklets took effect in October 2022, and NHIA has been reviewing them with World Bank support. Many private hospitals do not accept NHIS for all services, so uninsured and privately insured patients pay cash prices that vary widely by facility.
🏥 NHIS member
- X-rays and ultrasound in the benefit package
- Accredited public, CHAG and private providers
- Keep membership active (renew yearly)
- Some facilities charge for non-covered items
🏛️ Public hospital, cash
- Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Tamale, Cape Coast teaching hospitals
- Regional and district hospitals often cheaper
- Folder/registration fee extra
- OPD queues can be long
🩻 Private hospital, cash
- Nyaho, Lister, Euracare, Trust, UGMC (Accra)
- Premium facilities above this range
- Same-day, digital images
- Private insurance accepted at most
Ghana X-Ray Prices by Exam (2026)
Ghana has no single published cash price list. The NHIA column shows what NHIS pays an accredited diagnostic centre under its published G-DRG tariff (effective 1 October 2022) — a useful floor for what imaging costs to provide. Cash ranges are approximate and vary by facility; confirm before your exam.
| Exam | NHIA tariff (diagnostic centre) | Public hospital, cash (approx.) | Private hospital, cash (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain X-rays | |||
| Chest | GHS 37.81 (1 region) | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Hand / wrist | GHS 37.81 | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Ankle / foot | GHS 37.81 | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Knee | GHS 37.81 | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Cervical or lumbar spine | GHS 37.81–58.26 (1–2 regions) | GHS 80–200 | GHS 150–400+ |
| Pelvis | GHS 37.81 | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Abdomen | GHS 37.81 | GHS 50–150 | GHS 100–300 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | GHS 57.19 | GHS 80–200 | GHS 150–400 |
| Dental intraoral (IOPA) | GHS 20.08 | Usually the cheapest X-ray at dental clinics | |
| Other imaging (NHIA tariff) | |||
| Ultrasound (1 region / 2 regions) | GHS 41.90 / 58.63 | Cash prices vary; usually above X-ray | |
| CT, 1 region (no contrast / 1 IV contrast) | GHS 110.82 / 308.96 | Cash prices far higher; get a quote | |
| MRI, 1 region (no contrast / contrast) | GHS 185.11 / 401.96 | Cash prices far higher; get a quote | |
NHIA figures: "Tariffs for Diagnostic Centres", G-DRG Revised Tariffs 2022 Version 2.0, effective 1 October 2022 (nhis.gov.gh). These are what NHIA reimburses providers, not cash prices. Cash ranges are indicative estimates, not from an official schedule. USD at approximately GHS 11.8 = $1 (October 2026).
How NHIS Coverage Works
What NHIS covers
- Outpatient and inpatient investigations: laboratory tests, X-rays and ultrasound
- CT and MRI appear in the diagnostic-centre tariff
- Excluded: angiography, echocardiography, and medicals for employment, school, visa or driving licence
- Medicines only if on the NHIS Medicines List
Who pays what to join
- Exempt from fees: pregnant women, over-70s, indigents, certain persons with disabilities, persons with mental disorders
- SSNIT contributors and SSNIT pensioners: no premium
- Informal sector: annual premium and/or processing fee
- Register with your Ghana Card; renew via the MyNHIS app or *929#
How to get an X-ray
- Go to an accredited facility with your Ghana Card and active NHIS membership
- See the doctor at OPD and get an X-ray request
- Radiology does the exam; you pay only non-covered items
- Cash patients: pay at the cashier first, then go to radiology
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Teaching and regional hospitals
- Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital — Accra
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital — Kumasi
- Tamale and Cape Coast teaching hospitals
- Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) and 37 Military Hospital — Accra
- CHAG mission hospitals nationwide — often NHIS-friendly
🩻 Private hospitals (Accra)
- Nyaho Medical Centre
- Lister Hospital & Fertility Centre
- Euracare Advanced Diagnostic & Heart Centre
- The Trust Hospital and The Bank Hospital
- University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC)
📍 Regional differences
- Accra private hospitals are the most expensive
- Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale are usually cheaper
- CT and MRI are concentrated in Accra, Kumasi and teaching hospitals
- Rural districts may need referral for anything beyond plain X-ray
Guide by Patient Type
🇬🇭 NHIS members
- Renew before your visit — inactive membership means cash prices
- Use accredited public or CHAG facilities
- Ask before paying any "top-up" for a covered X-ray
- Keep your Ghana Card with you
🏙️ Uninsured Ghanaians
- Public and district hospitals are cheapest for cash
- Joining NHIS usually costs less than one private X-ray
- Ask for a written quote at private hospitals
- Mobile money is accepted at most facilities
✈️ Visitors and expats
- Visitors can't use NHIS; residents can register
- Travel or international insurance for private hospitals
- Budget approx. GHS 100–600 including consultation
- Visa medical X-rays are never covered by NHIS
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Ghana Card (or passport for foreigners)
- Active NHIS membership / private insurance card
- Doctor's X-ray request form
- Previous images, if any
- Cash or mobile money for private care
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Teaching hospitals: hours (OPD queues)
- District / CHAG: usually quicker
- Private: same day, often walk-in
💡 How to save money
- Stay NHIS-active — it covers X-rays and ultrasound
- Try a CHAG hospital for NHIS-friendly care
- Compare 2–3 private quotes for cash exams
- Keep digital copies to avoid repeat X-rays
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Ghana in 2026?
For active NHIS members at accredited facilities, X-rays are covered, so you pay little or nothing beyond any non-covered items. Cash patients pay approximately GHS 50–200 (about $4–$17) for a basic X-ray at public hospitals and GHS 100–400 or more ($8–$34+) at private hospitals in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. For reference, NHIA pays diagnostic centres GHS 37.81 for a one-region X-ray and GHS 58.26 for two regions under its published tariff.
Is an X-ray free under NHIS?
Yes, effectively. NHIA's benefit package lists investigations including laboratory tests, X-rays and ultrasound scans for both outpatient and inpatient care. Use an NHIS-accredited public, CHAG (mission) or private facility and keep your membership active; some facilities still charge for items outside the package.
How much is an X-ray at Korle-Bu or Komfo Anokye?
Teaching hospitals do not publish cash prices online. NHIS members pay little or nothing for a covered X-ray. Uninsured patients can expect approximately GHS 50–200 depending on the body part and number of views — usually less than private hospitals in Accra or Kumasi. Ask the radiology billing desk for the current fee.
Does NHIS cover CT scans and MRI?
NHIA's diagnostic-centre tariff (G-DRG revised tariffs, effective 1 October 2022) includes CT and MRI — for example GHS 110.82 for a one-region CT without contrast and GHS 185.11 for a one-region MRI without contrast — so they can be paid by NHIS when ordered at an accredited facility. In practice, availability is limited and some facilities ask for top-up payments, so confirm before the scan. Angiography and echocardiography are excluded from NHIS.
Does NHIS cover a visa or employment medical X-ray?
No. NHIA's exclusion list includes medical examinations for employment, school admission, visa applications and driving licences. You pay cash for these, and visa chest X-rays (for example, UK TB screening) must be done at the clinic approved by the destination country.
Who gets NHIS free, and how much does it cost to join?
NHIA lists pregnant women, people over 70, indigents, certain persons with disabilities and persons with mental disorders as exempt from fees. SSNIT contributors and SSNIT pensioners enrol without paying a premium. Other informal-sector members pay an annual premium and/or processing fee. You can register or renew with the MyNHIS app or by dialling *929#.
How many Ghanaians have NHIS?
NHIA's 2024 Annual Report puts active membership at 18.47 million at the end of 2024 — about 56% of the population. Children under 18 are the largest group of members (36.7%).
How much is an X-ray at a private hospital in Accra?
Approximately GHS 100–400 for a single-region X-ray at private hospitals such as Nyaho Medical Centre, Lister Hospital, Euracare, Trust Hospital or the University of Ghana Medical Centre, and more at premium facilities. Multi-view spine studies cost more. Ask for a written quote and check whether the facility accepts NHIS or your private insurance.
Can tourists use NHIS?
No. NHIS is for registered residents (including foreign residents who register). Visitors pay cash at private hospitals or use travel insurance; budget approximately GHS 100–600 for an X-ray including consultation.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- National Health Insurance Authority — "Tariffs for Diagnostic Centres", G-DRG Revised Tariffs 2022 Version 2.0, effective 1 October 2022 (nhis.gov.gh)
- National Health Insurance Authority — Benefits Package and Exclusions; Membership Registration (nhis.gov.gh)
- National Health Insurance Authority — 2024 Annual Report (active membership, tariff review)
- National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852) — NHIL and exemptions
- Hospital information: Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Nyaho, Lister, Euracare, UGMC; cash ranges are indicative estimates
- Exchange rate: open.er-api.com, 12 October 2026
Last reviewed: October 2026. NHIA tariffs are under review — always confirm current coverage and cash prices with NHIA and your facility.