Are you worried about the high cost of an ultrasound in 2022? Have you recently heard something scary on the news? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! We’ll give you a detailed overview of how much an ultrasound costs without insurance in 2022.
An ultrasound is a medical test that is used to identify diseases and evaluate organ damage. Ultrasounds can help doctors pinpoint the source of pain, oedema, and infection in the body’s interior organs. The heart and blood vessels, gallbladder, liver, uterus, eyes, and other organs can all be evaluated with ultrasonography.
If you are pregnant, you must have regular obstetric ultrasounds to let your doctor visualize your fetus’s brain, hips, and spine. Ultrasounds are frequently used to assist physicians in guiding treatments such as biopsies or assessing damage after a heart attack.
Preparation for ultrasound procedures differs based on where the scan is being performed on your body. Some scans may require you to fast for 12 hours before the exam, while others may require you to drink a couple of glasses of water before the exam and avoid urinating.
Any preparation for your ultrasound will be specified by your doctor. Wear loose-fitting attire to any of the exams, as you may be forced to change into a gown.
Most ultrasounds last between 30 and 1 hour. A gel is placed on your skin over the investigated area to prevent air pockets from blocking sound waves. The gel is water-based and easy to remove.
However, it may feel chilly at first. A professional technician, also known as a sonographer, will then move about and press a device (transducer) against the area being inspected to acquire photographs.
Ultrasound without insurance costs typically around $200 to $500. The cost of ultrasound with insurance varies depending on the type of plan you have and what your deductible is.
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How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost Without Insurance?
The average cost of ultrasound without insurance is $200 to $500. This price can vary greatly depending on the type of ultrasound being performed, the provider’s location and much more. Ultrasounds are typically done by radiologists or other medical professionals specialising in imaging procedures.
They may be done in a doctor’s office or hospital, depending on the situation and where it’s being performed.
Most insurance plans cover ultrasounds for pregnant women who have potential health problems related to their pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood pressure). However, if you’re not pregnant or don’t have any health problems related to your pregnancy, then you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for ultrasounds without insurance coverage.
Average Cost of Ultrasound By City
| State | Ultrasound Price Range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $140 – $350 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $140 – $370 |
| Miami, FL | $130 – $320 |
| Houston, TX | $120 – $300 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $140 – $340 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $120 – $310 |
| Atlanta, GA | $120 – $320 |
| Washington, DC | $130 – $320 |
| Dallas, TX | $110 – $280 |
| Chicago, IL | $130 – $330 |
Average Cost of Ultrasound by Body Part
| Ultrasound Type | Ultrasound Price Range |
|---|---|
| Fetal | $290 – $4,000 |
| Head and Neck | $160 – $1,600 |
| Eye Exam | $210 – $2,000 |
| Chest | $290 – $2,400 |
| Breast | $160 – $2,250 |
| Abdominal | $260 – $1,950 |
| Pelvic | $220 – $3,200 |
| Hip | $320 – $1,350 |
| Spine | $410 – $600 |
| Bone | $70 – $900 |
Average Cost of Common Ultrasounds By State
| Type of Ultrasound | Estimated Price in California | Estimated Price in New York | Estimated Price in Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fetal | $180 – $800 | $190 – $480 | $200 – $500 |
| Abdominal | $140 – $360 | $130 – $320 | $100 – $260 |
| Bone | $30 – $70 | $30 – $80 | $40 – $110 |
| Breast | $120 – $300 | $120 – $300 | $100 – $240 |
| Chest | $260 – $675 | $130 – $320 | $120 – $310 |
| Extremity | $130 – $320 | $130 – $320 | $100 – $250 |
| Eye | $470 – $1,250 | $450 – $1,200 | $170 – $440 |
| Head and Neck | $100 – $240 | $90 – $230 | $80 – $190 |
| Pelvic | $180 – $450 | $170 – $440 | $140 – $350 |
| Spinal | $150 – $370 | $150 – $380 | $130 – $340 |
Factors that Influence the Cost of Ultrasounds
Ultrasound is a common test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the body’s internal structures. The test can help your doctor diagnose and treat medical conditions, from gallstones to heart disease.
The cost of an ultrasound depends on several factors, including where you live and whether you have a medical insurance plan that covers the procedure.
- Where You Live
As described in the table above and in general, the location of the ultrasound on the body can influence the cost of the operation. Fetal ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds, and chest ultrasounds are generally more expensive, although bone and spine ultrasounds may be less expensive.
This could be because fewer providers are offering ultrasounds in rural areas, which means there’s more competition for patients — driving down prices — or because rural patients only have access to private physicians who charge higher rates than hospital specialists.
- Insurance Coverage
If you have health insurance, your provider might be able to perform an ultrasound for free or at a discounted rate. This is especially true if your insurance plan covers diagnostic imaging services. If your doctor recommends an ultrasound, ask them to send the request form to your insurer. You can also call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask about coverage for diagnostic imaging services.
- The type of test ordered.
An abdominal ultrasound will cost less than an abdominal/pelvic ultrasound because it requires fewer probes and takes less time to perform. However, suppose you have no symptoms or indications for an abdominal/pelvic ultrasound.
In that case, your doctor may order it simply to rule out a particular condition that may not be causing any problems. In this case, you may want to question whether an additional test is necessary or if one could be substituted instead (such as an X-ray).
- The equipment used in the procedure.
Some machines are more expensive than others due to their capabilities and features. For example, high-frequency transducers can provide higher resolution images than low-frequency transducers; however, they also require more skill to operate properly and may be better suited for a trained technician rather than someone who’s new at it.
Conclusion
Now that you know how much an ultrasound costs and what is covered by insurance, you can make an educated decision on how to proceed and whether or not you want to get the test done.
Hopefully, we answered all your questions and you feel confident about scheduling your ultrasound for your health and wellbeing. All in all, the price of an ultrasound does not have to be stressful, especially if you set out to educate yourself on prices beforehand.