How much does an ultrasound cost near me?

Find out how to save money

Ultrasound scan costs vary by facility & location.  For a large part of high-deductible patients insurance no longer covers ultrasound scan cost until they reach their $6,000 to $18,000 deductible. Patients are expected to pay out of pocket between $430 – $2,000 for a single ultrasound, while cash patients pay as little as $130 per ultrasound appointment.

What is an Ultrasound?

It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that forms pictures that are helpful to evaluate organs and structures inside a woman’s pelvis. A pelvic ultrasound allows rapid imagining of the female pelvic organs and structures including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Blood flow could be assessed using Doppler mode. 

Ultrasound employs a transducer that sends out ultrasound waves which are high-frequency waves out of human audible range. A doctor positions the ultrasound transducer on the skin, and the high-frequency waves move from the skin to the organs within. The sound waves reflect off the structures and return to the transducer. The transducer analyses the reflected waves, which are then transformed into a picture of the organs or tissues being inspected. If done properly, the results are considered very precise and reliable.

How much does Pelvic Ultrasound cost?

When paying out of pocket, you can expect the healthcare cost to be anywhere from $130-$1,100 depending on the location, size, and type of facility. Hospitals will generally charge you more on the higher end while the imaging facilities fees will be more accommodating.

Pelvic Ultrasound scan by insurance type

• Pelvic Ultrasound cost for a high-deductible insured patient at a large hospital: $600 – $2,000 (Compare insurance plans)
• Pelvic Ultrasound cost for a high-deductible insured patient at imaging center: $400 – $800
• Pelvic Ultrasound cost for a fully insured patient at a hospital (25% copay): $150 – $275
• Breast Ultrasound cost for a cash-paying patient at an imaging center: $130 – $300

Tips for saving money on Ultrasound procedure cost:

• Feel free to take your doctor’s referral to the facility that offers you the best price
• Shop around across 4-8 medical facilities to find the best deal for you
• Pay in cash to save 40-80% of the cost
• Consider doing this Ultrasound in a large metro area (Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas) that get access to more competitive rates
• Reach out to obstetrician offices, some of them will be willing to do this scan for you for a reduced price

When is Ultrasound used?

Pelvic ultrasound in women’s may be used for measuring and evaluation of pelvic organs size, shape, the location of the uterus, ovaries, and placenta (if pregnant).

• To asses width, echogenicity and existence of fluids or masses in the endometrium, myometrium (muscular layer of the uterus), fallopian tubes, or in or near the urinary bladder
• To examine the length and width of the cervix, variations in bladder shape and blood flow through pelvic tissues.
• It can be used to diagnose or assess abnormalities in anatomy, fibroids, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD), and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Also, it can help diagnose post-menopausal bleeding, monitoring ovarian follicle size for infertility evaluation, ectopic pregnancy and to assess the fetal well-being
• In men, a pelvic ultrasound can be employed to check for problems with the bladder, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and kidney stones.

What are risks associated with an ultrasound?

There is no radiation employed in this exam. Generally, the patient feels no discomfort from the application of the ultrasound transducer to the skin during a transabdominal ultrasound. Some discomfort might be experienced with the introduction of the transvaginal transducer inside the vagina.

A transducer is covered by a latex sheath; one with latex allergy may encounter reaction. Slight discomfort may be felt if the bladder is full. There may be hazards dependent on your specific medical ailments. Be sure to discuss any apprehensions with your doctor before the test. Obesity, Intestinal gas, full or inadequate filling of the bladder may interfere with the test results.

What are its alternatives to Ultrasound for a pelvis scan?

A CT scan and MRI may be used to assess pelvic area as well. Considering the cost and time taken by the procedure a pelvic ultrasound exam is quick and a cheaper alternative as compared by other radiological tests.

Do I need a doctor’s referral for an ultrasound?

Unless you are doing this through health insurance, many imaging centers won’t require a doctor’s referral for this procedure. Keep in mind that the results will be written by a radiologist in a medical language that might not be easy to understand. Your best bet is to consult your physician and ask him for a consultation to go with you over the results.

How to find the best ultrasound clinics?

You can ask your doctor for a recommendation, or if you not sure where to start you can ask a patient concierge service such as AffordableScan for assistance.