How Much Does Ultrasound Cost in 2026?With & Without Insurance
Ultrasound costs between $200 and $800 without insurance. A typical all-in cash-pay visit runs about $350.
Ultrasound costs range from $200-$800 without insurance depending on the type and facility. Compare prices at hospitals vs imaging centers and learn how to save on diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
Quick Price Summary
Cash-Pay Price Range
$200-$800
Typical all-in estimate: $350Covers the full visit. The verified benchmark below prices the primary billing code on its own.
With Insurance
$20-$150
After deductible
Based on published hospital and provider price-transparency disclosures, cash-pay benchmarks, and public fee schedules.
Free to search, no account needed: see nearby providers and sample estimates. FairPass ($29/mo) unlocks every provider's price, phone and address.
Real prices from our database
Not an estimate. These figures come from actual hospital-disclosed cash prices and insurer-negotiated rates for CPT 76700 (Ultrasound, abdomen complete) in FairVisitHealth's price-transparency corpus.
Median posted cash price
$501
Most fall between $117 and $810 (25th to 75th percentile)
Median of 607 hospital-posted cash prices. Each posted price counts once, so hospitals that post more prices carry more weight.
Your negotiation target
$74
Median rate insurers actually pay for the same code
Across 74,496 insurer-negotiated rates. Ask providers to match it.
Source: FairVisitHealth analysis of 607 hospital-disclosed cash prices and 74,496 insurer-negotiated rates for CPT 76700, from CMS hospital price-transparency machine-readable files and insurer Transparency-in-Coverage files. Data as of October 2026.
What is Ultrasound?
An ultrasound (sonogram) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, ultrasound uses no ionizing radiation, making it safe for pregnant women and children. Ultrasounds are used to examine the abdomen, pelvis, heart, blood vessels, thyroid, breast, musculoskeletal system, and developing fetus. The procedure is painless, typically takes 20-45 minutes, and provides immediate results.
What Affects Ultrasound Cost?
- Type of ultrasound: Abdominal ($250-$500), pelvic ($300-$600), pregnancy ($200-$500), echocardiogram ($500-$2,000), vascular Doppler ($300-$800).
- Facility type: Freestanding imaging centers charge less than hospital outpatient departments.
- Body area complexity: Simple single-organ scans cost less than complete multi-organ studies.
- Doppler component: Adding blood flow assessment (Doppler) increases cost by $100-$300.
- Geographic location: Prices vary by region and by facility within the same city.
- Urgency: Emergency or stat ultrasounds at ERs cost significantly more than scheduled outpatient imaging.
How to choose where to get Ultrasound
The cash-pay range on this page is $200-$800. Before you book, use these steps to find out which setting a quote comes from and what it includes.
Step by step
- Get the exact order from your doctor: the body part and the number of views or the type of exam. Different versions are billed under different codes.
- Ask an independent imaging center, a hospital outpatient department and, if you are already being seen there, your clinic for a self-pay quote.
- Ask whether the quote includes the radiologist's reading, or whether the radiologist bills you separately.
- Check the hospital's own price list. Under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule, every US hospital must publish its standard charges, including its discounted cash price, and a consumer-friendly list of shoppable services. Source: CMS, hospital price transparency
- If you are uninsured or paying without insurance, ask each provider for a Good Faith Estimate. Under the No Surprises Act, providers generally must give you one when you schedule at least 3 business days ahead, or when you ask. Source: CMS, medical bill rights
- Keep every estimate. If a provider or facility bills you at least $400 more than its Good Faith Estimate, you can start the federal patient-provider dispute process for a bill dated within the last 120 days. The fee is $25. Source: CMS, dispute a bill
Care settings compared
| Setting | How it typically bills | What to ask for | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent imaging center | A charge for the exam. The radiologist's reading may be included or billed separately. | A written self-pay quote, and whether the reading is included. | Routine exams you can schedule ahead. |
| Hospital outpatient department | A hospital facility charge for the exam, with the radiologist often billing separately. | The discounted cash price from the hospital's price list. | When the exam is part of other hospital care. |
| Doctor's office or urgent care with on-site imaging | The imaging may be billed on top of the visit, and the reading may come from an outside radiologist. | Whether the visit and the imaging are priced separately. | When you are already being seen there and the equipment is on site. |
General information, not medical advice. Your clinician decides which setting is safe for you.
How to Save on Ultrasound
Compare a freestanding imaging center or radiology practice against the hospital for a routine ultrasound.
Ask for the cash-pay price upfront - many imaging centers quote a self-pay rate on the phone.
If your doctor orders an ultrasound, ask specifically what type you need and compare prices for that exact study.
For pregnancy ultrasounds, check if your OB's office has in-house ultrasound, which is often more affordable.
Avoid the ER for non-urgent imaging - schedule outpatient for significant savings.
Use FairVisitHealth to compare ultrasound prices from imaging centers and radiology practices near you.
Ultrasound Cost by City
Local self-pay prices for ultrasound in 32 cities, from providers in each metro area.
These are averages. Get your exact local answer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ultrasound cost without insurance?
An ultrasound without insurance typically costs $200-$800 depending on the type and body area. Abdominal ultrasounds average $250-$500, pelvic ultrasounds $300-$600, and pregnancy ultrasounds $200-$500. Specialized echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds) can cost $500-$2,000.
Why are ultrasound prices so different between facilities?
Hospital-based ultrasounds include a facility fee that can double the cost compared to freestanding imaging centers. A pelvic ultrasound might cost $250 at an imaging center but $600+ at a hospital outpatient department. The actual procedure and image quality are typically identical.
What types of ultrasound are there?
Common types include abdominal (liver, gallbladder, kidneys), pelvic/transvaginal (uterus, ovaries), obstetric/pregnancy (fetal monitoring), musculoskeletal (joints, tendons), thyroid, breast, vascular/Doppler (blood flow), and echocardiogram (heart). Each has different pricing based on complexity.
How much does a pregnancy ultrasound cost?
A standard obstetric ultrasound costs $200-$500 without insurance. An anatomy scan (typically done at 18-20 weeks) costs $250-$600. 3D/4D ultrasounds, which are usually elective, cost $100-$300. Most insurance plans cover at least one ultrasound during pregnancy.
Does insurance cover ultrasounds?
Insurance typically covers medically necessary ultrasounds with a copay of $20-$75 after deductible. Pregnancy ultrasounds are usually covered as prenatal care. However, elective ultrasounds (like 3D/4D keepsake images) are not covered. Always confirm with your plan before scheduling.
Is an ultrasound cheaper than an MRI or CT scan?
Yes, ultrasounds are generally the most affordable imaging option. An ultrasound costs $200-$800 vs. MRI at $400-$3,500 or CT scan at $270-$4,800. Ultrasounds also use no radiation, making them safer for pregnant women and children.
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Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Pricing information is based on publicly reported data and may not reflect your actual costs.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions. Prices shown are estimates for self-pay patients and may vary by provider, location, and individual circumstances.