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Ultrasound Cost

How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost?
 
average cost Average: $200
 



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An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, which are transmitted through the abdomen to produce images of a baby inside the womb. An ultrasound, also referred to as a sonogram, is performed on most pregnant women at 20 weeks to confirm that the placenta is healthy and to measure the baby's growth and development.
 
Typical costs:
  • An ultrasound performed by a licensed medical professional - either a physician or a registered medical diagnostic sonographer - usually costs around $200 according to Parenting Magazine. Medical insurance generally covers the cost of an ultrasound if it is deemed medically necessary.
  • If an expectant mother gets an ultrasound only to see the baby or to find out its sex, the insurance company may not pay for the procedure. The cost of an ultrasound varies by insurance plan.
What should be included:
  • Gel is rubbed on the mother's belly, and a transducer is gently pressed against the skin on the abdomen, sending sound waves that reflect images of the baby that appear on a television monitor. The sonographer records measurements and takes still pictures, which can be taken home.
  • During the first trimester, ultrasounds are often done through the vagina with a specially designed probe and can provide better images. An ultrasound takes 15 to 20 minutes. While not 100 percent accurate, ultrasounds can pick up most serious birth defects or problem pregnancies.
  • The more experienced the doctor or technician, the more accurate the results. Some facilities are accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
Additional costs:
  • So called "keepsake" ultrasounds performed at stand-alone ultrasound facilities not affiliated with medical offices or clinics perform 3-D images for a range of prices starting at $99 and running up to $300 for black-and-white pictures, videos, CD photo slideshows and color photos. However, the American Institute of Ultrasound and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend ultrasounds for non-medical or entertainment purposes. Unskilled technicians incorrectly interpret ultrasounds, and equipment may not be in good working order.
Shopping for an ultrasound:
  • Startby asking your health insurance company whether the procedure will be covered. If you don't have insurance, or your insurance company won't cover the cost of a sonogram, ask your obstetrician, midwife or other healthcare provider for the names of experienced, licensed sonographers in your area. Many obstetricians perform ultrasounds themselves.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
 
Article updated March 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $55.00 cost a bundle, but mostly covered
Posted by: skaterdog in Palo Alto, CA.Purchased: October, 2007
Covered by Insurance?: yes, Blue Cross PPOMedical Center: Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital
Thank goodness for insurance! My level 2 ultrasound (done at 20 weeks) cost $950, but $400 was my patient savings, and $495 was covered by Blue Cross, so I had to pay only $55. What a relief... Also, the fetus looks healthy, and we're having a boy!
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Amount: $853.00 testicular ultrasound
Posted by: playmaker in franklin, TN.Purchased: December, 2007
Covered by Insurance?: had no insuranceMedical Center: Cool springs Imaging Center
Just wish I had insurance. I havent got the results back yet.
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Amount: $10.00 INSANE! Way too high..
Posted by: Cindy Johnson in Orlando, FL.Purchased: 2007
Covered by Insurance?: NoMedical Center: 3rd World Country
It is very funny that people pay such high insane rates for such a simple procedure. This technology/procedure is by no means worth paying nearly $1000 for.. We need to get rid of these insurance companies and start asking for what the procedures are really worth so health care can be affordable.. I was in a third world country and received an ultrasound for only $10.. It was performed by a doctor not a technician.. The doctor was as good as the doctors here.. I know our politicians tend to tout the USA as first class medical care but honestly I think that only applies to the building you received the care in not the staff.. Whats the point of having health care if it is not affordable to many.. I guess for some people they think its just fine to pay $1000 for putting a transducer on your belly and seeing the echo on the monitor.. I guess thats high tech for some..
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Amount: $220.00 Insurance does not help much
Posted by: Vitaly in Atlanta, GA.Purchased: December, 2007
Covered by Insurance?: yes, Bluecross PPOMedical Center: Northside Hospital
Level 2 Ultrasound at 21st week of pregnancy. I called the office several time trying to find out how much it would approximately cost, but nobody could tell me anything. After several tries I got a number of around $800-$1000. So we went, hoping that insurance will cover most of it. Payed 45$ copay. Doctor charged insurance company for 214$ and hospital for $680. We just received bill from the hospital for another $175. All this just for a 15 minute doctor's visit. I still don't quite understand what is the hospital charge for, but it seems that there is no way of getting out of paying it. Overall, out of pocket expenses are the same as if we did not have insurance at all. I know a lot of people who had it done for around $200 without any insurance.
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Amount: $778.00 Fibroid Ultrasound
Posted by: M Patton in Cary, NC.Purchased: April, 2008
Covered by Insurance?: $116Medical Center:
The bill showed two procedures, one for Pelvic and another for Transvaginal. Went in for an A (singular) unltrasound, does not seem right that just because they used two different tools, that I get charged twice as much. It was $389 per tool/wand. Insurance only covered a fraction of the cost, and the radiologist would not alter the bill.
I guess we need to find out more about the costs before having procedures done.
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Amount: $113.00 Breast Ultrasound
Posted by: Sabrina in Olympia Fields, IL.Purchased: April, 2008
Covered by Insurance?: NopeMedical Center: ST. James Hospital, Olympia Fields, IL
They sent me a bill for $113.00, they only performed ultrasound on right breast. I guess to have both breast ultrasounded, I would have been out of $226.00.
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Amount: $200.00 Pregnancy pelvic ultrasound
Posted by: a user in commack, NY.Purchased: June, 2008
Covered by Insurance?: NoMedical Center: Bab Radiology
I dont know what level, but my wife was in her 6th week. we told the radiology center we didnt have insurance so they gave us a discount. They said if you had insurance we would have charged 400, but without insurance we will reduce it to 200, yes 50% discount ! no bullshit. They did both transvaginal and abdominal.
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