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.
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.
Posted by: Thank God that we still have the best health system in the world in Shawnee, KS.
Posted: October 24th, 2010 10:10PM
Covered by Insurance?: Yes
Medical Center: Women's clinic, Shawnee, KS
During pregnancy there is 1 free ultrasound and all the medically necessary ultrasounds covered by insurance (Blue cross blue shield). There is one small $30 copay for the entire pregnancy and a $100/day charge for the hospital to a maximum 5 days. The most out of pocket is $530 for medically necessary tests and imaging. If the patient wants to look at the fetus, then there will be a charge. It's all a matter of the premiums everyone is willing to pay. We are on the maximum HMO offered through our workplace.
Posted by: I wish usual and customary charges were standard in US health care in Billings, MT.
Posted: October 28th, 2010 01:10PM
Covered by Insurance?: 75%
Medical Center: Billings Clinic
Blue Cross covered the 1st ultrasound for dating the birth and verifying life. That one was $309. No wonder they pay 100% for the 1st one. This US was on the belly and a transvaginal to measure cervical length. Tech fees: $829. Doc fees (to read them, even tho the tech told us everything as she worked): $431. I owe 315 after insurance, which isn't as bad as the $1260 sticker shock, but STILL. ugh.
Wow. I just recieved the bill from the hospital this week for 3 ultrasounds. I have been having pain in my right pelvic region so my doctor ordered all 3. $3,400!! That's just unbelievable. Hopefully my insurance will cover all of it. Still waiting to get the paperwork to see how much it covers
went to my cardiologist for yearly check up and was requested to have a sonogram in his interest as to my 81 year old mild heart valve condition. Never explained a co-payment even though it is small, and thought that it would be covered by medicare and my $35 doctor visit copayment $20 the bill was $1,725 to medicare. you think they would have been happy to cover the mesily $20 for them , but is a dent in my retirement at my age and lack of funds for this sort of greed of health care. darn if i will go back for any analitical procedure requested by any doctor that benefits him, and should have paid for it himself for this type of information, if he wants to ride the medical train then he should pay the ticket.
I work in the medical field, but have choosen to have no insurance, because the increased cost was more then what health care I use. Just found a lump in my L breast. Set-up appointments with the local hospital, and tried to set-up a payment plan. They would not give me a cost for the mammogram or US. They said they could not set-up the account till after the cost have been incurred. Hmmmm......smell fishy? From all the responders post here it looks like my US could be $280 to $3000. I will keep you posted, but I think we as consumers should be told straight-up what the cost of test are going to be. It is part of the patient's rights to know. I will keep everyone posted on what becomes of this adventure.
Prenatal ultrasound in SF East Bay Area is over $400 w/no insurance, and if you have insurance then it depends on your co-pay. With our insurance its a $99 copay.
Women's Diagnostic Center at Longmont United Hosptial charged 765.00 for a simple breast ultrasound after a suspicious mamogram. Insurance wouldn't pay, as a $2000.00 deductible had to be met first. Outrageous!
expensive cardio ultrasound which answered NOTHING
Amount: $2,688.05
Posted by: feeling ripped off and frustrated in Austin, TX.
Posted: February 8th, 2011 10:02AM
Covered by Insurance?: yes, partially
Medical Center: Frontera Strategies LP
wife has had MVP all her life, finally decided to get it checked for the first time since she was 15, big mistake, $2688.05 billed, we have to pay $1092.16 for tests that literally told us nothing. Planning to dispute but not optimistic about getting anywhere.
Pelvic Ultrasound-St. Croix Regional Medical Center
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: AA in St. Croix Falls, WI.
Posted: June 16th, 2011 07:06PM
Covered by Insurance?: Yes
Medical Center: St. Croix Regional Medical Center
I had an accidental lapse in insurance when I got my pelvic ultrasound so I had to pay the cash rates. The rate was $1100 and some change and they gave me a 20% discount (woohoo-not) so I ended up paying over $800.00. Still way too much for an ultrasound. Upon receiving an EOB for other services I noted that SCRMC billed services are higher than other area clinics, however, they're nicer. The billing department will fill you in on cash rates for specific services (you need to know what exactly you're getting) if you call.
Im in South Korea right now and it costs me 48 dollars to get a weekly ultrasound done because it isnt covered by insurance tho i dont have to pay for doc visits and the.gov here gave me 400 dollars to spend on at the doctors. The doctors are good but not as thorough as American docs but still not bad and much cheaper.
Posted by: Have been scammed!!! in Philadelphia, PA.
Posted: December 19th, 2011 01:12PM
Covered by Insurance?: 2,784
Medical Center: Penn Care OBGYN (Penn Hospital)
Had my 20 week anatomy ultrasound and they wanted to check my cervical length to be sure. They billed $323 for the anatomy scan which is fine and then billed $7,316 for the pelvic ultrasound that was done by a resident and took less than 60 seconds. After non-allowable amount and my insurance I owe $696.20 for the pelvic ultrasound. I am furious. How do you charge over $7,000 for a pelvic ultrasound that took 60 seconds???????? If they do not adjust my bill, you will see this on the news. I am fighting this!!!!!!!
It´s a simple procedure and they just charge what it is. The doctor was really good precise, kind, and filled out really detailed the form that my doctor asked.
got my "diagnostic" mammogram done. They insisted on calling it "diagnostic" b/c my doctor wanted an area checked. That cost me $265 out of pocket because of my $750 deductable. A so-called "screening" mammogram is totally covered by BCBS once a year. (They got the "BS" part right!!!) They told me (BEFORE SENDING PICTURES TO MY DOCTOR) that they would "have to refer me for an ultrasound because it was standard procedure when the doctor felt something". Translation: we've figured out a new way to scam innocent women because of the vulnerable position they have found themselves in. That WOULD have cost me at least $200-300 MORE out of pocket. I waited about one week and saw results "NORMAL" on my doctor's website. However, they called her the day of the mammogram and told her to write a referral for the ultrasound. Tell me if I'm wrong: shouldn't the doctor get to see the pics first, then decide whether to refer for further testing? The way it was done was suspicious, and definitely sounds like a medical racket. I will get to talk to my doctor tomorrow and hopefully get to the bottom of this crap.
Went in to get checked out due to spotting. Had a 15 minute session where both an external and transvaginal ultrasound was performed. The bill was astounding, not to mention it added insult to injury due to the fact that I lost the baby. The original amount before the negotiated rate was over $1200, which is the amount I'll have to pay should I go on to have a successful pregnancy (I have an individual policy that does not cover routine maternity care.) Yeah... I'm going to be looking for another option when I get pregnant again!
Medical Center: Obstetrix at Swedish in Issaquah, WA
Obstetrix charged my Regence/Blue Shield insurance $780, my insurance allowed $369 as the highest possible ultrasound price, and paid most of that amount. I ended up paying $74 of that (%80 coverage after deductible). 5-2012
I participated as a pregnant model at Sanford Brown College in San Antonio. They didn't charge me a dime, but had to be displayed in front of a bunch of students so the instructor could explain the exam She showed me my baby and even gave me a few pictures to take home. I did have to contact my doctor to get a written approval beforehand, but it's nice that they offer this to the public, and then they get to educate their students.
These people are a set of crooks. I went in for 2 ultrasound. The first I paid my co-payment of$35 the second I question and was billed $99.56 after the sevice. Then I got a letter from a collector 3 months after for $98.80 an attional payment for the first service that I never receive. I was treated like a common criminal when I questioned this additional charges, which I paid but will never go back for nothing.
I went to see my regular doctor for a sinus infection and he felt my stomach. He wasn't sure if what I had was a fibroid and since he's not a gynecologist, he told me to go to the hospital immediately for an ultrasound to check the large bump on my stomach. I didn't question him and went immediately to the hospital by my house for the ultrasound. It turns out that the hospital closest to my home is not in my insurance network. I now owe $1815.75. I'm really upset and wondering what the hell we're paying for here. I'm calling the insurance company to see what I can do.
I am a Sonologist in Australia and needing an obstetric scan whilst on holidays in America. I perform dozens of these scans- all types- everyday and they are completely covered by the government. When a foreign patient presents the most they pay is around $150. I thought it would be easy and relatively cheap to get my scan done whilst in the states. Apparently not so!!