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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.
Related articles: Baby Delivery, Maternity Clothes
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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[1] .
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[2] 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.
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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.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
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| Posted by: PissedOffLady in San Diego, CA. | Posted: June 28th, 2021 05:06PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 29 | Medical Center: |
What is the point of insurance if they screw you like this?!?! |
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| Posted by: Megkub8 in Chicago, IL. | Posted: February 19th, 2021 05:02AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 5303.62 | Medical Center: University of Chicago |
The total billed to my insurance was $7295.00. Unbelievable and absolutely disgusting. I have gotten MRIs and CT scans for cheaper than this ultrasound. |
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| Posted by: Angry and Disappointed in Erie, PA. | Posted: August 25th, 2020 04:08PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: yes, but only half of it | Medical Center: UPMC |
went it for an ultrasound because of swelling in my armpit that had been aching and causing me severe anxiety. turned out to just be swollen lymph nodes, was completely done by a technician who checked the images with a doctor that I never actually spoke to. got the bill a month later and saw that my appointment, which had beeb maybe thirty minutes including waiting times, was $500-some dollars and insurance only covered half, so I still owed $257, and had waited half a month to get the appointment and checkup, which an international friend told me shouldve been done the same day that i went to my doctor abt the swelling in the first place because it only takes aby ten minutes |
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| Posted by: Stofertx in Victoria, TX. | Posted: February 2nd, 2020 12:02PM |
Billed $7000 before they knew i had ins. Meaning and uninsured person would pay $7000
Insurance had a deal with hospital leaving me $500 which is more than one should cost even before insurance. WRONG. |
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| Posted by: Penn in Columbus, OH. | Posted: December 23rd, 2019 11:12AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 46.8% | Medical Center: OSU Wexner Center |
Ultrasound imaging service was $1287.00 then a "Doctor's Interpretation" invoice for an additional $250.00 was billed separately. |
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| Posted by: a user in Salem, NJ. | Posted: March 17th, 2018 04:03PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: $522 | Medical Center: Salem Memorial Hospital NJ |
My doctor sent me for an ultrasound of my leg after an accident looking for a blood clot. To appease him I went. I was in shock (more like cardiac arrest) when I got the bill. The Ins. company only paid $522 (which is the average cost listed on the Internet). The hospital discounted $1360 and my cost is > $1400. This is unbelievable. |
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| Posted by: Ljd in Portland, ME. | Posted: June 21st, 2017 04:06PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: No | Medical Center: Maine medical center |
Ultrasound to see if a blood clot moved. It didn't. My deductible wasn't met (2800) So I got screwed over for nothing. |
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| Posted by: Darya in Galloway, NJ. | Posted: November 8th, 2016 10:11AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: no | Medical Center: Atlanticare, NJ |
I went there to get an ultrasound and blood work done to make sure everything is fine with my baby, my doctor ordered these tests. Then I get a bill for $1,586 and when I call amerihealth to ask why this prenatal care procedure wasn't covered I am told they only cover regular OB/GYN visits, not ultrasounds. Which is ridiculous, cause there's no specification on what is covered an what is not, my plan simply says: "prenatal care - no charge, no deductible"
Disappointed and feel fooled. |
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| Posted by: Pays to shop around... in Port Angeles, WA. | Posted: September 28th, 2016 08:09AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Yes | Medical Center: Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles WA. |
I had to have a kidney removed in 2011. I went in for an annual checkup and my Creatinine levels were a little high so the physician wanted me to get an Ultrasound on my remaining kidney. No prob I thought, I have insurance. Besides, how much could a 5 minute visit cost? I was a little surprised when I got the bill. The one who read the ultrasound charged $40. The hospital charged me $550. The ultrasound only took 5 minutes, that's over $100 A MINUTE. No surprise, our hospital here has financially strapped and ruined a large number of people's lives here in Port Angeles (a very low income town). Oh, but the CEO of the hospital just got an ENORMOUS bonus for the year. I guess someone has to pay for it. Oh, after checking around, I learned I could have gone to a neighboring town and had it done for $50. I'm so glad the federal government stepped in and gave us 'affordable' healthcare. I guess I just haven't seen it yet. |
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| Posted by: RobertH in Long Beach, CA. | Posted: September 24th, 2015 07:09PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Apparenty not | Medical Center: Beverly Imaging Long Beach, Ca |
My doctor ordered this ultrasound but after making the appointment I found out I could not afford the copay of 200 dollars United Health Care demands. This was after they doubled my monthly premiums. Wow. I cannot afford this new health care. What happened I get less care but pay twice as much. Makes no sense. I had to cancel the appointment. Perhaps the doctor can prescribe some pain killers to get me through this. Yeah, I know, I could die from this but what other course do we have now! |
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| Posted by: Joe Taxpayer in Washington, DC. | Posted: March 25th, 2015 04:03PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Partially | Medical Center: Washington Hospital Center |
We were just billed an eye-popping $1,218.76 by Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC for an ultrasound. NOT including the separate doctor's visit bills.That is what 'not-for-profit' looks like in the nation's capital. No wonder we're so screwed. |
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| Posted by: Disgusted with American Healhcare in Murrells Inlet, SC. | Posted: January 29th, 2015 01:01PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Yes | Medical Center: Georgetown Hospital |
The ultrasound (prescribed because of a possible aneurysm) took no longer than 10 minutes, by a medical technician. |
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| Posted by: ababy in Seattle, WA. | Posted: January 23rd, 2015 01:01PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: | Medical Center: UW Roosevelt Clinic - Seattle |
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| Posted by: One Angry Momma in indianapolis, IN. | Posted: September 19th, 2014 11:09AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 80% | Medical Center: Indiana University Health |
I tested low on my biochemicals when I had a quad screen, which I think was taken a little too early anyway. To make sure baby was okay, after I had an ultrasound in the doctor's office and everything seemed to be fine, my doctor recommended a second ultrasound out of office. I agreed, what could it hurt to check baby again to rule out possible trisomy 18. Well it hurt my pockets big time. The same exact thing performed at a different location 2.5 hours away cost me 20 times the usual cost. I think my doctor should have explained that the 2nd ultrasound would cost almost as much as the delivery of my baby. Ridiculous!!! I am taking this public. Basically they inflate the cost so much that it cancels out having insurance. after 80% being covered, I will owe out of pocket what the highest cost of an ultrasound should have been. This is my 4th child and I have had to do this before, with my first, and an ultrasound has never cost me this much. Again, Ridiculous!!! |
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| Posted by: Dee12 in Auburn, WA. | Posted: July 24th, 2014 11:07AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 0 | Medical Center: Valley Medical |
I just spent HOURS over the last several days arguing with Regence. Since The Affordable Care Act came into law in 2014, Regence changed their maternal and prenatal coverage. They only cover 2 ultrasounds the whole pregnancy unless deemed "medically necessary" by your OB AND even then they automatically deny and they make you do an appeal and then they might cover any additional ultrasounds. Did I mention they no longer cover ANY screening, genetic tests, or any other preventative care for the baby while in utero? Wow - am I glad I pay upwards of $300 a month. I am so disappointed in Regence and am ashamed that they don't see the need to screen babies for birth defects and life threatening illnesses. |
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| Posted by: Amanda Mazich in Redlands, CA. | Posted: June 24th, 2014 02:06PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: No | Medical Center: Agape Grace Imaging |
My experience at Agape Grace Imaging was a very pleasant one. I have no insurance and I wanted to get an ultrasound done on my thyroid and other areas but all the other places I checked into was way out of my budget. A friend referred me to Agape Grace Imaging in Redlands. I was very impressed by the friendly staff and their professionalism. They have a beautiful facility in the downtown Redlands area. The scan itself was very thorough and Inexpensive. I received my results immediately after the exam. I would definitely recommenced anyone to come get an ultrasound and a piece of mind at Agape Grace Imaging. |
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| Posted by: James R Chapman in chelsea, MI. | Posted: July 2nd, 2013 05:07AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: NO! | Medical Center: Chelsea Michigan |
sent in for ultrasonic screening. Blue Cross would not pay as it was "not" medically necessary.
it was all about the billing code!! |
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| Posted by: Genevieve. in Qld, Other. | Posted: April 22nd, 2013 06:04AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Yes | Medical Center: All over Australia |
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!! |
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| Posted by: a user in Bayonne, NJ. | Posted: March 25th, 2013 07:03PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 571.36 | Medical Center: Bayonne Medical Center, NJ |
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. |
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| Posted by: bebkam in Pembroke Pines, FL. | Posted: March 22nd, 2013 07:03AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: $4226.64 | Medical Center: Baptist Outpatient Service |
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. |
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| Posted by: a user in ocala, FL. | Posted: January 24th, 2013 12:01PM |
how can the price very so much! express care it's 135.00-165.00 however at my doctors office they want 1000.00 whats up with that! |
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| Posted by: Neka in San Antonio, TX. | Posted: October 30th, 2012 01:10PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: no | Medical Center: Sanford Brown College |
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. |
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| Posted by: levi in denver, CO. | Posted: September 12th, 2012 07:09AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: 80 | Medical Center: in an office of cardilogist |
what is the going cost of this 20 minute procedure |
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| Posted by: Tara M in Issaquah, WA. | Posted: July 3rd, 2012 05:07PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: yes | 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 |
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| Posted by: hautemama2010 in Grafton, WI. | Posted: April 15th, 2012 09:04PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: Yes | Medical Center: Aurora Hospital, Grafton, WI |
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! |
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| Posted by: Samarah in Houston, TX. | Posted: April 11th, 2012 06:04PM |
| Covered by Insurance?: only after $750 deductable | Medical Center: Memorial Hermann Imaging |
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. |
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| Posted by: Araceli in Monterrey, Other. | Posted: March 1st, 2012 10:03AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: no | Medical Center: Private Medical Center |
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. |
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| 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!!!!!!! |
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| Posted by: kate5796 in seoul, . | Posted: September 24th, 2011 12:09AM |
| Covered by Insurance?: no | Medical Center: obgyn |
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. |
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External Resources: |
- www.aium.org/accreditation/directory.aspx
- www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/104_images.html
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