How Much Does an Echocardiogram Cost?
An echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) is billed at about $1,000 to $3,000. At an imaging center or cardiology office, the cash price is often $200 to $1,000, while a hospital costs far more. The single biggest reason for the spread is where you have it done.
- Site of care is the biggest lever. A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee that can double or triple the same echo done at a cardiology office or imaging center.
- The bill often splits into two parts: a technical component for the scan itself and a professional component for the cardiologist who reads it. A hospital echo can bill both plus a facility fee.
- Some plans require prior authorization for an echocardiogram. Confirm it is approved first, or the whole billed amount can land on you.
Echocardiogram Cost by Where You Have It
Typical amounts for a transthoracic echocardiogram (CPT 93306, 93307, 93308). Your insurance then sets your share; a self-pay or cash price is usually well below the hospital charge.
| Setting | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Imaging center or cardiology office (cash) | $200 to $1,000 |
| Hospital outpatient (billed charge) | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Medicare pays | $200 to $500 |
| Your share with insurance (in-network) | $50 to $400 |
Lowest price: an echo done at a cardiology office or imaging center rather than a hospital, with the cash price confirmed up front if you are uninsured.
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Why the Same Echo Costs So Differently
Two things decide the billed amount: where you have the echo, and how the bill is split into components.
- Site of care. A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee. The same echo at a freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center is often half the price or less.
- Technical vs. professional. The scan (technical) and the cardiologist's reading (professional) can be billed separately. Two bills for one echo is normal, not a duplicate.
- Prior authorization. Some plans require plan approval for an echo. Without it, a denial can leave you owing the full billed charge.
How to Pay Less
Choose an office or imaging center over a hospital
The facility fee at a hospital outpatient department is the biggest single add-on. A freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center is usually much cheaper for the identical echo.
Confirm prior authorization
If your plan requires it, make sure the echo is approved before the appointment so the claim is not denied and dropped on you.
Ask for the cash price if uninsured
Imaging centers and cardiology offices often quote a self-pay rate well below the billed charge. Get the cash price before you schedule.
Check whether your echo is covered
When it is ordered for a medical reason, an echo is generally covered. Use the coverage checker to see how your plan is likely to handle it.
Already have a bill? Get it reviewed
A hospital-billed echo with a facility fee is a common overcharge. CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates it, with no fee unless we save you money.
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Open the cost estimatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does an echocardiogram cost?
A transthoracic echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is billed at roughly $1,000 to $3,000. The wide range is driven mostly by site of care: a cardiology office or independent imaging center is at the low end, while a hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee that pushes it to the high end. A self-pay or cash price at an imaging center or cardiology office is often $200 to $1,000.
How much does an echocardiogram cost with insurance?
With in-network insurance, you typically owe a copay or coinsurance after your deductible, often about $50 to $400. On a high-deductible plan, you may owe the full contracted rate until the deductible is met. Some plans require prior authorization, so confirm the echo is approved first to avoid a denied claim.
How much does an echocardiogram cost with Medicare?
Medicare pays roughly $200 to $500 for an echocardiogram depending on the setting and which components are billed (the technical component for the scan and the professional component for the cardiologist's reading). Under Medicare Part B you pay 20% coinsurance after the deductible unless you have a supplement.
Why is a hospital echocardiogram so much more expensive?
A hospital outpatient department adds a facility fee on top of the imaging and physician charges, so the identical echo can be billed two to three times more than at a freestanding cardiology practice or imaging center. If your cardiologist can perform or refer the study at an office or independent center, you often pay substantially less for the same test.
How can I lower the cost of an echocardiogram?
Have the echo done at a cardiology office or imaging center rather than a hospital, confirm prior authorization so the claim is not denied, and ask for the self-pay or cash price if you are uninsured. If you get a surprise or inflated bill, have it reviewed. CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates these bills with no fee unless we save you money.
More Cost Guides
Sources
- Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and hospital outpatient rates for echocardiography (CPT 93306, 93307, 93308)
- Studies on hospital outpatient vs. freestanding imaging/cardiology site-of-care price differences
- KFF data on ACA out-of-pocket maximums (2026) and Medicare Part B cost sharing
- FAIR Health and imaging-center cash-price data for echocardiography
Prices are national estimates for 2026 and vary by site of care, which components are billed, and plan. Whether an echo is appropriate is a medical decision made with your cardiologist. This is general cost information, not medical advice. Last updated September 24, 2026.