How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost in 2026?
An ultrasound costs $100 to $1,000 without insurance and $0 to $250 with insurance. The price depends heavily on the type of ultrasound, where it is performed, and whether it is considered preventive or diagnostic.
Free app • $0 bill negotiation unless we save you money
On this page
Ultrasound Cost by Type
Ultrasound pricing varies significantly depending on the type of scan. A simple abdominal ultrasound and a full cardiac echocardiogram use entirely different equipment, take different amounts of time, and require different levels of interpretation. Here are national average costs for common ultrasound types.
| Type of Ultrasound | Without Insurance | With Insurance | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy/OB | $200 to $500 | $0 (preventive) | Dating, anatomy scan, growth checks |
| Abdominal | $100 to $500 | $50 to $200 | Gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas |
| Pelvic/Transvaginal | $150 to $500 | $50 to $200 | Ovarian cysts, fibroids, fertility evaluation |
| Cardiac Echo | $500 to $2,500 | $100 to $500 | Heart valve issues, heart failure, murmurs |
| Thyroid/Neck | $100 to $400 | $50 to $150 | Thyroid nodules, lymph nodes, masses |
| Musculoskeletal | $150 to $500 | $50 to $200 | Tendon tears, joint inflammation, soft tissue |
| Vascular/Doppler | $200 to $800 | $75 to $250 | Blood clots, carotid artery, varicose veins |
Sources: Based on CMS fee schedules, Healthcare Bluebook fair price estimates, and national self-pay pricing databases for 2026. Actual costs vary by region and facility.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Costs
Good news: most pregnancy ultrasounds are free with insurance
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), routine prenatal ultrasounds are classified as preventive care. This means most insured patients pay $0 out of pocket for standard pregnancy scans. This includes the first-trimester dating ultrasound and the 18 to 20 week anatomy scan.
Typical pregnancy ultrasound schedule
First trimester dating scan (6 to 10 weeks)
Confirms pregnancy, dates gestational age, checks heartbeat
Anatomy scan (18 to 20 weeks)
Detailed fetal anatomy check, gender determination
Growth scans (third trimester, if ordered)
Monitors fetal growth for high-risk pregnancies
A typical low-risk pregnancy involves 2 to 3 ultrasounds total. High-risk pregnancies may require monthly or even weekly scans in the third trimester. Additional scans beyond the standard schedule are coded as diagnostic rather than preventive, meaning your deductible and coinsurance may apply.
Without insurance: Each pregnancy ultrasound costs $200 to $500 at an OB office or imaging center. If you are paying out of pocket for prenatal care, ask your provider about a bundled maternity package that includes all ultrasounds for a flat fee (typically $2,000 to $4,000 for the full pregnancy).
Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound) Cost
Echocardiograms are the most expensive ultrasound type
A standard transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) costs $500 to $2,500 without insurance. Stress echocardiograms and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) cost even more. These are often performed in a hospital cardiology department, which adds a facility fee.
| Echo Type | Cardiology Office | Hospital Outpatient | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transthoracic (TTE) | $500 to $1,000 | $1,500 to $2,500 | Most common type, standard heart function check |
| Stress Echo | $800 to $1,500 | $2,000 to $3,500 | Includes exercise or medication to stress the heart |
| Transesophageal (TEE) | $1,000 to $2,000 | $2,500 to $5,000 | Probe goes down throat, requires sedation |
Because echocardiograms require specialized cardiac sonographers and cardiologist interpretation, they cost considerably more than other ultrasound types. If your cardiologist is affiliated with a hospital system, ask whether the echo can be performed at their freestanding office rather than the hospital outpatient department. The quality is identical, but the hospital setting adds $500 to $1,500 in facility fees.
Hospital vs Freestanding Imaging Center
The same ultrasound can cost 2 to 3x more at a hospital
Hospitals add a facility fee on top of the professional fee for performing and interpreting the ultrasound. This facility fee alone can be $200 to $800+. Freestanding imaging centers and independent OB offices do not charge this fee.
Freestanding Imaging Center
- • 40 to 65% less than hospital
- • No hospital facility fee
- • Same ultrasound machines and technology
- • Certified sonographers
- • Often same-week scheduling
- • Many post transparent cash prices online
Hospital-Based Ultrasound
- • 2 to 3x more expensive
- • Adds facility fee ($200 to $800+)
- • Same scan quality in most cases
- • May be required for complex procedures (TEE)
- • Convenient if already at hospital for other care
- • Often the only option in emergencies
Example: An abdominal ultrasound that costs $150 at a freestanding center might cost $400 to $600 at a hospital outpatient department. A cardiac echo at $600 in a cardiology office could be $1,800+ at the same hospital system’s outpatient center.
3D/4D Elective Ultrasounds
Elective 3D and 4D ultrasounds (sometimes called “keepsake” or “bonding” ultrasounds) are offered by boutique ultrasound studios. These are purely optional, not medically necessary, and are never covered by insurance.
Typical 3D/4D pricing at boutique studios
- • Basic package (10 to 15 minutes, printed photos): $80 to $150
- • Standard package (20 to 30 minutes, digital images, gender reveal): $150 to $250
- • Premium package (HD/5D imaging, video recording, heartbeat bear): $200 to $350
Important: Elective ultrasound studios are not medical facilities. They do not diagnose conditions, and their technicians may not be certified diagnostic sonographers. These scans are for entertainment only. Always follow your OB’s recommended medical ultrasound schedule regardless of elective scans.
Insurance Coverage for Ultrasounds
Covered as Preventive ($0 copay)
- • Routine pregnancy ultrasounds (dating, anatomy scan)
- • Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (one-time for men 65 to 75 who have smoked)
- • Some plans cover annual pelvic ultrasound for high-risk patients
Diagnostic (Subject to deductible)
- • Abdominal ultrasound for pain or symptoms
- • Pelvic ultrasound for abnormal bleeding
- • Echocardiogram for heart symptoms
- • Thyroid ultrasound for nodules
- • Vascular Doppler for blood clots
- • Additional pregnancy scans beyond standard schedule
How diagnostic ultrasound billing works: If your ultrasound is ordered because of symptoms (pain, a lump, abnormal lab results), it is coded as diagnostic. You will owe your deductible and coinsurance. A typical scenario: the ultrasound costs $300, your insurer’s negotiated rate is $180, and after your deductible you owe 20% ($36). If you have not met your deductible, you owe the full $180 negotiated rate.
Pro tip: If you are pregnant and getting ultrasounds at your OB office, confirm that the office bills them with the correct preventive diagnosis code (Z34.xx for routine pregnancy supervision). If coded incorrectly as diagnostic, you could be charged a copay for a scan that should be free.
Self-Pay and Uninsured Options
If you do not have insurance or have a high-deductible plan, you have several options to reduce your ultrasound cost.
Ask for the Cash-Pay Price
Most imaging centers offer a self-pay or cash price that is 30 to 60% less than the billed rate. Call ahead and ask: “What is your cash price for a [type] ultrasound?” Many centers post these prices online. A standard abdominal ultrasound may be as low as $100 to $200 at cash-pay rates.
Choose a Freestanding Imaging Center
Avoid hospitals for routine ultrasounds. Ask your doctor for a written order that you can take to any imaging center. The scan quality is identical at a fraction of the price.
Compare Your Insurance Rate to Cash
If you have a high-deductible plan and have not met your deductible, the cash price at a freestanding center may be lower than your insurer’s negotiated rate at a hospital. Compare both options before scheduling.
Negotiate After the Fact
If you already received a hospital-based ultrasound and the bill is higher than expected, request an itemized bill, check for errors, and ask for a self-pay discount or payment plan.
Free itemized bill request letter →Community Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer sliding-scale pricing based on income. Many provide prenatal care including ultrasounds at reduced or no cost for uninsured patients.
Got an Ultrasound Bill That Seems Too High?
CareRoute Bill Defense negotiates your medical bills for you. We find billing errors, apply for financial assistance on your behalf, and negotiate directly with providers. You pay nothing unless we save you money.
$0 unless we save you money • Average savings: $600+