How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost?

Ultrasound costs range from about $100 for a simple diagnostic scan to over $2,000 for a complex echocardiogram at a hospital outpatient facility. According to CMS data, the echocardiogram (CPT 93306) is the highest-volume ultrasound procedure, with over 3.8 million Medicare services per year and average submitted charges between $303 and $684. Where you get the ultrasound and what type you need makes an enormous difference in what you pay.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost by Type?

Ultrasound pricing depends heavily on what's being imaged and how complex the study is. Here are the most common ultrasound procedures and their typical costs based on Medicare and industry data:

• Echocardiogram — transthoracic, complete (CPT 93306): The most common cardiac ultrasound, used to evaluate heart function, valve problems, and heart failure. With over 3.8 million Medicare services annually, average submitted charges run $303–$684. This is typically the most expensive common ultrasound type.
• Abdominal ultrasound, complete (CPT 76700): Used to evaluate the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen. It's one of the first tests ordered for abdominal pain, and typical charges range from $200–$500.
• Pelvic ultrasound (CPT 76856): Used to evaluate the uterus, ovaries, and bladder. Common for evaluating pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and ovarian cysts. Typical charges range from $200–$550.
• Pregnancy ultrasound (CPT 76801, 76805): Among the most commonly performed ultrasounds overall, used for dating, anatomy scans, and fetal monitoring. Typical charges range from $200–$600, though these are largely absent from Medicare data since they affect a younger population.
• Thyroid ultrasound (CPT 76536): Used to evaluate thyroid nodules and guide biopsies. Typical charges range from $150–$500.

Why Ultrasound Costs Vary So Much

Like most imaging procedures, the facility where you get the ultrasound has the single largest impact on price. A hospital outpatient department will typically charge significantly more than a freestanding imaging center or your doctor's office for the same scan.

Key factors driving price differences include:

• Facility type: An echocardiogram at a hospital outpatient department might be billed at $1,500–$2,500, while a cardiology office might charge $300–$600 for the same study
• Geographic location: Urban centers and high-cost-of-living areas have notably higher prices
• Complete vs. limited study: A "complete" ultrasound examines all structures in a region, while a "limited" or "focused" study targets a specific concern and costs less
• Doppler add-ons: Doppler studies that evaluate blood flow are often billed separately, adding $100–$300 to the total
• Professional vs. technical component: The radiologist's reading (professional) and the actual scan (technical) may be billed separately, especially at hospitals

With Insurance vs. Without Insurance

With insurance, ultrasounds are generally covered when medically necessary. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible status: if you haven't met your deductible, you'll pay the negotiated rate in full. After meeting it, you'll typically owe a copay of $20–$75 or coinsurance of 10–30%. Preventive pregnancy ultrasounds are often covered at no cost under ACA preventive care provisions.

Without insurance, you'll face the facility's full charge, which at a hospital can be $500–$2,500+ for a cardiac or complex study. However, freestanding imaging centers and some physician offices offer transparent cash prices that can be 50–70% lower. Always ask for the self-pay rate before scheduling.

How to Lower Your Ultrasound Cost

• Ask for the cash/self-pay price: Even with insurance, the cash price at a freestanding center may be less than your insurer's negotiated rate at a hospital if you haven't met your deductible
• Compare prices at freestanding centers vs. hospitals: The price difference for the same ultrasound can be dramatic — $200 at an independent center vs. $1,200 at a hospital
• Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool as a benchmark: Medicare rates represent a fair baseline for what the procedure should cost
• Ask if a limited study is appropriate: If your doctor is looking for something specific, a limited ultrasound costs less than a complete study
• Verify the billing codes after your scan: Make sure you weren't billed for a complete study when only a limited one was performed, and check for unexpected Doppler charges
• Check if your scan qualifies as preventive: Certain screening ultrasounds, including pregnancy-related scans, may be covered at $0 under ACA preventive care requirements

Want to check if your ultrasound bill is fair? Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to see what Medicare pays for this procedure in your area, or upload your bill for a full analysis.

Where This Data Comes From

Cost data shown on this page comes from two public CMS datasets: the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (what Medicare reimburses) and the Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data (what providers actually charge, based on 100% of Medicare fee-for-service claims). The map above shows average submitted charges by state from the 2023 utilization dataset.

These figures represent Medicare data only and may not reflect prices for commercially insured or uninsured patients. Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to search for any procedure.