How Much is An Ultrasound With No Insurance Cover
How Much is An Ultrasound With No Insurance?
There is no standard cost for an ultrasound without insurance; however, the estimated average cost is between $300 and $500. Although in some cases, the price range differs and varies between $100 and $1,000. The cost is usually determined by the place where the examination or ultrasound takes place, the specific part of the body the examination is carried out on, and then the state and city where you live.
An ultrasound in most cities ranges from about $110 to $370. The price of an ultrasound with no insurance may be higher in cities than in suburban areas, so looking for a doctor’s office outside of the city may help you save money.
What is the Cost of an Ultrasound in the U.S.A With No Insurance?
Like we said earlier, the cost of ultrasound in the US is relatively high in some states and cheaper in other states.
For example, Florida charges as much as 308% for abdominal ultrasounds, which is more than the national average compared to other states. The cost in New Jersey is as low as 57%.
Some people believe that the cost of living statistics in a particular state influence the cost of an ultrasound, but the city of Hawaii is seen as the most expensive state in the US; the national average for an ultrasound there is $365. So the argument that the cost is determined by the cost of living in a place does not really hold any water.
Below is the average cost of ultrasound procedures in several cities in the United States.
NOTE: The above prices are subject to high inflation and could change at any moment.
From there, you will no doubt be able to assess certain specific quotes and do so with confidence.
| State: | Average Cost of an Ultrasound: |
| Alabama | $860 |
| Alaska | $897 |
| Arizona | $1,125 |
| Arkansas | $388 |
| California | $1,121 |
| Colorado | $899 |
| Connecticut | $695 |
| Delaware | $1,155 |
| District of Columbia | $1,110 |
| Florida | $2,295 |
| Georgia | $952 |
| Hawaii | $365 |
| Idaho | $542 |
| Illinois | $1,068 |
| Indiana | $678 |
| Iowa | $736 |
| Kansas | $1,002 |
| Kentucky | $640 |
| Louisiana | $538 |
| Maine | $716 |
| Maryland | $434 |
| Massachusetts | $785 |
| Michigan | $548 |
| Minnesota | $556 |
| Mississippi | $525 |
| Missouri | $803 |
| Montana | $351 |
| Nebraska | $843 |
| Nevada | $1,041 |
| New Hampshire | $565 |
| New Jersey | $319 |
| New Mexico | $646 |
| New York | $676 |
| North Carolina | $625 |
| North Dakota | $535 |
| Ohio | $643 |
| Oklahoma | $507 |
| Oregon | $478 |
| Pennsylvania | $548 |
| Rhode Island | $386 |
| South Carolina | $912 |
| South Dakota | $871 |
| Tennessee | $719 |
| Texas | $1,269 |
| Utah | $462 |
| Vermont | $773 |
| Virginia | $1,114 |
| Washington | $518 |
| West Virginia | $385 |
| Wisconsin | $679 |
| Wyoming | $899 |
Source: New Choice Health
The cost of your ultrasound can also vary depending on the type of ultrasound you are receiving. Below we list the average costs of ultrasound performed on various regions of the body.
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Average Cost of Ultrasound With No Insurance by Body Part In The US
Most of the quoted prices will reflect the cost of pelvic ultrasound, as this is the most common method of ultrasound scanning— used mainly to ensure that pregnancies are progressing as expected.
Sometimes, scans can be charged per body area, such as breast scans costing a fixed sum per breast or depending on your doctors’ recommendations. In vascular (DVT) scans, usually, a fixed cost is provided based on the limb or vessel area scanned. Additionally, musculoskeletal scans intended to assess muscle, joint tendon, and ligament disease will also be priced depending on the separate body areas scanned.
Below, we’ll use a few treatments determined by three major States to help you gauge the difference between treatments and know how much is an Ultrasound with no insurance cover.
All prices below are given without insurance as a factor:
Fetal Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $180–$800 |
| New York | $190–$480 |
| Texas | $200–$500 |
Abdominal Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $140–$360 |
| New York | $130–$320 |
| Texas | $100–$260 |
Bone Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $30–$70 |
| New York | $30–$80 |
| Texas | $40–$110 |
Breast Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $120–$300 |
| New York | $120–$300 |
| Texas | $100–$240 |
Chest Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $260–$675 |
| New York | $130–$320 |
| Texas | $120–$310 |
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Extremity (Nonvascular) Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $130–$320 |
| New York | $130–$320 |
| Texas | $100–$250 |
Eye Ultrasound Without Insurance
| State: | Cost Parameters: |
| California | $470–$1,250 |
| New York | $450–$1,200 |
| Texas | $170–$440 |
Note that prices of an Ultrasound with no insurance may change depending on your location and the available provisions.
Source: New Choice Health
Based on the charts above, it is clear that the price of an ultrasound can vary tremendously based on the type of ultrasound you get and where you live. Below we outline estimated prices for ten different types of ultrasounds in California, New York, and Texas.
Average Cost of Common Ultrasound in Different Cities in US
Of course, average cost of an Ultrasound with no insurance may be higher in areas where healthcare services are less supplied or understaffed. Furthermore, areas with a higher cost of living may reflect in your healthcare prices, but this is not always the case.
In many cases, the capital city of each state will reflect the averages given above, but in some cases, they can be significantly higher. Also, you should note that when you search for ultrasound quotes in your city, your returned results do not imply a modicum of health coverage if you’re looking for the actual out-of-pocket cost.
Note that not all cities will be lucky enough to house a plethora of competing healthcare providers. This can lead to costs rising significantly based on a lack of potential alternatives. Often, out-of-pocket expenses can be managed if they are planned in advance.
Payment plans, deposits, and a breakdown of additional costs will help you more readily plan and pay off these costs as needed, without necessarily having to be immediately out of pocket as a result of your procedure taking place.
| Type of Ultrasound | Estimated Price in California | Estimated Price in New York | Estimated Price in Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fetal | $180 – $800 | $190 – $480 | $200 – $500 |
| Abdominal | $140 – $360 | $130 – $320 | $100 – $260 |
| Bone | $30 – $70 | $30 – $80 | $40 – $110 |
| Breast | $120 – $300 | $120 – $300 | $100 – $240 |
| Chest | $260 – $675 | $130 – $320 | $120 – $310 |
| Extremity | $130 – $320 | $130 – $320 | $100 – $250 |
| Eye | $470 – $1,250 | $450 – $1,200 | $170 – $440 |
| Head and Neck | $100 – $240 | $90 – $230 | $80 – $190 |
| Pelvic | $180 – $450 | $170 – $440 | $140 – $350 |
| Spinal | $150 – $370 | $150 – $380 | $130 – $340 |
NOTE: The prices above are subject to change from time to time.
Factors That Impact the Ultrasound Pricing Without Insurance
- Type of Ultrasound Involved
As explored above, the ultrasound type you are given can dramatically differentiate the price quoted. Some ultrasounds are scheduled throughout several months of a pregnancy, and as such, may be factored into the wider cost of planned appointments.
As listed in our table above, bone ultrasounds are cheaper than abdominal ultrasounds. However, when ultrasounds are scheduled as an identifying procedure, in the case of mapping conditions and other internal issues, prices may become more expensive. Depending on the accuracy of the scan required, the post-review inspections of the images provided, and the aftercare and need for more scans, your costs may fluctuate.
2. Body Parts Scanned
Some areas of the body are more difficult to scan and assess than others. Eye ultrasounds require essential specialists to come in and look at your particular readings, meaning that the cost is higher compared to standard pelvic ultrasounds, where training is far more ubiquitous and the procedure is far more common.
Some ultrasounds will require immediate referral to other procedures that need to take place, such as an MRI. After all, ultrasounds cannot show actual structures, only soft tissues, so deeper and more penetrative diagnostic tools may be required.
Note that ultrasound scans are not solely maintenance procedures; they are diagnostic tools designed to refer you to appropriate treatment or further scans, should that be necessary.
As such, it’s important to be prepared for further costs should they arise.
3. Location
As discussed above, healthcare provisions and associated costs can vary wildly depending on your location.
Influential factors such as how many local providers are ready to provide this service, the cost of living, inflation, rising costs of medical materials, and coverage statistics, can influence your healthcare costs.
As such, essential costs are best considered as part of your healthcare planning.
How Is an Ultrasound Examination Carried Out?
In many cases, the nurse can carry out the entire procedure. Often, there will be no special preparation required other than not eating or drinking for around an hour beforehand. However, doctors may advise an eight to 12 fast beforehand, depending on the reason for the procedure.
During an ultrasound examination, you will be dressed in a hospital gown which permits comfort and easy access on behalf of your radiologist, nurse, or doctor.
The practitioner will then apply a translucent lubricating jelly to your skin to prevent friction while holding the scanner in place. The ultrasound head, known as the transducer, will implement harmless high-frequency sound waves through your body, echoing and providing a clear image of your internal organs.
This procedure will last a maximum of 30 minutes, but some procedures can last longer or commence again, for accuracy’s sake.
Additionally, some transducers may be placed in different areas of your body depending on why the scan is being carried out. For instance, a trans- esophageal transducer is used within the patient’s throat, while endo-vaginal transducers are used to assess the female organs of the pelvic region.
Contacting your local medical provider and asking them about the availability of their ultrasound capabilities will aid you in scheduling an appointment. Also, don’t be afraid to contact multiple providers to gain a quote for their services.
Are There Side Effects to an Ultrasound Examination?
Ultrasound examinations are known to be completely safe and easy to tolerate. Most ultrasounds are non-intrusive, and you won’t “feel” the scan as it happens. Ultrasounds also do not affect your baby’s health and well-being, and so they remain a convenient and trusted means of assessing internal health.
The most discomfort you will have to go to is avoiding drinking or eating for a short period before the scan. But, for most people, this is more than tolerable.
What Are the Benefits of an Ultrasound Exam?
There are many benefits of having an ultrasound exam compared to other procedures; including:
- A non-invasive procedure; ultrasounds completely eschew the need for injections or needles.
While sometimes slightly uncomfortable, depending on how sensitive you are to the small amount of pressure applied by the wand, they will not be painful. - Ultrasounds are widely available and easy to use, meaning that training is direct and universal among many healthcare staff. Therefore, you should be able to find a provider with ease.
- Ultrasounds can provide a detailed image of soft tissues, which may not be shown as clearly during X-rays.
Ultrasounds offer real-time imaging, which means that other procedures like fluid aspirations are less required. - There are no known risks regarding ultrasounds. They are considered maximally safe, especially in sensitive scenarios, such as when assessing the development of babies in utero.
Are There Limitations to the Ultrasound Procedure?
As with any medical procedure, sometimes ultrasounds cannot show everything that needs to be assessed. For instance, larger patients can find that ultrasounds are less effective based on the larger amount of soft tissue present in their bodies.
Furthermore, while bone ultrasounds are a standard procedure, they are primarily used to identify the outer health of bone structures and not the composition inside. For example, they may be able to identify fractures, but only as a reference for further scans, such as an X-ray.
Additionally, as ultrasound waves are disrupted by gas or air, they are not ideal for scanning the bowel or organs that might be obscured by it. This is also the case with lungs, although the surrounding fluid encompassing that organ can be identified through this procedure.
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Where Can I Get an Ultrasound Without Insurance?
Many factors can influence the average cost of ultrasounds without insurance (look to the end of this article for influencing factors worth keeping in mind). But before you start thinking about what this will cost you, it’s important to know if this procedure is available near you.
Most healthcare providers and clinics will be able to provide you with an ultrasound, given how common the procedure is. Depending on your needs and their availability, the procedure will be performed by a radiographer, doctor, or sonographer. Then, the images will be inspected by a cardiologist, doctor, or registered nurse.
How Much Is an Ultrasound Out of Pocket?
The average out-of-pocket price for an ultrasound can vary depending on where you live and what kind of healthcare system you have. In some countries, this procedure is free; in others, it may cost thousands of dollars depending on the availability and purpose of the procedure.
In a statistical analysis carried out by comparative healthcare services, the average cost for an out-of-pocket ultrasound is $630. However, as you’ll see in our further breakdown, this figure can differ wildly depending on your location.
Conclusion on How Much is An Ultrasound With No Insurance Cover
Navigating your way through healthcare costs without insurance can feel tricky at times. Just because you are not insured, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve robust, effective, and reasonably priced healthcare just like everyone else.
When in need of treatment or identifying scans, it’s best to be proactive in gauging costs so that you can begin planning for such expenditure as soon as possible and looking at possible coverage options should you need them.
In this post, we asked and answered the question, “How Much is An Ultrasound With No Insurance Cover?”
While it can be hard to give an exact estimate, working with averages and understanding the influencing factors, including location, body type, scan definition, and the competing costs between healthcare providers, can help you arrive at a necessary estimate.