by Aidan Kang, CFA
Senior Writer
Insurance
UPDATED: October 26, 2022

If you are feeling pain or if you have abnormal health results, your doctor may recommend that you get an ultrasound. By performing an ultrasound, you can get an idea if there is something wrong with you or not. It is also popular because unlike other tests, the procedure  is not painful and relatively quick to complete. The doctor will also be able to see the imaging in real time.

An ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless diagnostic technique that is used to generate images of the inside of the body.  Also known as sonography, ultrasound imaging uses sound waves and is commonly associated with pregnant women. It is often used to detect whether a woman is pregnant by checking for the presence of the fetus. This type of ultrasound is known as OB ultrasound or Obstetric ultrasound. However, there are different types of ultrasound procedures that can be done to diagnose or detect different conditions.

If you do not have an insurance policy or if your insurance plan does not cover the cost of an ultrasound procedure, you might be worried about how much money you need to shell out to have an ultrasound done.

The cost of an ultrasound without insurance can range from below $100 and up to $1,000 depending on the type of ultrasound you need, the state you live in, and the facility that will perform the procedure.

Typical Costs of the Common Types of Ultrasound Without Insurance

How much will an ultrasound cost if I don’t have any insurance? Different types of ultrasound have different price tags. The price of an ultrasound without insurance can be as low as $30 for a bone ultrasound, and can cost up to $1,200 for an eye ultrasound.

If you are wondering how much an ultrasound costs without insurance then read on to know the different types of ultrasound procedures as well as the price range for each procedure. Note that these costs are estimated costs. This list was created to give you an idea of the cost for an ultrasound in California, New York, and Texas.

1. OB Ultrasound for Pregnancy Without Insurance

  • California: $180 – $800
  • New York: $190 – $490
  • Texas: $200 – $500
  • California: $180 – $800
  • New York: $190 – $490
  • Texas: $200 – $500
© Nevit Dilmen / CC BY-SA

For those asking how much a pregnancy ultrasound costs without insurance, the prices listed above are indicative of how much you need to shell out per exam. This procedure is called obstetric ultrasound, which is one of the most common types of ultrasound that is performed on women. This kind of ultrasound will be able to determine the presence, age, and position of the fetus. It will also be able to detect if there are multiple pregnancies (twins) or if there are abnormalities in the pregnancy.

During the OB ultrasound, the sonographer will place the scanning device on the patient’s lower abdomen. This procedure usually takes around half an hour.

For a healthy pregnancy, a woman usually goes through 2-3 ultrasound procedures. The first ultrasound is done in the first trimester (8-13 weeks). The purpose of this ultrasound is to confirm the pregnancy. A second ultrasound is typically performed at 18 to 20 weeks to check the health of the baby, confirm the gender, and check for any abnormalities.  If required, the doctor may order a third ultrasound during the third trimester but this will depend on the pregnancy.

Some parents may also want to have a 3D or 4D scan of their baby. A 3D ultrasound offers a three-dimensional image of the baby while a 4D ultrasound can generate a video of the baby moving if it is awake. How much does a 3D or 4D ultrasound cost without insurance? A 3D image can cost from $65 while a 4D video may cost around $125.

2. Abdominal Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $180 – $800
  • New York: $190 – $490
  • Texas: $200 – $500
  • California: $180 – $800
  • New York: $190 – $490
  • Texas: $200 – $500
Abdominal_fluid_Ultrasound_110331143034_1433400
© Nevit Dilmen / CC BY-SA

If you are experiencing pain in your abdominal area or constant bloating, your doctor may order an abdominal ultrasound. This kind of ultrasound will be able to produce images of your organs in your upper abdomen. These images will be used to assess the condition of your liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, abdominal aorta, and pancreas.

By having an abdominal ultrasound, the doctor will be able to detect or evaluate if you have any health problems such as kidney stones, kidney problems, gallstones, hernia, liver cancer, appendicitis, tumors, blood clot, enlarged organs, pancreatitis, etc. The cost of abdominal ultrasound without insurance can start from $100 but the price will depend on your state and the facility you perform the exam.

3. Bone Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $30 – $70
  • New York: $30 – $80
  • Texas: $40 – $110
  • California: $30 – $70
  • New York: $30 – $80
  • Texas: $40 – $110

A bone ultrasound can also be ordered by your doctor. According to a study by the American Osteopathic Association, using a bone ultrasound can assess bone health. Researchers maintained that using this cost-effective method can help increase bone health screenings. People who are at risk for bone diseases like osteoporosis could benefit from using ultrasound to evaluate their bone health.

4. Breast Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $120 – $300
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $100 – $240
  • California: $120 – $300
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $100 – $240

If there is an abnormal finding in a mammogram, a clinical breast exam, or a breast MRI, a breast ultrasound is usually used as a follow-up procedure. This type of ultrasound will be able to show internal structures of the breast. With the ultrasound images, the doctor will be able to see if there are lumps present, the size and location of the lump, and whether the lump is a solid tumor or a fluid-filled cyst. Further tests and procedures may be needed to see whether the lump is cancerous or not.

For people who have breast implants, a breast ultrasound may also be required to monitor the implants. A breast ultrasound may be able to help the plastic surgeon see whether a breast implant has ruptured and if corrective surgery is required.

So, how much is a breast ultrasound without insurance? In the United States, the price varies greatly depending on your state of residence and the facility but expect to pay from $100 to $300 for an exam.

5. Chest Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $260 – $675
  • New York: $130 – $320
  • Texas: $120 – $310
  • California: $260 – $675
  • New York: $130 – $320
  • Texas: $120 – $310

For a doctor to be able to evaluate the organs in your chest area, you may need to have a chest ultrasound performed. This type of ultrasound will be able to show your heart, lungs, esophagus, mid-chest area, the space between your chest wall and your lungs, and other chest structures. Usually, this ultrasound is needed to see the function of your heart and lungs or to check if there is extra fluid in your chest.

6. Extremity (Nonvascular) Ultrasound without Insurance

  • California: $260 – $675
  • New York: $130 – $320
  • Texas: $120 – $310
  • California: $260 – $675
  • New York: $130 – $320
  • Texas: $120 – $310

For a doctor to be able to evaluate the organs in your chest area, you may need to have a chest ultrasound performed. This type of ultrasound will be able to show your heart, lungs, esophagus, mid-chest area, the space between your chest wall and your lungs, and other chest structures. Usually, this ultrasound is needed to see the function of your heart and lungs or to check if there is extra fluid in your chest.

7. Eye Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $470 – $1,250
  • New York: $450 – $1,200
  • Texas: $170 – $440
  • California: $470 – $1,250
  • New York: $450 – $1,200
  • Texas: $170 – $440

Eye_ultrasound_110318153108_1539230

If you are having eye problems, having an eye ultrasound may be necessary to help the doctor check whether you have tumors, bleeding in your eye, or cataracts. An eye ultrasound may also be performed if you are to undergo an eye surgery.

8. Thyroid / Head and Neck Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $100 – $240
  • New York: $90 – $230
  • Texas: $80 – $190
  • California: $100 – $240
  • New York: $90 – $230
  • Texas: $80 – $190

A head and neck ultrasound is performed to examine the soft tissues in the head and neck area such as the salivary glands and the thyroid glands. This ultrasound can also help diagnose lesions and neck masses in these areas.  This kind of ultrasound is also referred to as Thyroid ultrasound as it can check whether you have an overactive/underactive thyroid or if you have any abnormal growth on your thyroid. The cost of thyroid ultrasound can be as low as $80 but can range up to $1,000

9. Head Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270
  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270

A head ultrasound can help doctors see through the inside of the brain. This procedure is normally performed on infants or babies younger than six months to see whether there are existing brain problems like infections, cysts, excess fluid, or tumors. This kind of ultrasound is rarely performed in adults because the bones of the skull block the sound waves.

10. Pelvic Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270
  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270
Shf_ohne_dislokation_medial_ap
Photo by Sjoehest

A head ultrasound can help doctors see through the inside of the brain. This procedure is normally performed on infants or babies younger than six months to see whether there are existing brain problems like infections, cysts, excess fluid, or tumors. This kind of ultrasound is rarely performed in adults because the bones of the skull block the sound waves.

11. Spinal Ultrasound Without Insurance

  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270
  • California: $110 – $290
  • New York: $120 – $300
  • Texas: $110 – $270

x-rays-hospital-disability-doctor-patient-care-spinal-cord-illness-clinic

A head ultrasound can help doctors see through the inside of the brain. This procedure is normally performed on infants or babies younger than six months to see whether there are existing brain problems like infections, cysts, excess fluid, or tumors. This kind of ultrasound is rarely performed in adults because the bones of the skull block the sound waves.

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Do I Have to Pay Other Fees Aside from the Cost of the Ultrasound?

The costs listed above are the price ranges of the different kinds of ultrasound to give you an idea of how they may vary. Depending on where you live, you have to check with a provider near you for the exact price and if there are additional fees such as doctor’s fees that are associated with the procedure. Some high-end hospitals may charge much higher than the price range indicated in the earlier section compared to independent medical imaging facilities.

So, if you are looking for cheap ultrasounds without insurance, the best course of action is to review all the available medical imaging facilities in your area to find the lowest price. Again, you have to make sure to inquire if there will be additional costs that you need to pay aside from the cost of the ultrasound procedure.

Where Can I Get an Ultrasound Without Insurance?

If you are looking for a specific type of ultrasound and you want to know where to get this procedure without insurance, you can use the following methods:

Option 1

  • Go to Google and search “ultrasound near me”.
  • Based on your location, you will see a list of the medical imaging facilities that offer ultrasound in your area.
  • It is also recommended that you indicate the type of ultrasound that you are looking for. Ex: OB ultrasound near me

Option 2

  • Go to the New Choice Health website. On this website, you can select the procedure that you are looking for (ex: Breast Ultrasound) and choose your state.
  • In “Insurance Type”, make sure to select “Uninsured/Self-Pay” to indicate that you do not have any insurance.
  • You will then get a list of all the ultrasound providers in your area with a price range of how much the procedure will cost.
  • Based on your location, it is recommended to shortlist 4-5 facilities and call them to check the exact costs and additional fees if applicable.

If you have an insurance plan, it is best to inquire with your insurance provider first if this procedure is covered. However, there are insurance providers that will only cover a portion of the cost or will only cover the procedure if it was requested by your doctor. Depending on your insurance provider, the cost that you need to pay may also vary. You also have to check if the medical imaging facility near you accepts your insurance.