Ultrasound cost without insurance, by type
At an independent center the typical ultrasound price runs from $170 to $380 depending on the exam; the type of exam matters less than where you have it. In a hospital outpatient department the same exam typically costs 2.2–3.1 times as much.[1][2]
| Ultrasound | Center, typical | Center range | Hospital, typical | Hospital range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abdomen, complete 76700 | $230 | $140–$340 | $550 | $340–$840 |
Abdomen, limited (e.g. gallbladder) 76705 | $170 | $100–$260 | $520 | $320–$790 |
Pelvis, through the belly 76856 | $210 | $120–$310 | $530 | $320–$810 |
Pelvis, transvaginal 76830 | $230 | $140–$340 | $530 | $330–$810 |
Pregnancy, after 14 weeks 76805 | $260 | $160–$390 | $580 | $360–$890 |
Thyroid and neck 76536 | $210 | $130–$320 | $510 | $310–$780 |
Breast, one side 76641 | $200 | $120–$300 | $540 | $330–$820 |
Carotid arteries (neck vessels) 93880 | $380 | $230–$560 | $1,100 | $670–$1,650 |
A limited exam that looks at one organ, such as the gallbladder, costs about 26% less than a complete abdominal ultrasound at a center. A carotid artery study is a vascular exam with its own code and a higher hospital payment level (APC 5523), which makes it the most expensive scan on the list.
Why hospital ultrasounds cost more
A hospital bills a facility fee for the room, machine and sonographer, and the radiologist bills the reading separately; an independent center charges one fee for both. In Medicare's hospital system 7 of the 8 ultrasounds above share one payment level (APC 5522, $116.37 nationally), and that facility payment alone is more than Medicare's whole payment for a complete abdominal ultrasound at a center ($113.55).[2]
Hospitals mark ultrasound up less than MRI or CT, so our hospital multiplier for ultrasound is smaller; the multipliers and the reasons are on the methodology page. The evidence:
- Employer plans paid hospital outpatient departments 245% of Medicare for ultrasounds in 2022, the lowest ratio of the four imaging types the Health Care Cost Institute measured (X-rays were 314%).[3]
- Hospitals' posted cash prices in July 2021 had a median of $560 for a complete abdominal ultrasound.[4]
How much is a pregnancy ultrasound without insurance?
A standard pregnancy ultrasound after the first trimester typically costs $260 at an independent center or doctor's office ($160–$390) and $580 at a hospital ($360–$890). If a transvaginal scan is ordered instead, it is about $230 at a center. Each ultrasound during a pregnancy is billed on its own, so budget for every scan your doctor or midwife plans.
Before paying out of pocket, check whether you qualify for Medicaid: it pays for about 41% of all births in the United States.[5] Our guide to getting health insurance without a job covers Medicaid and Marketplace options, and federally funded health centers charge on a sliding fee scale by income.
Mammogram cost without insurance
A screening mammogram of both breasts typically costs $250 without insurance ($150–$370). Medicare pays for mammograms from the physician fee schedule even when a hospital performs them, so there is no separate hospital facility rate in our estimate; hospitals still set their own cash prices.[2] In July 2021 the median posted hospital cash price for a screening mammogram was $233.[4]
| Exam | Code | Typical | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screening mammogram, both breasts | 77067 | $250 | $150–$370 |
| Breast ultrasound, one side (center) | 76641 | $200 | $120–$300 |
| Breast ultrasound, one side (hospital) | 76641 | $540 | $330–$820 |
A 3D mammogram (breast tomosynthesis) adds an extra code, 77063, to the screening exam, so it costs more than the standard 2D screening.[1] If a screening finds something, the follow-up diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound is billed as a new exam.
Free or low-cost mammograms.The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost screening through state programs if you have no insurance (or your insurance does not cover screening), your income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, and you are 40 to 64 for breast cancer screening.[6]
What affects the price of an ultrasound
| Factor | Effect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital vs independent center | 2.2–3.1× higher in a hospital | Facility fee plus a separate reading fee |
| Complete vs limited exam | Limited about 26% less | A limited exam checks one organ or one question |
| Vascular (blood flow) studies | Carotid: $380 center, $1,100 hospital | Separate codes in a higher hospital payment level |
| Pregnancy | Several scans over a pregnancy | Each scan is billed on its own |
| One side or both | Per side for breast exams | The breast code is per breast |
| Your area | Moderate | Medicare's local cost indexes, applied in the estimator |
Ways to pay less for an ultrasound
- Schedule at a freestanding center or a doctor's office with its own machine. Ask whether the location bills as a hospital department; if it does, expect a facility fee and a separate radiologist bill.
- Compare cash prices by code. Read the code off your order and call two or three places. Hospitals must publish a discounted cash price for shoppable services.[7]
- Ask for a good faith estimate. For care booked three or more business days ahead, uninsured patients have a right to a written estimate.[8] See good faith estimates.
- Use public screening programs. For mammograms, the CDC program above can cover screening for eligible women.[6]
- Counter a high bill with the Medicare rate. Look it up in the Medicare fee schedule lookup and follow our negotiation steps.
Ultrasound is usually cheaper than cross-sectional imaging of the same area: an abdominal ultrasound is about $230 at a center against $360 for an abdomen and pelvis CT and $390 for an abdominal MRI. The test you need is your doctor's decision; compare CT scan cost, MRI cost and X-ray cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ultrasound cost without insurance at a hospital?
About $310–$1,650 at national prices, or 2.2–3.1 times the price at an independent imaging center, because the hospital adds a facility fee and the radiologist bills separately.
How much is a pregnancy ultrasound without insurance?
About $160–$390 at a center or office and $360–$890 at a hospital for a standard scan after 14 weeks. Check Medicaid eligibility first: it pays for about 41% of U.S. births.[5]
How much is a mammogram without insurance?
A screening mammogram is typically $250 ($150–$370) without insurance. If you are 40 to 64 with a low income and no coverage for screening, the CDC's early detection program may cover it for free or at low cost.[6]
Is a limited ultrasound cheaper than a complete one?
Yes, about 26% less at a center: $170 versus $230 for the abdomen. Your doctor's order decides which one is done.
Sources
- PFS Relative Value Files: RVU27A (PPRRVU2027_Jan), released November 10, 2026
- CY 2027 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period (CMS-1850-FC) and Addenda A and B
- Imaging Services are the Second Most Common Outpatient Service (issue brief)
- Comparison of US Hospital Cash Prices and Commercial Negotiated Prices for 70 Services (Jiang, Makary, Bai)
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Quality
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: Find a Screening Program Near You
- 45 CFR Part 180: Hospital Price Transparency (§180.20 definitions, §180.60 shoppable services)
- Good faith estimate guide (No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients)