If you have an accident and start to feel pain in any part of your body, you will normally need to go to the doctor and get an ultrasound to examine if something severe is going on. Taking it is quite expensive, but you do not need to worry if you have health insurance. However, for people who do not have insurance, how much will it cost?
It depends on various factors, like the type of ultrasound you need and the hospital where you are. The average cost can go as low as $50 to even $1,000 or more.
Because of this, you should get prepared for the medical bill, and researching the type of ultrasound and its price is the first step. Even though prices can change in the future, you can still have some clue on whether you can afford to pay for the procedure or not.
Aspects that can determine the Ultrasound price
This procedure is non-invasive, meaning that it does not bring harm to your body. Getting an ultrasound without insurance can be painful if you do not know what you are getting into. Yes, these scans are important to see if you need surgery or a more complex scan, so you should be ready for the cost.
Fortunately, these price variations can be easy to identify, but it can take some time, so be patient.
Location
The place where you reside can affect the price of the ultrasound dramatically. Some of the reasons are inflation costs, the number of facilities and professionals doing the procedure, and even the number of people living in the city or state.
For example, some of the most populated states are Florida and California. Research shows that these have, on average, some of the more expensive ultrasounds you can get without insurance. On the other hand, states like New Jersey and Montana have low prices.
Body part
The cost may increase depending on the part of the body in which you feel pain, and that needs to be examined. It can get more expensive if you do not have insurance for a detailed ultrasound, which requires time and assessment from specific professionals.
For instance, doing a bone ultrasound does not cost the same as an eye ultrasound; the former is cheaper than the latter.
Healthcare providers
On top of the location, you will have to look for the facility that offers the ultrasound you are looking for. All hospitals and healthcare centers should have most of the ultrasound procedures, but if not, then you will have to look somewhere else.
There is more than just paying for the scan. Such things as the visits or any extra tests needed are included in the bill, so it is better to look into all the places near your location.
Type of ultrasound
Even though the ultrasound results will be “just an image,” you can get it in different presentations, such as black and white, full color, 2D, 3D, or 4D. The last two are normally used for pregnancy, and the latter is the most expensive.
You may think these parameters do not change the result, but they help the doctor to analyze your situation, and you will understand even more.
The estimated cost of ultrasound in different parts of the body
The cost can vary depending on the required procedure and the difficulty it brings to the table. New Choice Health provides the following list of prices depending on the body area:
- Fetal: $290 – $4,000
- Abdominal: $260 – $1,950
- Chest: $290 – $2,400
- Eye: $370 – $3,000
- Breast: $160 – $2,250
- Head and neck: $160 – $1,600
- Pelvic: $220 – $3,200
- Bone: $70 – $900
- Spinal: $410 – $600
- Pregnancy: $270 – $2,400
- Uterus: $220 – $4,100
- Hip (infant): $320 – $1,350
If you want to read more about each of them specifically or even prices according to US states, click here.
Keep in mind that these ultrasounds prices are estimated and do not consider insurance. If you have a policy, you need to talk with your provider and ask how much they will cover. They might pay a part of the bill or, if you are lucky, you can get full coverage.
Recommendations if you do not have insurance to pay for the ultrasound
Ultrasound prices can be intimidating if you do not have insurance, so if you cannot afford to get one, then here are some tips that you should know:
Do not stop asking in different places. You might think that is tiresome, but if you want to save money, then ask at other facilities.
Negotiate for a lower price. You do not have anything to lose by asking for a reduction in the cost of the procedure. So try and see if you get any luck with it.
If it is not an emergency, search for the procedure online. Once you find the facility that performs it, you can call to get more information and even book a visit.
Try to avoid hospitals. Small clinics can offer you ultrasound procedures at a lower cost if you do not have insurance. However, if you need an extra scan that can only be done in a hospital, you will have to look for one.