Ultrasound Cost and Ultrasound Procedures Information

An Ultrasound, often called Sonography, is used to detect changes in appearance and function of organs, tissues, or abnormal masses, such as tumors as well as used to view blood flow through blood vessels. In an ultrasound examination, a transducer both sends the sound waves and records the echoing waves. When the transducer is pressed against the skin, it directs a stream of inaudible, high-frequency sound waves into the body. As the sound waves bounce off of internal organs, fluids and tissues, the sensitive microphone in the transducer records tiny changes in the sound's pitch and direction. These signature waves are instantly measured and displayed by a computer, which in turn creates a real-time picture on the monitor. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (x-ray)

Ultrasound Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Miami, FL Ultrasound Cost Average $130 - $330
Los Angeles, CA Ultrasound Cost Average $150 - $390
Atlanta, GA Ultrasound Cost Average $130 - $330
Chicago, IL Ultrasound Cost Average $140 - $350
Dallas, TX Ultrasound Cost Average $120 - $300
Houston, TX Ultrasound Cost Average $130 - $320
New York, NY Ultrasound Cost Average $140 - $370
Philadelphia, PA Ultrasound Cost Average $140 - $360
Phoenix, AZ Ultrasound Cost Average $120 - $310
Washington, DC Ultrasound Cost Average $130 - $330

Specific Ultrasound Procedures and National Cost Averages

Price Range
Fetal Biophysical Profile Cost Average $130 - $320
Head and Neck Ultrasound Cost Average $80 - $210
Eye Exam (Ultrasound Echography) Cost Average $300 - $775
Chest Ultrasound Cost Average $140 - $360
Breast Ultrasound Cost Average $110 - $270
Abdominal Ultrasound Cost Average $120 - $290
Pelvic Ultrasound Cost Average $160 - $400
Hip Ultrasound (Infant) Cost Average $100 - $260
Extremity Ultrasound (Nonvascular) Cost Average $110 - $280
Head Ultrasound (echo exam) Cost Average $110 - $270
Eye Ultrasound Cost Average $420 - $1,100
Spinal Ultrasound Cost Average $130 - $340
Pregnant Ultrasound Cost Average $170 - $420
Ultrasound of Fetus Cost Average $120 - $310
Ultrasound of the Uterus Cost Average $220 - $550
Bone Ultrasound Cost Average $70 - $190
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Featured Facilities that Perform Ultrasound

Name Location Price Range
Boulder Radiologists Boulder , CO $30 - $370
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Honolulu , HI $40 - $410
Twin Lakes Imaging Center Daytona Beach , FL $30 - $370
Berkshire Medical Center Pittsfield , MA $110 - $700
Wide Open Imaging Berlin , MD $30 - $370
Page Hospital Page , AZ $170 - $1,500
Accusite Johnson City , NY $30 - $350
Open MRI of Monroe Monroe , LA $30 - $340
Medical Park Hospital Hope , AR $240 - $1,150
Marion Regional Imaging Marion , OH $30 - $360
Chowchilla District Memorial Hospital Chowchilla , CA $370 - $2,400
Wallace Thomson Hospital Union , SC $180 - $575
Poudre Valley Open MRI Fort Collins , CO $30 - $370
Scotland Imaging Center Laurinburg , NC $30 - $350
Mission Open MRI Center Mission , TX $30 - $340
Selma Open MRI Selma , AL $30 - $330
Arango Imaging Center (South Mesa El Paso , TX $30 - $340
Smith Radiology New Cumberland , PA $30 - $350
Taylor Regional Hospital Campbellsville , KY $190 - $750
Beaches MRI Stuart , FL $40 - $390
River Radiology Kingston , NY $30 - $400
Cheshire Medical Center Keene , NH $200 - $725
Medical Imaging Consultants Omaha , NE $30 - $330
Advanced MRI Lake Charles , LA $30 - $340
NWA Med Imaging Fayetteville , AR $30 - $320
Great Basin Imaging Carson City , NV $30 - $390
Elite MRI of Laurens Dublin , GA $30 - $340
Centura St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City Garden City , KS $260 - $700
Ogh Imaging Grand Coteau , LA $30 - $340
Crisp Regional Hospital Cordele , GA $170 - $600

More about Ultrasound Procedures

Ultrasound Patient Preparation

Guidelines about eating and drinking before an Ultrasound exam vary at different facilities. Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your regular daily routine and take medications as usual. Let your doctor or technician know if you are allergic to latex or anything else prior to the test. Wear comfortable clothing and possibly even older clothing because of the gel which may be applied to your skin and may get on your cloths. For a transabdominal Ultrasound, you will be asked to drink several glasses of water or other liquid one to two hours before the procedure. Do not empty your bladder until the procedure is over. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, you should empty your bladder right before the procedure.

What to expect during and after an Ultrasound Procedure

An Ultrasound is a relatively painless procedure. The only discomfort may come from the cool gel which is applied to the area being scanned. Most Ultrasound procedures can be performed in your physician’s office or a stand alone imaging center, on an outpatient basis, or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and the facilities particular practices. The overall preparation and test will take approximately 30 minutes not including waiting time.

Prior to starting the procedure, you will be asked to remove any clothing or jewelry or other objects which may interfere with the scan. If you are required to remove all your clothing you will be given a hospital gown to wear. Once ready to start the Ultrasound, for a transabdominal Ultrasound the technician will get you to lie down on your back on the examination table and expose the area being studied. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, the technician will ask you to lie down on your back with your feet and legs supported as for a pelvic examination. For a breast Ultrasound, the technician will ask you to lie flat on your back with your arms held over your head. The technician will then apply a gel like substance to the area being studied. For a transabdominal and breast Ultrasound, the transducer will be pressed against the skin and moved around over the area being studied. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, a long thin transducer will be inserted into the vagina and gently turned and angled towards the area being studied. If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound when the Doppler probe is used. Images of structures will be displayed on the computer screen. Images will be recorded on various media for the healthcare record.

Once the procedure has been completed, the gel will be removed. Your Ultrasound results will be interpreted by a trained doctor or technician and then discussed with you immediately following the procedure.

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