How Much Does a Pregnancy Ultrasound Cost?

Preparing logistically and financially for your ultrasound appointment

For expecting parents, having an ultrasound during a pregnancy is an important diagnostic tool that can provide vital information about the health of your unborn baby. But while ultrasounds can be very helpful in providing insight into the condition of your baby, they can also come with a hefty price tag. Learn how much an ultrasound costs for a pregnancy and plan accordingly.

Determine what services you need beforehand

Many different types of ultrasounds are available. If you’re looking to reduce the cost of a pregnancy ultrasound, it can be helpful to know what type of scan you need beforehand and determine if there are any discounts or deals at your local clinic or hospital. Depending on which kind of ultrasound you need, they generally range between $200 - $600 in terms of price.

A prenatal ultrasound, also called a sonogram, is how you and your healthcare provider can get a look at your growing baby while you’re pregnant. The ultrasound wand uses harmless sound waves to create an image of the fetus and placenta, which you’ll be able to see on a computer screen. Many people have two ultrasounds during pregnancy, but that number could be higher or lower depending on your provider’s recommendations.

You’ll typically have your first prenatal ultrasound during your first trimester. The top goals of that visit are to confirm your pregnancy (also referred to as “confirming viability”), check the number of fetuses, and estimate how many weeks along you are. The second ultrasound is usually done around gestational week 20. During this appointment, your provider will monitor the baby’s growth and development, as well as check on the placenta and amniotic fluid. This is also when many parents find out the sex of their baby.

Though it’s not the main point of the visit, your ultrasound appointments will give you the very first pictures of your new baby!

What is the cost of a prenatal ultrasound? 

The cost of a fetal ultrasound is different for everyone, but most range between $200 and $600. However, the price can vary widely, from around $100 to $1,000. Your out-of-pocket cost for your ultrasound will depend on a few different things, including:

• Where you get your ultrasound (both the specific facility – is it inside a hospital, at a hospital’s off-site location, or a standalone clinic? – as well as the city and state)
• Whether you have health insurance
• How much of the ultrasound is covered by your insurance – something that may be impacted by where you get your ultrasound, since certain hospitals or medical systems may be in-network with your health insurance 

You can get a better idea of your ultrasound cost by calling your health insurance provider before your appointment. Before you call, be ready to provide the name and address of the ultrasound clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital. The medical staff at the ultrasound provider can provide you with the specific type of ultrasound you’re having – whether that’s a viability sonogram, a nuchal translucency sonogram, anatomy sonogram, growth sonogram, cervical check, or other study – as well as the procedure code (also called CPT code) and ICD10-diagnosis code(s) associated with your appointment. When you call your insurance, ask them how much — if any — of your fetal ultrasounds are covered by your plan, and if the site of your ultrasound appointment is in or out of network for your plan.

If you don’t have health insurance, you can still call the place you’re getting your ultrasound and ask for an estimated cost for the procedure for uninsured or “self-pay” patients. (Also, it never hurts to ask if they offer cash pay discounts or payment plans for patients who are uninsured or still in the process of obtaining health insurance!)

If you’re uninsured and pregnant or trying to conceive, check if you qualify for free or low-cost health coverage from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Are ultrasounds during pregnancy covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans should cover some or all of the ultrasounds you need during pregnancy. One exception may be if you’re registered as a “dependent” on your parents’ health insurance. Some insurance plans may not cover prenatal or maternity care for dependents who are not the spouse of the insured individual.

The best way to know what’s covered is to call your insurance benefits coordinator and ask about your prenatal and maternity coverage. You’ll also need to know your deductible and copayment amounts to figure out your full payment responsibility for each ultrasound.

Ultrasounds can feel like a magical part of any pregnancy. They are, after all, your only chance to physically see your baby while they’re still growing inside you! By talking to your ultrasound provider and insurance company before any procedure, you can lower your chances of getting surprise bills after your ultrasound appointments.

If you’re still waiting on your anatomy ultrasound — or if you left your OB/GYN or ultrasound appointment still wondering about your baby’s sex — check out our Juno Birch™ Fetal Gender Test. Our at-home finger prick test can give you a fast, accurate answer to the big question: Are you having a boy or a girl?

Learn more about our at-home Juno Birch™ Fetal Gender Test, and subscribe to the Juno newsletter to receive pregnancy tips, special offers, updates from our community, and more!

JunoDx.com and the materials and information it contains are not intended to be and do not constitute medical advice, other health advice, or diagnosis.  Do not use JunoDx.com or the materials and information published at JunoDx.com as a substitute for medical care and treatment. You should always consult with a qualified physician or healthcare provider about your specific circumstances.