Abdominal Ultrasound Cost: With & Without Insurance

Q: How much does an abdominal ultrasound cost without insurance?

Imaging center: $150–$600 (avg $400). Hospital: $400–$2,000+. MDsave prepaid: $116–$495. Ask for the self-pay rate — 30–60% off standard.

Q: Does insurance cover an abdominal ultrasound?

Yes when medically necessary. Copay $10–$50 if deductible met. Negotiated rate $150–$400 if not. Verify imaging center and radiologist are both in-network.

Imaging center $150–$600 · Hospital $400–$2,000 · Insurance copay $0–$50 · What it examines + how to pay less

$150–$600Imaging center (self-pay)

$400–$2,000Hospital (self-pay)

$0–$50With insurance (copay)

From $116MDsave prepaid

ℹ️ Informational only. Prices are estimates based on publicly available data and vary by provider, location, and insurance plan. Contact your facility and insurer for exact costs. This is not medical advice.

⚡ Quick Answer

An abdominal ultrasound costs $150–$600 at a standalone imaging center without insurance, averaging around $400. At hospitals, the same scan runs $400–$2,000+. With health insurance and a met deductible, most patients pay a $0–$50 copay. Best way to save: choose an independent imaging center and ask specifically for the self-pay rate — most offer 30–60% off for cash patients.

Cost by Facility Type

Facility	Without Insurance	With Insurance	Notes
Independent imaging center	$150–$600	$0–$50 copay	Best value. Same diagnostic quality as hospital. Requires physician order.
Outpatient hospital radiology	$400–$1,000	$30–$100 copay	Convenient if already at the hospital but more expensive.
Hospital / ER	$600–$2,000+	$100–$300+	Highest cost. ER facility fees add substantially. Avoid for elective imaging.
MDsave prepaid	$116–$495 locked	N/A	Prepay at a participating facility. Rate is guaranteed before your appointment.

With Insurance vs. Without Insurance

✅ With Insurance

Covered when medically necessary and ordered by your doctor. If deductible is met: $10–$50 copay. If deductible hasn't been reached: you pay the negotiated rate ($150–$400) until you hit your deductible. Always verify the imaging center and the radiologist are in-network — radiologist bills are billed separately and out-of-network radiologist charges are a common source of surprise bills.

🔵 Without Insurance

You pay the full cash price. Call ahead and ask for the self-pay rate — say: "I'm paying cash. What's your self-pay price for a complete abdominal ultrasound, CPT 76700?" Most centers offer 30–60% off the standard chargemaster rate for cash patients. Platforms like MDsave let you prepay for locked-in rates starting from $116.

What a Complete Abdominal Ultrasound Examines

A complete abdominal ultrasound (CPT 76700) covers multiple abdominal organs in one scan. A limited scan (CPT 76705) focuses on one specific organ and costs less — confirm with your doctor which one was ordered.

Liver — size, fatty liver, cirrhosis, masses
Gallbladder — gallstones, wall thickening, polyps
Pancreas — pancreatitis, masses
Kidneys — stones, cysts, hydronephrosis
Spleen — enlargement, masses
Abdominal aorta — aneurysm screening
Bile ducts — dilation, obstruction

Preparation: Most abdominal ultrasounds require fasting 8–12 hours beforehand. Not fasting properly can result in rescheduling — which wastes your time and may incur a rebooking fee. Follow your provider's prep instructions exactly.

How to Pay Less

Choose an independent imaging center. The same scan can cost 3–5× more at a hospital. Independent centers use identical equipment and radiologists at a fraction of the overhead cost.
Ask for the self-pay rate. Call ahead and say: "I'm paying cash. What is your self-pay rate for a complete abdominal ultrasound, CPT 76700?" Most centers will offer 30–60% off.
Use MDsave or Sesame. Prepay for locked-in rates at participating facilities. Prices start around $116 for a standard abdominal ultrasound.
Check FQHCs. Federally Qualified Health Centers offer sliding-scale pricing. Some offer imaging at very low or no cost based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

💡 The hidden cost: separate radiologist billing. Your ultrasound bill often has two parts — the facility/tech fee and a radiologist interpretation fee, sometimes billed by a separate provider. If that radiologist is out-of-network, you can receive a surprise bill even if the imaging center was in-network. Before scheduling, ask: "Is the radiologist who interprets my scan in-network with my plan?"

Find Affordable Abdominal Ultrasound Near You

MDsave — Prepaid Ultrasound Packages

All 50 states · $116–$495 locked rates

Search "abdominal ultrasound" at participating imaging centers. Prepay at a locked rate that includes both facility and interpretation fees. Best for uninsured or high-deductible patients — no surprise bills.

Best Price

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Sesame — Transparent Cash-Pay Imaging

Major markets · Flat-rate, no surprises

Book abdominal ultrasounds at flat cash-pay rates — typically 40–60% below hospital chargemaster prices. Good for urban markets. All-inclusive pricing with no separate radiology billing.

Transparent

See Prices →

Find Ultrasound Options Near You

Compare imaging centers, cash-pay rates, and same-week availability.

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Need ultrasound pricing with insurance?

See our Ultrasound Cost With Insurance → for copay breakdowns, deductible scenarios, and how to verify in-network status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an abdominal ultrasound cost without insurance?

At an independent imaging center: $150–$600, averaging $400. At a hospital: $400–$2,000+. Prepaid via MDsave: $116–$495. Always ask for the self-pay rate — most facilities offer 30–60% off for cash patients who pay at time of service.

Does insurance cover an abdominal ultrasound?

Yes — when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. If your deductible is met: $10–$50 copay. If your deductible hasn't been reached: you pay the negotiated rate ($150–$400). Always verify both the imaging center and the radiologist are in-network to avoid surprise bills.