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Cost of abdominal ultrasound by state

The following estimated costs are based on cash prices that providers have historically charged on average for abdominal ultrasound and will vary depending on where the service is done. The prices do not include the anesthesia, imaging, and other doctor visit fees that normally accompany abdominal ultrasound.

StateName Average Cash Price
Alabama $240
Alaska $325
Arizona $272
Arkansas $238
California $298
Colorado $262
Connecticut $287
Delaware $279
District of Columbia $277
Florida $264
Georgia $247
Hawaii $250
Idaho $243
Illinois $276
Indiana $251
Iowa $228
Kansas $237
Kentucky $242
Louisiana $269
Maine $243
Maryland $286
Massachusetts $294
Michigan $271
Minnesota $305
Mississippi $244
Missouri $241
Montana $251
Nebraska $245
Nevada $259
New Hampshire $260
New Jersey $315
New Mexico $239
New York $296
North Carolina $238
North Dakota $264
Ohio $247
Oklahoma $265
Oregon $270
Pennsylvania $279
Rhode Island $297
South Carolina $253
South Dakota $236
Tennessee $238
Texas $257
Utah $268
Vermont $263
Virginia $256
Washington $286
West Virginia $256
Wisconsin $271
Wyoming $263

What is an abdominal ultrasound?

An abdominal ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the organs and structures inside the abdominal area. An abdominal ultrasound may be done to screen for conditions or to diagnose problems.

Why do you have to fast for an abdominal ultrasound?

You’ll be asked to fast for at least eight to 12 hours before an abdominal ultrasound. The reason is that food or liquid in your stomach can cause the ultrasound pictures to be unclear.

Can you drink water before an abdominal ultrasound?

Your healthcare provider will let you know if it's okay to drink water before your test. It will depend on the structures that are being looked at with the ultrasound. For an ultrasound of the kidneys, you may be asked to drink several glasses of water about an hour before the test, but for other structures, you’ll be told not to drink anything.

What diseases can an abdominal ultrasound detect?

An abdominal ultrasound can detect several problems. These include:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Kidney stones
  • Liver disease
  • Abdominal tumors
  • Gallstones

The specific structures that can be evaluated with abdominal ultrasound include:

  • Abdominal blood vessels
  • Gallbladder
  • Intestines
  • Kidneys
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen

Can abdominal ultrasound detect bowel problems?

Abdominal ultrasound can detect some bowel problems. However, it is not the preferred test for the evaluation of bowel disease. If your healthcare provider suspects you have a bowel problem, they may order additional testing.

What does not show up on an ultrasound?

Because ultrasound waves are disrupted by air or gas, it is not the best test for looking at organs filled with air, like the lungs. However, ultrasound can see the fluid build up in or around the lungs. Air-filled bowel or organs behind the bowel may not show up well on an ultrasound. Ultrasound is not able to penetrate bones but can diagnose fractures or infections around a bone.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.