Ultrasound Cost in Houston, TX

An ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal body structures. The two main types covered in Houston hospital pricing data are abdominal ultrasound (HCPCS code 76700) and pelvic ultrasound (HCPCS code 76856). During the procedure, a technologist applies gel to the skin and moves a handheld transducer across the area being examined. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off internal organs and tissues, creating images displayed on a monitor. The facility fee covers the use of the ultrasound equipment, examination room, technologist time, and administrative services. These prices come from federally mandated hospital price transparency files that hospitals must publish under CMS requirements.

Data last updated: 2026-02-28

Scope note: These are hospital facility fees only. Standalone imaging centers (not hospitals) often charge significantly less for outpatient imaging but are not covered by the CMS Hospital Price Transparency Rule, so they are not included in this data. We currently track only hospital-published prices.

Abdominal Ultrasound, Complete (HCPCS 76700)

Hospital	Gross Charge	Cash Price	Low Insured	High Insured
Baylor St Luke's Medical	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
Harris Health	$1,030	$102.04	N/A	N/A	Schedule →
HCA Clear Lake *	$9,150.55	$9,150.55 *	$3,202.69	$3,202.69	Schedule →
HCA Conroe *	$7,529.02	$7,529.02 *	$300	$6,926.7	Schedule →
HCA Kingwood *	$6,311.79	$6,311.79 *	$2,209.13	$2,209.13	Schedule →
HCA Mainland *	$9,150.55	$9,150.55 *	$300	$8,235.49	Schedule →
HCA Medical Center *	$5,487.71	$5,487.71 *	$329.26	$2,924.95	Schedule →
HCA North Cypress *	$6,311.79	$6,311.79 *	$378.71	$3,364.18	Schedule →
HCA Northwest *	$6,433.85	$6,433.85 *	$386.03	$3,429.24	Schedule →
HCA Pearland *	$6,954.09	$6,954.09 *	$417.25	$3,706.53	Schedule →
HCA Southeast *	$3,588.08	$3,588.08 *	$215.28	$3,229.27	Schedule →
HCA Tomball *	$6,235.2	$6,235.2 *	$374.11	$2,805.84	Schedule →
HCA West *	$4,578	$4,578 *	$274.68	$4,120.2	Schedule →
Houston Methodist	$1,979	$989.5	$105.02	$707.1	Schedule →
MH Cypress	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Greater Heights	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Katy	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Memorial City	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Northeast	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Pearland	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Southeast	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Southwest	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Sugar Land	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
Memorial Hermann TMC	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Woodlands	$3,680	$1,177.6	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
St Luke's Brazosport	$4,713	$1,649.55	$106.51	$2,356.5	Schedule →
St Luke's Lakeside	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
St Luke's Patients Medica	$4,485.07	$1,569.78	$99.51	$3,363.81	Schedule →
St Luke's Springwoods Vil	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
St Luke's Sugar Land	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
St Luke's The Vintage	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
St Luke's The Woodlands	$5,178	$1,812.3	$76.69	$5,178	Schedule →
Texas Children's	$1,413	$946.71	$104.75	$1,344.25	Schedule →

* Hospitals marked with * publish cash prices equal to their gross charges, meaning no separate self-pay discount appears in their transparency file. The insured rates shown are negotiated rates between the hospital and specific insurance plans. Uninsured patients may be able to negotiate lower rates by contacting the hospital directly.

Pelvic Ultrasound, Complete (HCPCS 76856)

Hospital	Gross Charge	Cash Price	Low Insured	High Insured
Baylor St Luke's Medical	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
Harris Health	$901	$102.04	N/A	N/A	Schedule →
HCA Clear Lake *	$6,350.87	$6,350.87 *	$2,222.8	$2,222.8	Schedule →
HCA Conroe *	$5,845.45	$5,845.45 *	$300	$5,377.81	Schedule →
HCA Kingwood *	$5,512.47	$5,512.47 *	$1,929.36	$1,929.36	Schedule →
HCA Mainland *	$6,350.87	$6,350.87 *	$300	$5,715.78	Schedule →
HCA Medical Center *	$4,793.13	$4,793.13 *	$287.59	$2,554.74	Schedule →
HCA North Cypress *	$5,512.47	$5,512.47 *	$330.75	$2,938.15	Schedule →
HCA Northwest *	$5,618.99	$5,618.99 *	$337.14	$2,994.92	Schedule →
HCA Pearland *	$4,825.98	$4,825.98 *	$289.56	$2,572.25	Schedule →
HCA Southeast *	$3,192.21	$3,192.21 *	$191.53	$2,872.99	Schedule →
HCA Tomball *	$5,444.87	$5,444.87 *	$326.69	$2,450.19	Schedule →
HCA West *	$4,198	$4,198 *	$251.88	$3,778.2	Schedule →
Houston Methodist	$1,992	$996	$105.02	$549.05	Schedule →
MH Cypress	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Greater Heights	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Katy	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Memorial City	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Northeast	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Pearland	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Southeast	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Southwest	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Sugar Land	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
Memorial Hermann TMC	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
MH Woodlands	$3,153.25	$1,009.04	$105.02	$199.54	Schedule →
St Luke's Brazosport	$3,127	$1,094.45	$96.28	$1,563.5	Schedule →
St Luke's Lakeside	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
St Luke's Patients Medica	$2,975.5	$1,041.43	$91.47	$2,231.63	Schedule →
St Luke's Springwoods Vil	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
St Luke's Sugar Land	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
St Luke's The Vintage	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
St Luke's The Woodlands	$2,828	$989.8	$76.69	$2,828	Schedule →
Texas Children's	$1,515	$1,015.05	$96.28	$1,439.25	Schedule →

What These Prices Mean

**Understanding the price columns:** Gross charges represent the hospital's standard list prices before any discounts. Cash prices show what uninsured patients pay upfront. At Houston Methodist, the abdominal ultrasound has a gross charge of $1,979 but a cash price of $989.50, representing a 50% discount. However, HCA Clear Lake's $9,150.55 cash price equals their full gross charge with no discount offered. The insured range shows negotiated rates with different insurance plans, spanning from as low as $76.69 to as high as $5,715.78 depending on the insurer and plan type. Patients on high-deductible plans who have not met their deductible pay these negotiated rates, not the gross charge. **Code variations:** Pelvic ultrasound (76856) generally costs less than abdominal ultrasound (76700) at most facilities. At Memorial Hermann locations, pelvic ultrasound costs $1,009.04 cash while abdominal costs $1,177.60 cash, a difference of $168.56. At St. Luke's facilities, the gap is larger: $989.80 for pelvic versus $1,812.30 for abdominal, a $822.50 difference.

Why Ultrasound Prices Vary

**Hospital pricing structures:** Gross charges vary dramatically, from Houston Methodist's $1,979 for abdominal ultrasound to HCA Clear Lake's $9,150.55, nearly a five-fold difference. However, cash prices show a smaller gap, ranging from $989.50 to $9,150.55. This narrowing occurs because different hospital systems offer varying discount structures. Houston Methodist and Memorial Hermann systems provide 50% and 32% cash discounts respectively, while HCA facilities offer no cash discount, charging their full gross rate. St. Luke's facilities provide 35% discounts across their network. **Facility type and alternatives:** Academic medical centers and major hospital systems typically have higher gross charges but may offer steeper cash discounts. Community hospitals within the same network often maintain identical pricing structures. Outpatient imaging centers and freestanding facilities not included in this hospital data may offer different pricing models. The actual cash price range spans from $989.50 to $9,150.55, representing significant variation even within the same metropolitan area.

Paying cash? Health insurance could lower your Ultrasound cost.

Published cash prices on this page range from $102.04 to $1,812.3. Insurers on this page have negotiated rates starting from $94.35, many times lower than cash prices at the same hospitals. If you are uninsured, a marketplace health plan could reduce your out-of-pocket cost for this procedure.

Compare Health Insurance Plans → Get Free Plan Estimate →

Links go to Healthcare.gov, the official federal health insurance marketplace. We are not affiliated with Healthcare.gov or any insurance provider. This is not a recommendation for any specific plan.

What Insurers Actually Pay

Published negotiated rates for Pelvic Ultrasound, Complete (HCPCS 76856) at HCA Kingwood, outpatient facility fee:

Pelvic Ultrasound, Complete (76856), HCA Kingwood Payer Rates

Insurance Payer	Plan Type	Negotiated Rate
Texas Health Network	MCD	$94.35
Amerigroup	MCDCHIPBH	$96.28
Amerigroup	MGMCD	$96.28
Community Health Choice MCD	CHIP	$96.28
Community Health Choice MCD	CHIPPerinatal	$96.28
Community Health Choice MCD	STAR	$96.28
Community Health Choice MCD	STAR+PLUS	$96.28
Texas Childrens Health Plans	STAR	$96.28
Texas Childrens Health Plans	STARKIDS	$96.28
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
United	MGMCD	$98.21
Aetna Better Health	MGMCD	$103.98
Molina Healthcare	CHIP	$105.91
Molina Healthcare	STAR	$105.91
Molina Healthcare	STARKIDS	$105.91
Molina Healthcare	STARPLUS	$105.91
Humana	MCD	$120.35
BCBS	MyBlueHealth	$197.26
United	NarrowNetworkIndivExchange	$207.04
Healthcare Highways	NarrowNetwork	$213
United	AllPayerAppendix	$245.18
United	SmallGroup	$245.18
BCBS	BAV	$249.94
Texas Athletic Network	Premier	$300
Texas Athletic Network	Premier	$300
Texas Athletic Network	Premier	$300
Texas Athletic Network	Premier	$300
Texas Athletic Network	Premier	$300
Superior Health Plan	CHIP	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHPFC	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STAR	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARKids	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARPLUS	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHIP	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHPFC	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STAR	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARKids	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARPLUS	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHIP	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHPFC	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STAR	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARKids	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARPLUS	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHIP	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHPFC	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STAR	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARKids	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	STARPLUS	$330.75
Superior Health Plan	CHIP	$363.12
Superior Health Plan	CHPFC	$363.12
Superior Health Plan	STAR	$363.12
Superior Health Plan	STARKids	$363.12
Superior Health Plan	STARPLUS	$363.12
BCBS	HMO	$381.07
BCBS	EPOSOA	$395.64
Aetna	MCR	$401.25
BCBS	PPO	$409.09
Aetna	QHPExchange	$439.95
Texas Athletic Network	PremierPlus	$500
Texas Athletic Network	PremierPlus	$500
Texas Athletic Network	PremierPlus	$500
Texas Athletic Network	PremierPlus	$500
Texas Athletic Network	PremierPlus	$500
Aetna	NBHMO	$584.74
Aetna	NBPOS	$584.74
Aetna	NBPPO	$584.74
Texas Athletic Network	TexasCustomUC	$600
Texas Athletic Network	TexasCustomUC	$600
Texas Athletic Network	TexasCustomUC	$600
Texas Athletic Network	TexasCustomUC	$600
Texas Athletic Network	TexasCustomUC	$600
Aetna	COMMHMO	$622.02
Aetna	COMMPOS	$622.02
Aetna	COMMPPO	$622.02
Aetna	OONHMO	$731.39
Aetna	OONPOS	$731.39
Aetna	OONPPO	$731.39
Community Health Choice MCD	CHIP	$786.76
Community Health Choice MCD	CHIPPerinatal	$786.76
Community Health Choice MCD	STAR	$786.76
Community Health Choice MCD	STAR+PLUS	$786.76
Aetna	ASAHMO	$790.42
Aetna	ASAPOS	$790.42
Aetna	ASAPPO	$790.42
Amerigroup	MCDCHIPBH	$847.28
Amerigroup	MGMCD	$847.28
Cigna	CSN	$895.7
Texas Childrens Health Plans	CHIP	$915.07
Texas Childrens Health Plans	CHIP	$915.07
Texas Childrens Health Plans	CHIP	$915.07
Texas Childrens Health Plans	CHIP	$915.07
United	OptionsPPO	$926.09
United	OptionsPPO	$926.09
United	OptionsPPO	$926.09
United	OptionsPPO	$926.09
Cigna	OpenAccessPlus	$968.32
BCBS	MyBlueHealth	$986.48
Texas Childrens Health Plans	CHIP	$1,004.63
United	OptionsPPO	$1,016.74
BCBS	BAV	$1,089.36
Cigna	PPO	$1,149.88
Oscar	HIX	$1,180.14
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
Humana	HMO	$1,340.99
Humana	PPO	$1,340.99
BCBS	HMO	$1,361.7
BCBS	EPOSOA	$1,391.96
BCBS	PPO	$1,416.17
Texas Childrens Health Plans	STAR	$1,434.32
Texas Childrens Health Plans	STARKIDS	$1,434.32
Evry Health	BroadNetwork	$1,504.9
Evry Health	BroadNetwork	$1,504.9
Evry Health	BroadNetwork	$1,504.9
Evry Health	BroadNetwork	$1,504.9
Healthcare Highways	NarrowNetwork	$1,543.26
Aetna	QHPExchange	$1,603.78
Molina Healthcare	HIX	$1,634.04
Evry Health	BroadNetwork	$1,652.2
Humana	HMO	$1,759.03
Humana	PPO	$1,759.03
Humana	HMO	$1,759.03
Humana	PPO	$1,759.03
Humana	HMO	$1,759.03
Humana	PPO	$1,759.03
Humana	HMO	$1,759.03
Humana	PPO	$1,759.03
CHC Harris Health	Indigent	$1,815.6
Kelsey Care (Boon-Chapman)	COMM	$1,929.36
BCBS	Traditional	$1,929.36
Imagine Health	PPO	$1,929.36
Kelsey Care (Boon-Chapman)	COMM	$1,929.36
BCBS	Traditional	$1,929.36
Imagine Health	PPO	$1,929.36
BCBS	Traditional	$1,929.36
Imagine Health	PPO	$1,929.36
Kelsey Care (Boon-Chapman)	COMM	$1,929.36
BCBS	Traditional	$1,929.36
Imagine Health	PPO	$1,929.36
Kelsey Care (Boon-Chapman)	COMM	$1,929.36
Humana	HMO	$1,931.19
Humana	PPO	$1,931.19
Aetna	NBHMO	$1,942.69
Aetna	NBPOS	$1,942.69
Aetna	NBPPO	$1,942.69
Aetna	COMMHMO	$2,069.78
Aetna	COMMPOS	$2,069.78
Aetna	COMMPPO	$2,069.78
Kelsey Care (Boon-Chapman)	COMM	$2,118.2
BCBS	Traditional	$2,118.2
Imagine Health	PPO	$2,118.2
Christus (USFHP)	TRICARE	$2,204.99
Curative Administrators	COMM	$2,204.99
Christus (USFHP)	TRICARE	$2,204.99
Curative Administrators	COMM	$2,204.99
Christus (USFHP)	TRICARE	$2,204.99
Curative Administrators	COMM	$2,204.99
Christus (USFHP)	TRICARE	$2,204.99
Curative Administrators	COMM	$2,204.99
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCEL	$2,370.36
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCEL	$2,370.36
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCEL	$2,370.36
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCEL	$2,370.36
Christus (USFHP)	TRICARE	$2,420.8
Curative Administrators	COMM	$2,420.8
Aetna	OONHMO	$2,426.85
Aetna	OONPOS	$2,426.85
Aetna	OONPPO	$2,426.85
Averde Health	Commercial	$2,480.61
Fidelis SecureCare of TX	MGMCR	$2,480.61
United	GlobalAppendix	$2,480.61
Averde Health	Commercial	$2,480.61
Fidelis SecureCare of TX	MGMCR	$2,480.61
United	GlobalAppendix	$2,480.61
Averde Health	Commercial	$2,480.61
Fidelis SecureCare of TX	MGMCR	$2,480.61
United	GlobalAppendix	$2,480.61
Averde Health	Commercial	$2,480.61
Fidelis SecureCare of TX	MGMCR	$2,480.61
United	GlobalAppendix	$2,480.61
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCEL	$2,602.36
Aetna	ASAHMO	$2,620.52
Aetna	ASAPOS	$2,620.52
Aetna	ASAPPO	$2,620.52
Averde Health	Commercial	$2,723.4
Fidelis SecureCare of TX	MGMCR	$2,723.4
United	GlobalAppendix	$2,723.4
Multiplan	SAVILITYNETWORK	$2,756.24
Multiplan	SAVILITYNETWORK	$2,756.24
Multiplan	SAVILITYNETWORK	$2,756.24
Multiplan	SAVILITYNETWORK	$2,756.24
Coventry National First Health	COMM	$2,938.15
Coventry National First Health	COMM	$2,938.15
Coventry National First Health	COMM	$2,938.15
Coventry National First Health	COMM	$2,938.15
Multiplan	SAVILITYNETWORK	$3,026
Physicians Cooperative of Texas	WC	$3,031.86
Rockport Workers Comp	COMM	$3,031.86
Physicians Cooperative of Texas	WC	$3,031.86
Rockport Workers Comp	COMM	$3,031.86
Physicians Cooperative of Texas	WC	$3,031.86
Rockport Workers Comp	COMM	$3,031.86
Physicians Cooperative of Texas	WC	$3,031.86
Rockport Workers Comp	COMM	$3,031.86
Coventry National First Health	COMM	$3,225.72
Beech Street	WCOMP	$3,307.48
Independent Medical System	COMM	$3,307.48
National Healthcare Solutions	COMM	$3,307.48
SouthWest Medical	WORKERSCOMP	$3,307.48
Beech Street	WCOMP	$3,307.48
Independent Medical System	COMM	$3,307.48
National Healthcare Solutions	COMM	$3,307.48
SouthWest Medical	WORKERSCOMP	$3,307.48
Beech Street	WCOMP	$3,307.48
Independent Medical System	COMM	$3,307.48
National Healthcare Solutions	COMM	$3,307.48
SouthWest Medical	WORKERSCOMP	$3,307.48
Beech Street	WCOMP	$3,307.48
Independent Medical System	COMM	$3,307.48
National Healthcare Solutions	COMM	$3,307.48
SouthWest Medical	WORKERSCOMP	$3,307.48
Physicians Cooperative of Texas	WC	$3,328.6
Rockport Workers Comp	COMM	$3,328.6
Coastal Comp	COMM	$3,583.11
Coastal Comp	COMM	$3,583.11
Coastal Comp	COMM	$3,583.11
Coastal Comp	COMM	$3,583.11
Beech Street	WCOMP	$3,631.2
Independent Medical System	COMM	$3,631.2
National Healthcare Solutions	COMM	$3,631.2
SouthWest Medical	WORKERSCOMP	$3,631.2
Coastal Comp	COMM	$3,933.8
Beech Street	COMMPPO	$4,409.98
Beech Street	COMMPPO	$4,409.98
Beech Street	COMMPPO	$4,409.98
Beech Street	COMMPPO	$4,409.98
HealthSmart Preferred Care	PPO	$4,520.23
HealthSmart Preferred Care	PPO	$4,520.23
HealthSmart Preferred Care	PPO	$4,520.23
HealthSmart Preferred Care	PPO	$4,520.23
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCOUNTABLEPPO	$4,685.6
Physicians, INC	COMM	$4,685.6
USA Managed Care	COMM	$4,685.6
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCOUNTABLEPPO	$4,685.6
Physicians, INC	COMM	$4,685.6
USA Managed Care	COMM	$4,685.6
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCOUNTABLEPPO	$4,685.6
Physicians, INC	COMM	$4,685.6
USA Managed Care	COMM	$4,685.6
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCOUNTABLEPPO	$4,685.6
Physicians, INC	COMM	$4,685.6
USA Managed Care	COMM	$4,685.6
Beech Street	COMMPPO	$4,841.6
TriWest Healthcare Alliance	Veterans	$4,841.6
Affiliated PPO	COMM	$4,961.22
Multiplan	COMPLEMENTARYPPO	$4,961.22
Affiliated PPO	COMM	$4,961.22
Multiplan	COMPLEMENTARYPPO	$4,961.22
Affiliated PPO	COMM	$4,961.22
Multiplan	COMPLEMENTARYPPO	$4,961.22
Affiliated PPO	COMM	$4,961.22
Multiplan	COMPLEMENTARYPPO	$4,961.22
HealthSmart Preferred Care	PPO	$4,962.64
HealthSmart Preferred Care	ACCOUNTABLEPPO	$5,144.2
Physicians, INC	COMM	$5,144.2
USA Managed Care	COMM	$5,144.2
Affiliated PPO	COMM	$5,446.8
Multiplan	COMPLEMENTARYPPO	$5,446.8

Key finding: Renaissance Commercial plans negotiate rates as low as $76.69 at St. Luke's facilities while Multiplan rates reach $25,555.50 at HCA Kingwood for the same abdominal ultrasound.

How to Use This Information

✓ These are facility fees only. The physician's fee is billed separately.
✓ Contact your insurer or the hospital billing department for your specific out-of-pocket cost.
✓ Many hospitals offer financial assistance programs for patients who qualify.

Our methodology · Medical Disclaimer

What Patients Ask About Ultrasound Costs

How much does a ultrasound cost without insurance in Houston?

Cash prices for ultrasound in Houston vary significantly by hospital and procedure type. For abdominal ultrasound (76700), cash prices range from $989.50 at Houston Methodist to $9,150.55 at HCA Clear Lake and Mainland facilities. Pelvic ultrasound (76856) cash prices span from $989.80 at multiple St. Luke's locations to $6,350.87 at HCA Clear Lake and Mainland. Memorial Hermann facilities charge $1,177.60 for abdominal and $1,009.04 for pelvic ultrasound across their network. The overall cash price range extends from $989.50 to $9,150.55 depending on the facility and specific ultrasound type. These facility fees cover only the hospital's charges and do not include the radiologist's separate professional fee for interpreting the images, which is billed separately.

Why is the gross charge so much higher than the cash price?

The gross charge represents the hospital's official list price, also known as the chargemaster rate, but almost no one actually pays this amount. Cash prices reflect substantial discounts from these inflated starting points. For example, Memorial Hermann locations show gross charges of $3,680 for abdominal ultrasound but offer cash prices of $1,177.60, representing a 32% discount. Houston Methodist provides an even steeper 50% reduction, from $1,979 gross to $989.50 cash. However, HCA facilities charge their full gross rate as the cash price, offering no discount. Even when hospitals offer large percentage discounts, a higher gross charge can still result in a higher final cash price, as seen when comparing Houston Methodist's discounted rate to HCA's undiscounted pricing.

Does insurance cover a ultrasound?

Insurance coverage for ultrasound procedures depends on the specific plan terms and medical necessity as determined by the ordering physician. Negotiated insurance rates in Houston range from $76.69 to $25,555.50 for the same procedure, demonstrating significant variation between insurers and plan types. Most insurance plans cover medically necessary ultrasounds, though some may require prior authorization for non-emergency situations. Patients with high-deductible health plans who have not yet met their annual deductible will pay the negotiated insurance rate out-of-pocket, not the higher gross charge. The final amount depends on factors including the specific insurer, plan type, deductible status, and any applicable copayments or coinsurance percentages outlined in the individual policy.

Are there additional fees beyond the ultrasound facility charge?

The facility fees shown cover only the hospital's charges for the ultrasound equipment, room, and technologist services. A separate professional fee is billed by the radiologist who interprets the ultrasound images and provides the diagnostic report to the referring physician. This radiologist reading fee is not included in the facility pricing and is billed separately. If the ultrasound is performed in an emergency department setting, additional ER facility fees will apply beyond the imaging charges. Patients may expect to receive separate bills from both the hospital facility and the interpreting radiologist. The referring physician who ordered the ultrasound may also bill separately for the office visit during which the results are discussed, though reviewing imaging results is typically part of follow-up care rather than a standalone billable service.

Compare Other Procedures in Houston

Echocardiogram Cost in Houston

Cash prices from $526.13 to $19,964.77.

Colonoscopy Cost in Houston

Cash prices from $462 to $1,835.24.

ER Visit Cost in Houston

Cash prices from $265.69 to $9,731.47.

Data Sources

Baylor St Luke's Medical Center

File updated: 2026-02-28 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13

We are not affiliated with Baylor St Luke's Medical Center. Published prices may not reflect your actual cost. Disclaimer