Ultrasound Cost in Birmingham, AL (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ultrasound cost in Birmingham, AL?
The same ultrasound in Birmingham, AL might cost you $62 at one facility and $94 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 16 reporting hospitals is $86. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where ultrasound costs vary in Birmingham, AL
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
The same ultrasound can be one bill or two - and the radiologist can be out-of-network even when the facility isn't.
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Cheapest Ultrasound Providers in Birmingham, AL
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Vincent’s Blount | Oneonta, AL | $54 | -$32 |
| 2 | St. Vincent’s Hospital | Birmingham, AL | $54 | -$32 |
| 3 | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County | Pelham, AL | $60 | -$26 |
| 4 | St. Vincent’s Chilton | Clanton, AL | $61 | -$25 |
| 5 | St. Vincent’s St. Clair | Pell City, AL | $64 | -$22 |
| 6 | St. Vincent’s East | Birmingham, AL | $64 | -$22 |
| 7 | Medical West Hospital | AL | $80 | -$6 |
| 8 | Baptist Health Walker Hospital | Jasper, AL | $91 | +$5 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- St. Vincent’s Blount is the lowest-cost option at $54 - $32 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $92, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
Alabama's hospital market is concentrated around UAB Health System in Birmingham and Baptist Health statewide, limiting competitive pricing pressure outside the major metros. Rural facilities operate with thinner margins and fewer negotiated-rate contracts, which typically produces higher list prices alongside steeper cash discounts. Ultrasound pricing varies more by body part and clinical indication than almost any other imaging type - an OB ultrasound, a vascular duplex study, and an abdominal ultrasound carry different CPT codes and reimbursement rates even though the equipment is the same. Independent imaging centers typically charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same study. The sonographer skill matters more than setting for diagnostic quality.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (3) report prices above $144, including PHC of Michigan, LLC at $200, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $91 versus $80 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$86 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$17 |
| Out-of-network provider | $189+ |
Frequently asked questions: ultrasound costs in Birmingham, AL
How much does an ultrasound cost in Birmingham, AL?
Across 16 Birmingham, AL hospitals that publish prices, an ultrasound ranges from $50 to $200, with a median of $86. Most facilities fall between $61 and $94. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get an ultrasound in Birmingham, AL?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Birmingham, AL data is Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham at about $50. By metro, Birmingham has the lowest median ($78). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is an ultrasound so much cheaper at some Birmingham, AL hospitals?
Prices vary up to 4× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Birmingham, AL, the median cash (self-pay) price is $92 versus a median negotiated rate of $31 - about 3× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for an ultrasound in Birmingham, AL?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Birmingham, AL
Ultrasound, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same ultrasound - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this ultrasound changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
This is shoppable
Ultrasound is elective and schedulable, so you have time to compare facilities before booking - hospital outpatient prices often run 2-4x higher than alternative settings for the identical clinical outcome.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for ultrasound before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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