Ultrasound Cost in Massachusetts (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a ultrasound cost in Massachusetts?

You could pay $74 or $130 for the same ultrasound in Massachusetts - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 46 reporting hospitals is $96. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where ultrasound costs vary in Massachusetts

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.

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Massachusetts has the highest commercial hospital reimbursement rates in the country, driven by extreme labor costs, the dominance of Mass General Brigham (Partners HealthCare), and a regulatory environment that has struggled to contain negotiated rate growth. The state has enacted multiple price transparency and rate growth laws aimed at curbing this pattern. Self-pay cash discounts in Massachusetts tend to be proportionally larger than in other high-cost states. 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 (10) report prices above $219, including Shriners Childrens - Boston at $426, 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 $112 versus $74 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.

Frequently asked questions: ultrasound costs in Massachusetts

How much does an ultrasound cost in Massachusetts?

Across 46 Massachusetts hospitals that publish prices, an ultrasound ranges from $60 to $2,790, with a median of $96. Most facilities fall between $74 and $130. 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 Massachusetts?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Massachusetts data is Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Braintree in Braintree at about $26. By metro, Boston has the lowest median ($156). 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 Massachusetts hospitals?

Prices vary up to 46.5× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Massachusetts, the median cash (self-pay) price is $125 versus a median negotiated rate of $42 - 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 Massachusetts?

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.

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