Ultrasound Cost in Wilmington, NC (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ultrasound cost in Wilmington, NC?
You could pay $112 or $167 for the same ultrasound in Wilmington, NC - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 5 reporting hospitals is $117. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law. The sections below break this down by coverage and by insurer.
Three low-priced facilities in Wilmington, NC, from hospital price files
- Pender Memorial Hospital, Incorporated · Burgaw, NC $111
- J Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital · Southport, NC $117
- Brunswick Community Hospital, LLC · Bolivia, NC $179
All 5 facilities are listed below, free.
Where ultrasound costs vary in Wilmington, NC
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby 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.
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Cheapest Ultrasound Providers in Wilmington, NC
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pender Memorial Hospital, Incorporated | Burgaw, NC | $111 | -$6 |
| 2 | J Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital | Southport, NC | $117 | +$0 |
| 3 | Brunswick Community Hospital, LLC | Bolivia, NC | $179 | +$62 |
| 4 | Wilmington-Treatment-Center,LLC | Wilmington, NC | $200 | +$83 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost → · When the bills arrive, we check them for errors →
Quick take
- Pender Memorial Hospital, Incorporated is the lowest-cost option at $111 - $6 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 $117, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospital outpatient departments for the same scan and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
| Coverage | Hospitals with a rate | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare (national rate) | — | $107 to $107 | $107 |
| With insurance (commercial, average) | 3 | $140 to $248 | $144 |
| Without insurance (cash price) | 5 | $88 to $192 | $117 |
| Cigna | 3 | $105 to $114 | $108 |
Rates are negotiated allowed amounts and cash prices from hospital price-transparency files (October 2026), shown at each hospital’s lowest-priced typical billing code for this procedure. Facility fees only. The typical range is the middle 80% of hospitals, not a quote for your visit.
How much does an ultrasound cost with Medicare in Wilmington, NC?
Medicare's national hospital outpatient payment for ultrasound is about $107 to $107 (typically near $107). After the $257 Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, about $21 on a $107 payment, with no out-of-pocket cap unless you have supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Doctor, anesthesia and pathology fees are billed separately. Medicare rates are national CMS amounts, adjusted slightly by local wage levels.
How much does an ultrasound cost with insurance in Wilmington, NC?
Across 3 Wilmington, NC hospitals, the negotiated rates commercial insurers pay for ultrasound average $140 to $248 per hospital, with a median near $144. That is the amount your plan and you pay the hospital together; you owe your deductible, then coinsurance, up to your out-of-pocket maximum.
Each hospital’s figure is the average of the commercial insurers it lists. Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid rates are excluded.
How much does an ultrasound cost without insurance in Wilmington, NC?
Cash (self-pay) prices for ultrasound at 5 Wilmington, NC hospitals range from $88 to $192, with a median of $117. Ask for the cash or self-pay price and for any financial-assistance discount before you book; both can be lower than the posted price.
Cash prices are the hospital’s published discounted rate for patients paying without insurance.
How much does an ultrasound cost with Cigna in Wilmington, NC?
Cigna negotiated rates for ultrasound at 3 Wilmington, NC hospitals range from $105 to $114, with a median near $108. If a hospital is out of network for your Cigna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare) and Wake Forest Baptist Health have merged into one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the Southeast. Duke Health and UNC Health anchor the Research Triangle academic tier, creating a market where major academic centers hold outsized pricing leverage. North Carolina has been an active target for FTC scrutiny of hospital consolidation. 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.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $117 versus $200 inpatient (about 1.7× more), 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 | ~$117 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$23 |
| Out-of-network provider | $257+ |
Frequently asked questions: ultrasound costs in Wilmington, NC
How much does an ultrasound cost in Wilmington, NC?
The typical price is $117, with most facilities between $112 and $167. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $72 to $200 across all 5 Wilmington, NC hospitals that publish prices. 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 Wilmington, NC?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Wilmington, NC data is Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center LLC in Wilmington at about $72. By metro, Wilmington has the lowest median ($136). Independent 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 Wilmington, NC hospitals?
Prices vary up to 2.8× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Wilmington, NC, the median cash (self-pay) price is $117 versus a median negotiated rate of $144 - cash is the lower number at many hospitals. Asking for the cash price as well as 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 Wilmington, NC?
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 Wilmington, NC
Ultrasound, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
Imaging center vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than independent imaging 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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