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

What does a ultrasound cost in South Carolina?

The same ultrasound in South Carolina might cost you $57 at one facility and $115 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 51 reporting hospitals is $89. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where ultrasound costs vary in South Carolina

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.

Prisma Health (formed from Palmetto Health and Greenville Health System) and Roper St. Francis are the two largest health systems, anchoring the Midlands and Lowcountry respectively. South Carolina's delayed Medicaid expansion maintained a higher uninsured population for years, influencing charity care structures and cash price policies at many facilities. 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

A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $206, including Shriners Childrens - Greenville at $362, 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 $89 versus $58 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 South Carolina

How much does an ultrasound cost in South Carolina?

Across 51 South Carolina hospitals that publish prices, an ultrasound ranges from $50 to $2,811, with a median of $89. Most facilities fall between $54 and $115. 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 South Carolina?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our South Carolina data is Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia in Columbia at about $42. By metro, Florence has the lowest median ($51). 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 South Carolina hospitals?

Prices vary up to 56.2× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In South Carolina, the median cash (self-pay) price is $89 versus a median negotiated rate of $42 - about 2.1× 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 South Carolina?

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.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).