An echocardiogram costs about $500 to $3,000 without insurance
Without insurance, an echocardiogram costs about $500 to $3,000 in 2026. Where you go matters most. A standard echo costs about $200 to $800 at an independent imaging center, but $1,000 to $2,500 at a hospital. With insurance, most people pay about $150 to $2,000 depending on their deductible.
What an echocardiogram costs
| Standard echo, imaging center | $200 to $800 |
|---|---|
| Standard echo, hospital | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Stress echo, imaging center | $300 to $1,000 |
| Stress echo, hospital | $1,200 to $2,800 |
| Echo through the throat (TEE), imaging center | $500 to $1,500 |
| Echo through the throat (TEE), hospital | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Doctor reading fee | $150 to $450 |
| Medicare approved amount, average | About $300 |
A standard echo, called a transthoracic echo, is done with a probe on your chest. It is the most common type and the cheapest. Sources: Free Market Healthcare, echocardiogram cost with and without insurance (April 2026); Doctor2me, MRI, CT and echocardiogram costs (August 2026); CareCostIndex, echocardiogram cost from CMS Medicare data (April 2026).
What changes your price
- Where you go. Hospitals charge two to three times more than imaging centers.
- Type of echo. Stress echos and echos through the throat cost more.
- Two bills. The machine and the doctor who reads the images are often billed apart.
- Insurance. Your deductible and coinsurance decide what you pay.
- Cash price. Paying cash is often cheaper than the billed price.
- Your state. Prices vary a lot from state to state.
Hospital or imaging center
Free Market Healthcare says a standard echo costs $200 to $800 at an imaging center and $1,000 to $2,500 at a hospital outpatient department. It lists stress echos at $300 to $1,000 versus $1,200 to $2,800, and echos done through the throat at $500 to $1,500 versus $1,500 to $3,500. CoveredUSA says hospital outpatient departments charge two to three times more than independent heart clinics.
Doctor2me says cash prices run $500 to $3,000, and with insurance most people pay $150 to $2,000 depending on the deductible. It says many places offer a cash price 40 to 60 percent below the billed amount, and that the doctor reading fee alone runs about $150 to $450, separate from the facility fee.
CareCostIndex, using Medicare payment data, puts the average without insurance at about $2,000, with insurance at about $350, and the Medicare approved amount at about $300. CostInsightHub says independent heart clinics and mobile echo services charge 30 to 50 percent less than hospitals. Sources: Free Market Healthcare, echocardiogram cost with and without insurance (April 2026); CoveredUSA, echocardiogram cost without insurance in 2026 (May 2026); Doctor2me, MRI, CT and echocardiogram costs (August 2026); CareCostIndex, echocardiogram cost from CMS Medicare data (April 2026); CostInsightHub, echocardiogram cost 2026 (April 2026).
What an echo shows and how long it takes
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It shows the size of the heart chambers, how well the valves work and how strongly the heart pumps. A standard echo takes about 20 to 45 minutes and uses no radiation.
CoveredUSA says people on Medicaid usually pay only $1 to $5 for outpatient heart imaging. For other health costs, see our urgent care page and our Medicare Part B deductible page.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask for one total that includes the facility and the reading doctor.
- Ask for the cash price, even if you have insurance.
- Ask for a written good faith estimate. The No Surprises Act gives you this right if you pay cash.
- Compare with $200 to $800 at an imaging center.
Ways to pay less
- Use an independent imaging center instead of a hospital.
- Call three places and ask for their cash price.
- Check if cash is cheaper than your deductible.
- Use a health savings account or flexible spending account.
How we got these numbers
Hospitals and imaging centers set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 health cost guides and Medicare data, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. This page is about cost only, not medical advice. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does an echocardiogram cost without insurance?
About $500 to $3,000 in 2026, and $200 to $800 at many imaging centers.
How much is an echocardiogram with insurance?
Most people pay about $150 to $2,000, depending on their deductible.
Why are there two bills for one echo?
The facility and the doctor who reads the images often bill apart. Ask for one total.
Does Medicare cover an echocardiogram?
Medicare Part B usually covers it when a doctor orders it. The approved amount averages about $300.