Cost of a Pregnancy Ultrasound Visit
in Iowa
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Iowa's healthcare system serves a predominantly rural population where 64% of residents live outside metropolitan areas, creating unique access patterns for specialized services like Pregnancy Ultrasound care. Pregnancy Ultrasound visits in Iowa show significant variation, with negotiated rates for diagnostic ultrasounds ranging from $58 to $329, and a median cost of $135 based on transparency data from 397 active providers statewide. Patients can browse all qualified Pregnancy Ultrasound providers across Iowa to find the most cost-effective option for their specific needs.
Average
$174
Median
$135
Lowest
$58
Highest
$329
Providers
397
15% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does ob ultrasound compare to related procedures in Iowa?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy Diagnostic colonoscopy | 45378 | $85 | $466 | $944 | 458 |
| Colonoscopy with Biopsy Colonoscopy with biopsy | 45380 | $85 | $720 | $1,373 | 385 |
| Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare | 45385 | $95 | $885 | $1,197 | 288 |
| Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy | 43235 | $135 | $594 | $691 | 254 |
| Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy | 43239 | $85 | $560 | $902 | 293 |
| ECG / EKG 12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation | 93000 | $14 | $28 | $93 | 780 |
| Echocardiogram Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler | 93306 | $85 | $245 | $477 | 454 |
Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.
The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 76805 — Ultrasound, pregnant uterus, complete). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.
Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.
This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.
Where this data comes from & what CPT 76805 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 76805 (Ultrasound, pregnant uterus, complete), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 76805 covers: the provider's professional fee for ob ultrasound. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.
How to read this data
Negotiated Rate
The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.
P5, Median, P95
P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.
What this does not tell you
These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.
Why Pregnancy Ultrasound Visit Costs Vary Across Iowa
Iowa's healthcare costs run approximately 9% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive provider market in urban areas. The state's rural geography creates distinct pricing patterns, with some remote areas commanding premium rates due to limited provider availability.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City concentrate most specialized pregnancy ultrasound services, while rural counties may have limited or no local providers. Patients in remote areas often travel 50+ miles for specialized prenatal care, creating additional costs beyond the medical fees. This geographic disparity can drive higher prices in underserved areas where providers face less competition.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center, and University of Iowa Health Care dominate the Iowa market, operating both hospital-based and community clinics with varying cost structures. Hospital-owned facilities typically charge higher facility fees due to increased overhead and regulatory requirements. Independent practices and community health centers often provide more competitive pricing for routine pregnancy ultrasounds.
Insurance Market Competition in Iowa
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield holds significant market share alongside UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate competition that helps keep negotiated rates reasonable. The state's insurance market concentration means fewer carrier options compared to larger states, but competition remains sufficient to prevent excessive pricing. Rural areas may have even more limited insurer participation, affecting negotiated rate variations.
Physician Supply and Demand in Iowa
With 397 active providers offering pregnancy ultrasound services, Iowa maintains adequate specialist coverage relative to its population of 3.2 million residents. This supply-demand balance helps keep costs competitive, particularly in metro areas where multiple providers compete for patients. Rural areas experience greater provider shortages, which can drive up prices and extend wait times for appointments.
Jayant Panwar
CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA
Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.
The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pregnancy Ultrasound Costs in Iowa
What is the average cost of a Pregnancy Ultrasound visit in Iowa without insurance?
Does Iowa Medicaid cover Pregnancy Ultrasound visits?
How do I find an affordable Pregnancy Ultrasound near me in Iowa?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Pregnancy Ultrasound visit in Iowa?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Pregnancy Ultrasound in Iowa?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 76805)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Range: $51 – $991 | $457 |
| 2 | Washington Range: $51 – $991 | $378 |
| 3 | Montana Range: $51 – $991 | $370 |
| 4 | Idaho Range: $50 – $591 | $242 |
| 5 | Wisconsin Range: $68 – $502 | $222 |
| 6 | Maine Range: $79 – $272 | $177 |
| 7 | Nebraska Range: $82 – $329 | $176 |
| 8 | Wyoming Range: $51 – $331 | $175 |
| 9 | Iowa Range: $58 – $329 | $174 |
| 10 | Vermont Range: $42 – $341 | $169 |
| 11 | New Hampshire Range: $57 – $317 | $168 |
| 12 | District of Columbia Range: $39 – $342 | $166 |
| 13 | Rhode Island Range: $50 – $328 | $164 |
| 14 | Georgia Range: $50 – $319 | $163 |
| 15 | New York Range: $36 – $328 | $158 |
| 16 | Massachusetts Range: $52 – $328 | $153 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania Range: $43 – $328 | $152 |
| 18 | New Mexico Range: $48 – $292 | $149 |
| 19 | Connecticut Range: $45 – $328 | $148 |
| 20 | Utah Range: $51 – $241 | $145 |
| 21 | Colorado Range: $51 – $275 | $143 |
| 22 | Nevada Range: $76 – $221 | $143 |
| 23 | California Range: $52 – $287 | $143 |
| 24 | Indiana Range: $45 – $280 | $142 |
| 25 | North Carolina Range: $44 – $272 | $141 |
| 26 | Hawaii Range: $54 – $230 | $137 |
| 27 | Delaware Range: $54 – $216 | $136 |
| 28 | Illinois Range: $45 – $257 | $134 |
| 29 | Texas Range: $46 – $237 | $126 |
| 30 | Oregon Range: $68 – $236 | $124 |
| 31 | Kentucky Range: $44 – $229 | $122 |
| 32 | New Jersey Range: $35 – $244 | $121 |
| 33 | Maryland Range: $37 – $231 | $119 |
| 34 | South Carolina Range: $43 – $221 | $118 |
| 35 | Michigan Range: $42 – $216 | $115 |
| 36 | Tennessee Range: $48 – $189 | $114 |
| 37 | Virginia Range: $36 – $215 | $112 |
| 38 | Arkansas Range: $49 – $188 | $111 |
| 39 | West Virginia Range: $50 – $215 | $111 |
| 40 | Ohio Range: $32 – $211 | $110 |
| 41 | Arizona Range: $51 – $178 | $107 |
| 42 | Missouri Range: $46 – $165 | $104 |
| 43 | Minnesota Range: $68 – $175 | $103 |
| 44 | Alabama Range: $39 – $189 | $103 |
| 45 | Kansas Range: $48 – $165 | $103 |
| 46 | Mississippi Range: $38 – $189 | $102 |
| 47 | Oklahoma Range: $42 – $175 | $101 |
| 48 | North Dakota Range: $68 – $157 | $97 |
| 49 | Florida Range: $35 – $192 | $96 |
| 50 | Louisiana Range: $38 – $159 | $88 |
| 51 | South Dakota Range: $68 – $117 | $84 |