How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

Testicular ultrasound; Testicular sonogram

Scrotal ultrasound is an imaging test that looks at the scrotum. It is the flesh-covered sac that hangs between the legs at the base of the penis and contains the testicles.

The testicles are the male reproductive organs that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. They are located in the scrotum, along with other small organs, blood vessels, and a small tube called the vas deferens.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the testes, the epididymis, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

Testicular ultrasound is an imaging procedure to examine the testicles and other scrotal structures. A ultrasound is performed by moving the ultrasound transducer over the scrotum. Ultrasound pictures are viewed on a monitor at the same time. Testicular ultrasound is performed to help determine the cause of testicular enlargement or the reason for testicular pain.

How the Test is Performed

You lie on your back with your legs spread. The health care provider drapes a cloth across your thighs under the scrotum or applies wide strips of adhesive tape to the area. The scrotal sac will be slightly raised with the testicles lying side by side.

A clear gel is applied to the scrotal sac to help transmit the sound waves. A handheld probe (the ultrasound transducer) is then moved over the scrotum by the technologist. The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves. These waves reflect off areas in the scrotum to create a picture.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is needed for this test.

How the Test will Feel

There is little discomfort. The conducting gel may feel slightly cold and wet.

Why the Test is Performed

A testicle ultrasound is done to:

  • Help determine why one or both testicles have become larger
  • Look at a mass or lump in one or both of the testicles
  • Find the reason for pain in the testicles
  • Show how blood flows through the testicles

Normal Results

The testicles and other areas in the scrotum appear normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Possible causes of abnormal results include:

  • Collection of very small veins, called a varicocele
  • Infection or abscess
  • Noncancerous (benign) cyst
  • Twisting of the testicle that blocks blood flow, called testicular torsion
  • Testicular tumor

Risks

There are no known risks. You will not be exposed to radiation with this test.

Considerations

In certain cases, Doppler ultrasound may help identify blood flow inside the scrotum. This method can be helpful in cases of testicular torsion, because blood flow to the twisted testicle may be reduced.

References

Gilbert BR, Fulgham PF. Urinary tract imaging: basic principles of urologic ultrasonography. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 4.

Owen CA. Scrotum. In: Hagen-Ansert SL, ed. Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography. 8th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2018:chap 23.

Sommers D, Winter T. The scrotum. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 22.

Version Info

Last reviewed on: 4/26/2020

Reviewed by: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

Posted: 3/19/2019 4:43:11 PM EDT

Had to get an ultrasound a month ago to make sure my nuts are good. Doc said it would mostly be covered, I have blue cross and I work for the hospital. ($800/mo premium). Got the bill and it's fucking $1200!!!! My insurance only covered $224.

On top of that I went to ER for massive headache and they did a CT scan which was covered under my policy and would fall under $300 co pay. Yet now that is $1200 bill as well. What the fuck am I doing wrong here? Is there a way to fight this?

ETA: Called the urology place and there walk in cash price is only $559

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:44:12 PM EDT

[#1]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:44:36 PM EDT

[#2]

I think I paid $450 cash for mine and I got a decent looking chick to rub my nuts.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:45:21 PM EDT

[#3]

Happy endings cost extra, bro.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:51:26 PM EDT

[#4]

Quit working

Become uninsured

Get a tan and call yourself Jose (no documentation needed or used for this)

Profit.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:52:25 PM EDT

[#5]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Quit working

Become uninsured

Get a tan and call yourself Jose (no documentation needed or used for this)

Profit.

View Quote

Nailed it

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:56:07 PM EDT

[#6]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 4:58:45 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Had to get an ultrasound a month ago to make sure my nuts are good. Doc said it would mostly be covered, I have blue cross and I work for the hospital. ($800/mo premium). Got the bill and it's fucking $1200!!!! My insurance only covered $224.

View Quote

Blue Cross has a huge range of policies and coverage for each.  Its not generic.  Know your policy.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:00:34 PM EDT

[#8]

Next time just get a really bright flashlight

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:01:05 PM EDT

[#9]

Your nut sack must be atrocious for them to charge extra.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:05:47 PM EDT

[#10]

Called, cash price was $559

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:07:22 PM EDT

[#11]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:08:50 PM EDT

[#12]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:09:56 PM EDT

[#13]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
I think I paid $450 cash for mine and I got a decent looking chick to rub my nuts.

View Quote

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:10:46 PM EDT

[#14]

There’s no limit to what I’d spend to save my fun gear

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:11:27 PM EDT

[#15]

The only people that get free hospital procedures are members of the FSA. They don't call it free shit for nothing.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:11:50 PM EDT

[#16]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Called, cash price was $559

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

View Quote

I would haggle with them over the difference. Offer them $235 for the difference. If they don't agree then send the bill to Obama, he fucked the system up so bad for all of us everyone should be sending him their bills.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:13:33 PM EDT

[#17]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Quit working

Become uninsured

Get a tan and call yourself Jose (no documentation needed or used for this)

Profit.

View Quote

This might work for me. I like this plan. I can also say no habla english in spanish

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:13:55 PM EDT

[#18]

Did you make the joke?

When they are done, you have to look at the screen and say, “It’s a boy!”

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:14:38 PM EDT

[#19]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:15:07 PM EDT

[#20]

Send them 5 bucks a month.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 5:55:49 PM EDT

[#21]

It's absolutely absurd you pay more paying $800 month with insurance than some random dude who is uninsured and billed as cash. That's all sorts of fucked up. Why even have insurance at that point?

other than catastrophic

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:07:11 PM EDT

[#22]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Quit working

Become uninsured

Get a tan and call yourself Jose (no documentation needed or used for this)

Profit.

View Quote

Damn good idea.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:10:26 PM EDT

[#23]

Had to take my 9 yr old son to the hospital after his complaint of testicular pain with no trauma.
His Dr office was closed and the on call nurse had us worried about testicular torsion.
They performed a testicular exam and ultrasound. Got a nice 4K bill for that visit. Fucking hospital charged $800 for the testicular exam

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

They get $25 a month payment from me

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:15:14 PM EDT

[#24]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Called, cash price was $559

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

View Quote

It used to be there were different pharmacys and doctors that took no insurance because they couldnt legally charge an individual and an insurance company different prices... Not sure if this system is better or worse but I STRONGLY think worse.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:17:36 PM EDT

[#25]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:

other than catastrophic

View Quote

And at that point the insurance only pays for the cheapest treatment not the best if they even pay anything at all. They dont always pay for life saving medecine anyway.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:21:31 PM EDT

[#26]

I feel better about my afternoon now. Spent it getting my required ( and paid for) county physical, which included the ultrasound of my sac

Free for meee!

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

I texted the wife that I held onto some of the gel to ease her burden, she didn’t seem excited.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:22:31 PM EDT

[#27]

Speaking anecdotally, in my experience hospitals have the the shittiest HMOs imaginable for their employees.

Did they do both nuts or just one? I had an ultrasound on my left nut about 18 months ago and the bill to insurance was $850.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:46:02 PM EDT

[#28]

I’m my wife scans my balls for free all the time.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

No... really. She works in the Radiology Ultrasound dept.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 6:53:44 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Had to get an ultrasound a month ago to make sure my nuts are good. Doc said it would mostly be covered, I have blue cross and I work for the hospital. ($800/mo premium). Got the bill and it's fucking $1200!!!! My insurance only covered $224.

On top of that I went to ER for massive headache and they did a CT scan which was covered under my policy and would fall under $300 co pay. Yet now that is $1200 bill as well. What the fuck am I doing wrong here? Is there a way to fight this?

View Quote

Just because the ER or medical facility is covered, doesn't mean the Dr., Techs, etc. accept your insurance. Yeah it's a racket. Luckily my lesson only cost me around $400 or so.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:00:23 PM EDT

[#30]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:

And at that point the insurance only pays for the cheapest treatment not the best if they even pay anything at all. They dont always pay for life saving medecine anyway.

View Quote

But you still get it

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:08:04 PM EDT

[#31]

Meh,  when they did the fusion in my neck,  they had to monitor my nerves on all 4 limbs,  all preapproved by insurance well before hand..all done and over with and I get a bill for 3600 bucks..the total bill for it...the provider was out of network...yet she is the only provider in the state...My plan was  a gold plan,  max out of pocket of 3 grand..all said and done the 3 surgeries that year cost me almost 20 grand out of pocket..just how things work now days...

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:09:06 PM EDT

[#32]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Called, cash price was $559

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance

View Quote

Yeah, I'd tell them, and the insurance agency, to blow me.

In all honesty, call your insurance agent, get it sorted. And tell the hospital you are not paying more than what you originally agreed to, particularly since the quoted price is greater than the actual price of the procedure.

Hospitals do this shit to people that don't bother calling bullshit all the time. Have to get some schmuck to pay for juan and the fucking methheads somehow.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:09:14 PM EDT

[#33]

Next time ask what the self pay price is and compare what insurance will cover.

I had BCBS and went in for an MRI cost to insurnace was $1000, self pay cost was $350.  My ded was $1000. I claimed no insurance and paid for it myself.

It's BCBS I'm shocked they didnt stick you with the entire bill.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:17:01 PM EDT

[#34]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
There’s no limit to what I’d spend to save my fun gear

View Quote

I have a limit. It's about $3,000.
After that my (wait for it OP....) deductible would be satisfied, and the rest of the year would be no out of pocket.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/19/2019 7:28:01 PM EDT

[#35]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:

I have a limit. It's about $3,000.
After that my (wait for it OP....) deductible would be satisfied, and the rest of the year

would be no out of pocket.

View Quote

Until it suddenly is when insurance still finds a way to fuck you.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:16:10 AM EDT

[#36]

Also we have "hospital" insurance so it's not really 100% Blue Cross but their own monopolized system they require us to use.

On top of horrible raises (cents), forced flu shots, forced blood draws, 3 sick days a year or disciplinary action, allowed only 24hrs PTO for grievance, $800/mo insurance, shitty benefits, and pay.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:17:08 AM EDT

[#37]

If you want to keep your balls, you can keep....oh who are we kidding

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:18:53 AM EDT

[#38]

obama care fucked you.  Now you know...

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:24:54 AM EDT

[#39]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
Speaking anecdotally, in my experience hospitals have the the shittiest HMOs imaginable for their employees.

Did they do both nuts or just one? I had an ultrasound on my left nut about 18 months ago and the bill to insurance was $850.

View Quote

I'll second this from experience with family members who work for large hospitals. Their insurance sucks compared to many/most other occupations.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:29:36 AM EDT

[#40]

I know a guy who is unemployed and gets some kind of monthly disability payment because he's not all there mentally.

I shit you not, a couple of years ago he went to the emergengy room like 180 times.  I'm not even exaggerating, it could even be higher I'm just kind of taking a guess.  He is addicted to the attention. He goes in and says he feels like killing himself, sometimes stays the night.

He told me a while back that his doctor has him taking some new nightmare medicine.

ETA He doesn't drive so usually an ambulance comes to pick him up.

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:39:00 AM EDT

[#41]

Oh they also cancelled longevity for all employees who were hired after 2008 and capped PTO ar a certain amount around 350-400 until you no longer acrue

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Posted: 3/20/2019 12:39:13 AM EDT

[#42]

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
Quote History

Quoted:
I think I paid $450 cash for mine and I got a decent looking chick to rub my nuts.

View Quote

Same

How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
How much does a testicular ultrasound cost without insurance
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How long does a testicular ultrasound take?

In total, the testicular ultrasound scan should only take around 15 to 30 minutes. Results will be sent to the referring provider within a few days. What Do the Ultrasound Images Show?

How much does testicular cost?

The first cost is the cost of the testicular implant or prosthesis itself, which varies but in the United States, the prices range around $2000-$3000 for each implant. For men who require 2 implants, the cost would be double.

What can I expect from a testicular ultrasound?

The medical professional will move the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually light, but it may cause some discomfort if a person has an injury or swelling in the area.

How do I prepare for a testicular ultrasound?

Typically, there's no special preparation necessary for a testicular ultrasound. There's no need to make dietary changes, fast, or maintain a full bladder before the exam.