Private Ultrasound · Metro Vancouver
Private Ultrasound in Vancouver: Self-Pay Clinics, Referrals & What to Expect
A plain-language guide to private-pay ultrasound in Metro Vancouver — plus a directory of the region's self-pay and keepsake clinics.
- DAP-accredited options
- MSP vs private explained
- Free clinic directory
What is a private (self-pay) ultrasound?
A private ultrasound is a scan you pay for yourself at a private-pay clinic, instead of one billed to BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) at a hospital or MSP-billing facility. People choose private-pay for a few reasons: faster access when MSP wait times are long, keepsake 3D/4D scans that MSP does not cover, or a scan their situation does not qualify for under MSP.
Do you need a referral?
It depends on the clinic and the type of scan. Diagnostic ultrasound usually still expects a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner — even when you pay privately — because it is a medical assessment. Keepsake / non-medical 3D/4D scans typically do not require a referral, since they are for bonding and photos, not diagnosis.
Not sure whether you need one? Our guide to ultrasound referrals in BC walks through when a referral is required, when it is not, and the no-referral private-pay path.
MSP vs private-pay: how they compare
| MSP-billed ultrasound | Private-pay ultrasound | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | MSP (medically necessary scans) | You (out of pocket) |
| Referral | Required | Usually for diagnostic; not for keepsake |
| Wait time | Can be longer | Often faster / same-week |
| Keepsake 3D/4D | Not covered | Available at keepsake studios |
| Facility | Hospital / MSP-billing clinic | Private-pay clinic or keepsake studio |
What does a private ultrasound cost?
Private ultrasound prices vary by clinic and by the type of scan, and clinics update their fees over time. Rather than publish figures we have not verified, we recommend contacting the clinic directly for a current quote before you book. Ask whether the price includes the sonographer's scan, the radiologist's report (for diagnostic studies), and any images or media you want to keep.
Private-pay ultrasound clinics in Metro Vancouver
19 private-pay and keepsake clinics in our directory. Ratings are real Google review scores, verified from public sources.
| Clinic | City | Type | Rating | Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track Ultrasound Inc. 中文 | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 5★ (351) | General diagnostic |
| Healthcode Medical Inc. | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 5★ (2) | General diagnostic |
| R-Medy Executive Health | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 5★ (3) | General diagnostic |
| Hi Baby 3D/4D/5D Ultrasound | Richmond | Keepsake / non-medical | 5★ (69) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| UC Baby 3D Ultrasound - 5D Ultrasound | Surrey | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.9★ (849) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| Discovery 3D Ultrasound | Surrey | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.8★ (131) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| UC Baby 3D Ultrasound - 5D Ultrasound | Burnaby | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.7★ (444) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| UC Baby Richmond 3D 4D 5D Ultrasound | Richmond | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.7★ (196) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| 3D Mom and Baby Ultrasound | Surrey | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.5★ (57) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| CB FEMI'S Health | Burnaby | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 4.4★ (16) | General diagnostic |
| Lifespan Medical Services | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 4.4★ (14) | General diagnostic |
| 3D Sono Image | Vancouver | Keepsake / non-medical | 4.2★ (11) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| TELUS Health Care Centres Inc. | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 3.3★ (40) | General diagnostic |
| WELL Health Medical and Longevity Centres | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 3.2★ (10) | General diagnostic, Echocardiogram |
| Pacific Diagnostic MRI - Westwood | Coquitlam | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 2.5★ (270) | General diagnostic |
| My 3D Ultrasound | Vancouver | Keepsake / non-medical | 2.3★ (6) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| Som Visao 3D Ultrasound Vancouver | Vancouver | Keepsake / non-medical | 2★ (1) | 3D/4D keepsake |
| TELUS Health Care Centre - North Vancouver | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | 1.8★ (16) | General diagnostic |
| BreastCare Imaging Ltd. | Vancouver | Private-pay (DAP-accredited) | — | General diagnostic |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a private (self-pay) ultrasound in Vancouver?
A private ultrasound is a scan you pay for out of pocket at a private-pay clinic, rather than one billed to BC MSP at a hospital or MSP-billing clinic. People choose private-pay for faster access, keepsake 3D/4D scans, or services their situation does not qualify for under MSP.
Do I need a doctor referral for a private ultrasound?
It depends on the clinic and the scan. Diagnostic ultrasound usually still expects a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner even when you pay privately; keepsake / non-medical 3D/4D scans typically do not. Confirm the referral policy with the specific clinic before booking.
Does BC MSP cover private ultrasound?
No. MSP covers medically necessary diagnostic ultrasound performed at MSP-billing facilities with a referral. If you choose a private-pay clinic, you pay for the scan yourself — MSP does not reimburse it.
How much does a private ultrasound cost in Vancouver?
Prices vary by clinic and by the type of scan, and clinics update their fees over time. We do not publish specific prices we have not verified — contact the clinic directly for a current quote before you book.
Are private ultrasound clinics accredited?
Look for DAP accreditation (Diagnostic Accreditation Program of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC) for diagnostic imaging. Keepsake / non-medical 3D/4D studios are not diagnostic facilities and are not DAP-accredited — they are for bonding / photos, not medical assessment.
Can I get a same-day or walk-in private ultrasound in Vancouver?
Sometimes. Private-pay clinics often have shorter waits than MSP facilities, and some can book within the same week or offer walk-in keepsake scans. Availability varies by clinic and by the type of scan, so call ahead to confirm same-day or walk-in options before you go.
Is a keepsake 3D/4D ultrasound the same as a medical ultrasound?
No. Keepsake 3D/4D scans are for bonding and photos, not medical diagnosis, and the studios that offer them are not diagnostic facilities. If you need a medical assessment, book a diagnostic ultrasound at a DAP-accredited clinic or hospital instead.
Can extended health benefits cover a private ultrasound?
It depends on your plan. Some extended health or private insurance plans reimburse certain scans, while others do not cover elective or keepsake imaging at all. Check your specific plan details, and ask the clinic for an itemized receipt you can submit.