V
Vancouver Ultrasound Finder

Service overview

Ultrasound services in Metro Vancouver

There are 8 broad ultrasound service categories that Metro Vancouver clinics offer. Whether MSP pays depends on the specific procedure code in the BC Medical Services Commission (MSC) Payment Schedule §40, plus whether the facility is DAP-accredited and MSP-enrolled. This page summarises what each service is, when MSP applies, typical private-pay cost, and the typical wait. Detailed editorial pillar pages for each service are being published — see the guides directory for related deep-dives in the meantime.

General diagnostic ultrasound

MSP: Covered

Abdominal, pelvic, thyroid, soft-tissue imaging for diagnostic purposes.

Private-pay cost
$150–$300
Typical wait
Public: 4–12 weeks. Private DAP: 1–4 weeks.
Metro Vancouver clinics
61 clinics offer this

MSP detail: MSP pays at $0 with a doctor's referral at a DAP-accredited, MSP-enrolled facility.

Pregnancy / Obstetric ultrasound

MSP: Covered

Fetal viability, dating, anatomy (~18-20 weeks), and growth scans.

Private-pay cost
$200–$400
Typical wait
Public OB clinic: 1–6 weeks. Private DAP: same-day to 2 weeks.
Metro Vancouver clinics
0 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Each medically-indicated obstetric scan is MSP-billable. Nuchal Translucency has a maternal-age criterion under §40.

Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound)

MSP: Covered

Evaluation of cardiac structure, valve function, and blood flow.

Private-pay cost
$400–$700
Typical wait
Public: 4–14 weeks. Private DAP: 1–3 weeks.
Metro Vancouver clinics
20 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Cardiologist or GP referral required. Both transthoracic and stress echo are §40-listed.

Vascular Doppler ultrasound

MSP: Conditional

Arterial and venous flow assessment — carotids, legs (DVT), abdominal vessels.

Private-pay cost
$250–$500
Typical wait
Hospital MSP: 4–12 weeks. Private outpatient: 1–2 weeks.
Metro Vancouver clinics
0 clinics offer this

MSP detail: MSP only pays for vascular Doppler performed at a hospital-based facility under §40 restrictions. Outpatient private clinics that offer Doppler must charge private-pay.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound

MSP: Conditional

Joints, tendons, ligaments, soft-tissue injury — shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle.

Private-pay cost
$200–$400
Typical wait
Private DAP: 1–2 weeks (faster than public for elective MSK).
Metro Vancouver clinics
0 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Some MSK ultrasound codes are §40-listed (e.g. soft-tissue mass, baker's cyst). Many private clinics offer broader MSK panels as private-pay.

Pediatric ultrasound

MSP: Covered

Imaging for infants and children — abdominal, hip dysplasia screening, head ultrasound.

Private-pay cost
$200–$400
Typical wait
Pediatric hospital: 2–8 weeks.
Metro Vancouver clinics
0 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Pediatric scans typically routed through tertiary pediatric centres (BC Children's Hospital) for specialized capability.

3D / 4D keepsake ultrasound

MSP: Not covered

Recreational fetal imaging — 3D/4D photos, gender reveal sessions.

Private-pay cost
$150–$400
Typical wait
Same-day to 1 week. Best timing: 26–32 weeks gestational age.
Metro Vancouver clinics
9 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Health Canada advisory: keepsake fetal ultrasound is non-medical and not a substitute for diagnostic obstetric scans. MSP does not pay for any keepsake ultrasound.

Ultrasound-guided biopsy

MSP: Covered

Image-guided needle biopsy using real-time sonographic localization.

Private-pay cost
$400–$800
Typical wait
Hospital: 2–6 weeks for non-urgent. Same-week for suspected malignancy.
Metro Vancouver clinics
0 clinics offer this

MSP detail: Specialist referral required. Performed at hospital-based imaging or specialty private clinics enrolled with MSP.

Where these facts come from

MSP coverage status, procedure codes, and §40 restrictions are derived from the BC Medical Services Commission Payment Schedule (last published May 31, 2026). Private-pay cost ranges reflect published rates at Metro Vancouver clinics in our directory. Wait-time ranges are observational based on direct verification with clinic reception. See our methodology for full source citations.

Want to find a clinic that offers a specific service? Run the 60-second Coverage Checker or browse the map.