Ultrasounds no longer free?

When I was pregnant with DD (4 years ago) all of my us were free. I've just been reading up and it seems there are now charges for both NT & anatomy scans? Can anyone confirm? And if so, how much? I've found quite a large variation in the prices I've seen.

I can't remember which one I went to last time but I've just checked the websites of our 2 local ones and it looks like they both charge. It's not an issue, was just wondering about other people's experiences

Same thing happened to me, with DD 20 week was free but now horizon radiology has introduced a $30 fee this year. My 7 week scan with the same place was free. My 12 week scan at Hamilton radiology was $30. Now need to have a 32 week scan, will be interesting to see if free or charged.
This was a big topic of interest in our due in group, people were travelling across Auckland to places that were still free for 20 week avan, can't remember which one but could ask if you want.
In some places like tauranga there is an outfit that offers then free to csc holders.
It is a concern to me that the new fees will put some on low incomes off having 20 week scans, would be great if more places offered free services for csc holders

Hi, I had to pay $50 for each scan. Am having a growth scan next week, don't know if I have to pay or not as this one was requested by the physician. I get them done in Christchurch.
Was told by my MW that money goes towards paying for treatment and equipment that is needed for pregnant women that have issues during pregnancy/birth ( pregnant women that smoke/drink alcohol during pregnancy, etc. Not healthy women that may have other issues). It annoys me and I don't know if it is true or not but that's what I got told.

Thanks for your help ladies :)

Just looked up on horizons website, they charge for 12 and 20 week scans now. There is no other option for people around here and the average wage isn't high. If I'd opted to not have 20 week scan due to cost at Christmas time wouldn't have known placenta is low. This is horizons explanation for introducing the 20 week scan fee:
From 01 July 2013 Horizon Radiology will start charging a service fee of $25.00 for the first Anatomy Scan. We would prefer to continue providing a free service for Anatomy Scans, however due to ongoing price increases we have no choice but to introduce a service fee. Horizon Radiology has provided a free service for 12 years and has avoided a service fee but during this time there has only been small increases in revenue from the government which have not kept up with the rate of inflation and ever increasing business costs.

Pitter patter wrote: Just looked up on horizons website, they charge for 12 and 20 week scans now. There is no other option for people around here and the average wage isn't high. If I'd opted to not have 20 week scan due to cost at Christmas time wouldn't have known placenta is low. This is horizons explanation for introducing the 20 week scan fee: From 01 July 2013 Horizon Radiology will start charging a service fee of $25.00 for the first Anatomy Scan. We would prefer to continue providing a free service for Anatomy Scans, however due to ongoing price increases we have no choice but to introduce a service fee. Horizon Radiology has provided a free service for 12 years and has avoided a service fee but during this time there has only been small increases in revenue from the government which have not kept up with the rate of inflation and ever increasing business costs.

That seems odd- I just had my baby at the end of November and all scans were done for free through Horizon? All requested by my mw and I had a 6, 12 and 20 week, plus an extra growth scan later.

Pitter Patter is your 32wk growth scan for GEST? If so it should be free :)

Hey guys, maybe you scrapped in emmecat? I think horizon are just charging for 12 and 20 week not later scans so maybe those were before they started charging?
Fingers#2 32 week scan is to check placenta has moved up ok. I think it will be free. I don't want to sound like I was complaining, we were not far off spending big bucks on ivf, just a little worried the charges might put some low income earners off having anatomy scans meaning life threatening stuff like low placentas or babies with heart defects.