Cost of an Abdominal Ultrasound - Just Menong

After undergoing breast cancer treatment for more than 2 years, in mid-2022 the oncological surgeon who was treating my mother recommended an abdominal ultrasound or abdomen ultrasound. How much does this abdominal ultrasound cost? Let's check out the notes as we go through the process!

Cancer Treatment Journey

Alhamdulillah, as we approach the third year, Mother can still engage in her usual activities just like before the cancer diagnosis came into our lives. Three different hospitals have become our companions since the beginning of 2020. The biopsy operation was performed at RS Hermina Arcamanik Bandung and the mastectomy at RSUD Ujungberung Bandung under the supervision of Dr. Richard Sumihar Hasudungan Lumban Tobing, Sp.B. 

Post-mastectomy, he immediately recommended that my mother undergo chemotherapy as soon as possible. Alhamdulillah, we found a path at RS Santosa Kopo handled by Dr. Yusuf Heryadi, SpB(K)onk. Chemotherapy was undergone by my mother in 6 cycles (1 package) which ended in August 2022. 

At the end of 2020, Dr. Yusuf suggested that my mother undergo an immunohistochemistry examination, which also yielded good results. Next, my mother was only required to have monthly check-ups to ensure her condition remained good. 

For more than 1.5 years, we have been doing monthly check-ups. Since Mother is in good health, can walk, and shows no signs of further complaints, the monthly check-ups are now given prescriptions directly without meeting the doctor in person.

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Abdomal Ultrasound and Chest X-ray 

Juli 2022, dokter menyarankan USG perut (abdomen) dan rontgen dada (thorax) menjadi pemeriksaan selanjutnya. Pemeriksaan ini untuk mengetahui apakah ada penyebaran kanker ke organ lain atau tidak. Setelah dokter memberikan surat pengantar, kami pun bergegas menuju bagian radiologi di lantai 1.

Dahulu pada saat pemulihan pasca mastektomi, Dr. Richard SHL. Tobing menjadwalkan rontgen dada dan USG perut untuk memastikan apakah sel kanker sudah menyebar ke paru-paru dan limpa atau tidak.

Dokter menyatakan pada umumnya, kanker payudara akan menyebar terlebih dahulu ke organ terdekat, yaitu paru-paru, dan berikutnya limpa, sebelum menyebar ke organ lain. 

Alhamdulillah, kedua hasil pemeriksaan bagus dan tidak ada tanda penyebaran. Dan kini, kami harus mengulang kembali proses tersebut.

Pemeriksaan ultrasonografi (USG) perut atau abdomen merupakan prosedur pencitraan yang dilakukan untuk mendiagnosis penyakit seperti batu empedu, batu ginjal, aneurisma aorta abdominalis, neoplasma hepar, dan karsinoma pankreas. Pemeriksaan ini memanfaatkan gelombang ultrasonik untuk menghasilkan gambaran organ-organ di dalam rongga abdomen tanpa bersifat invasif.

In July 2022, the doctor recommended an abdominal ultrasound and a chest X-ray as the next examinations. This examination is to determine whether there is any spread of cancer to other organs or not. After the doctor provided the referral letter, we hurried to the radiology department on the first floor.

Previously, during the recovery period after the mastectomy, Dr. Richard SHL. Tobing scheduled a chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound to determine whether the cancer cells had spread to the lungs and spleen or not. 

The doctor stated that in general, breast cancer will first spread to the nearest organs, namely the lungs and then the spleen, before spreading to other organs. Alhamdulillah, both test results are good and there are no signs of spread. And now, we have to repeat the process. 

Abdominal ultrasound (USG) is an imaging procedure performed to diagnose diseases such as gallstones, kidney stones, abdominal aortic aneurysm, liver neoplasms, and pancreatic carcinoma. This examination utilizes ultrasonic waves to produce images of the organs within the abdominal cavity non-invasively.

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The results of the abdominal ultrasound examination are used to diagnose diseases of the kidneys, gallbladder, liver, abdominal aorta, spleen, pancreas, and gastrointestinal organs. The abnormalities examined can include organ perforation, bleeding, inflammation, stones, or tumors. 

An X-ray itself is a procedure that uses radiation to take pictures of the inside of a person's body. Chest X-rays or thorax X-rays is used to diagnose health problems that cause symptoms in the chest area, such as lung and respiratory issues as well as heart disorders.

Examination Fee 

Administratively, the only required document is a referral letter from the surgical oncologist, Dr. dr. Yusuf Heryadi, SpB(K)onk, to the radiology department.

For outpatient visits, the cost of an abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray is 100% covered by BPJS, provided there is a one-month gap between the two examinations. If the abdominal ultrasound is performed on July 14th, the chest X-ray can only be done on August 14th.

Because we wanted to include the results of the abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray in the check-up on August 11, I decided to use BPJS for the ultrasound examination (because it's more expensive, this was on the advice of the radiology staff) and to pay out-of-pocket 200,000 for the chest X-ray.

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The cost certainly varies. Survey results (July 2024) for upper and lower abdominal ultrasound (whole abdomen) at RS Mitra Anugerah Lestari, Cimahi = Rp. 660,000; Prodia (application) = Rp. 776,000 (excluding VAT); Kimia Farma = Rp. 845,000; RS Santosa Kopo = Rp. 700,000; and RS Kasih Bunda Cimahi = Rp. 700,000.

Quoted from alodokter.com (not yet confirmed whether the whole abdomen or not), the cost of an abdominal ultrasound at RS Kebon Jati is Rp. 690,000, RSU Pindad Rp. 378,000, and RS Hermina Arcamanik Rp. 794,000. RSKB Halmahera Siaga Rp. 615,000 (Prices may change at any time, okay!)

During the recovery inpatient care after mastectomy at RSUD Ujungberung Bandung, of course, the costs we incurred for the abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray are already included in the hospital expenses covered by BPJS.

I myself have undergone an ultrasound examination of the upper and lower intra-abdominal organs, including the spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and RLQ (Right Lower Quadrant), when I was celebrating Eid in the emergency room a few years ago. Even though the coverage area is broader, the cost of this abdominal ultrasound is fully covered by BPJS, meaning it's free.

Requirements Before an Abdominal Ultrasound

A chest X-ray was done that same day because it didn't require any special conditions. The staff provided a schedule for the abdominal ultrasound because there are several requirements that must be met before the abdominal ultrasound.

The officer provided guidelines as a requirement for abdominal ultrasound, which is fasting for 8–12 hours before undergoing the abdominal ultrasound so that the organs inside the abdomen are clearly visible and not obstructed by solid objects. Menong's friend is allowed to drink only plain water. And refrain from urinating 1 hour before the examination.

Because the examination is conducted at 9 AM, Mother has been fasting since 11 or 12 PM.
Wear clothing that facilitates the ultrasound process. Pants with a zipper in the front will make it easier for the abdomen to be examined while keeping other private areas covered.

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Chest X-ray and abdominal Ultrasound

A chest X-ray was performed first. During the chest X-ray examination, my husband and I were not allowed to accompany Mother. Because special clothing must be worn, clothes are changed and jewelry must be removed as it can obscure the resulting image.

For the abdominal ultrasound examination, we had to wait a long time because the queue was quite long. This time I was allowed to accompany my mother during the examination. The mother is asked to lie on her back in the designated area and adjust her clothing for easy examination.

An abdominal ultrasound is performed similarly to a pregnancy ultrasound, but with a wider area. The technician applies clear ultrasound gel, which serves as a lubricant and clarifies the sound of the object being examined so that it can be captured by the ultrasound machine.

Abdominal Ultrasound and Chest X-ray Result 

The abdominal ultrasound results were printed immediately after the examination ended (only 5 minutes). The staff kindly gave a 'hint' that the liver condition was normal. Likewise, the X-ray results showed no signs of abnormalities.

The results of the abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray were officially obtained on the control day to avoid having to go back and forth to the hospital.

Alhamdulillah, we gave this result to Dr. Yusuf during the check-up in August. The doctor stated that Mother's condition is good and changed the check-up schedule to once every three months. That means we will return in November 2022.

After performing an abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray while also comparing the cost of abdominal ultrasounds at other hospitals, as usual, we extended the referral at the primary healthcare facility (faskes) 1 to register online at RS Santosa Kopo as soon as possible. However, strangely, the staff at the primary healthcare facility had difficulty registering my mother. Hmmm, what's going on?? Wait for our story, coming up next!