TRICARE has clarified the maternity ultrasound benefit by identifying that fetal ultrasounds are covered when medically necessary. Some situations where medically necessary ultrasounds are provided include, but are not limited to, estimating gestational age, evaluation of fetal growth and biophysical evaluation of fetal wellbeing. The procedure can also be used to evaluate suspected ectopic pregnancies, diagnosing and evaluating suspected multiple births, confirmation of cardiac activity and evaluation of a fetus’ condition for late registrants for prenatal care.

Per American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, ultrasonography should be performed only when there is a valid medical indication. A physician is not obligated to perform ultrasonography on a patient who is a low risk and has no medical indications.