Your Questions Answered

A Level 2 ultrasound — sometimes called a targeted anatomy scan or a detailed fetal anatomy survey — is a more thorough and specialized form of prenatal imaging than the standard ultrasound offered at most OB appointments. It is performed by a trained sonographer and reviewed by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist or radiologist. The scan evaluates fetal anatomy in detail, assesses placental position and health, measures amniotic fluid, and examines the umbilical cord structure and blood flow using color Doppler technology.

This level of detail matters because some conditions — including certain umbilical cord abnormalities, placental irregularities, and fetal growth concerns — are not reliably detected on standard ultrasound. Early identification gives your care team the opportunity to monitor your pregnancy more closely and take appropriate steps. It is about having the information that allows for informed, proactive care.

Any pregnant person who meets our general eligibility criteria is welcome to apply. We look for applicants who are low-income (at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level), uninsured or underinsured, facing geographic barriers to specialized imaging, or whose pregnancy has been identified as higher risk by their prenatal care provider. Gestational age between 14 and 24 weeks is generally preferred, though we evaluate each application individually. We do not require Kentucky residency, though our initial focus is on serving families in central and eastern Kentucky.

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Colter's Watch reviews each application carefully based on financial need, insurance status, geographic access, and clinical context. We fund grants based on available resources, and in cases where demand exceeds our current capacity, we prioritize those with the greatest need and most limited access to alternatives. We will always communicate our decision clearly and, if we are unable to fund your request at this time, we will do our best to connect you with other resources.

Our foundation was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and our initial grant program is primarily focused on serving families in Kentucky — particularly those in rural central and eastern parts of the state where access to specialized prenatal imaging is most limited. We do not have a strict residency requirement at this time, and we encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible to reach out. As our foundation grows, we hope to expand our geographic reach.

No. Grant funds are never paid directly to applicants. Colter's Watch pays the imaging facility directly on your behalf, up to the approved grant amount. This approach ensures that funds are used specifically for the Level 2 ultrasound and protects both the applicant and the foundation. You will not be asked to pay anything out of pocket for the grant-covered portion of the scan, and you will not receive or be responsible for managing any grant funds yourself.

Yes, having insurance does not automatically disqualify you. Many insurance plans do not cover Level 2 ultrasounds, or they cover them only under specific conditions, with high deductibles, or only at in-network facilities that may not be accessible to you. If your insurance would not fully cover the cost of a Level 2 scan, or if you face significant out-of-pocket costs, please apply and explain your coverage situation. We consider the practical financial reality of your insurance, not just whether a plan technically exists.

Colter's Watch is a new foundation, and we are working diligently to build the infrastructure needed to process applications fairly and efficiently. We expect to open our grant application portal in the near future. The best way to stay informed is to follow us on Facebook or check back at ColtersWatch.org. If you have an urgent situation and cannot wait, please contact us directly at grants@colterswatch.org — we will do everything we can to help.

We will notify you by email at the address you provide in your application. Our typical review timeline is 5 to 7 business days from when we receive your completed application. If we approve your grant, we will reach out to confirm next steps and begin coordinating with the imaging facility. If we are unable to fund your request, we will communicate that as well and do our best to provide helpful guidance. Please check your spam or promotions folder if you are waiting to hear from us.

Our grants cover between $400 and $600 per approved applicant, paid directly to the imaging facility. This range reflects the typical cost of a Level 2 ultrasound with color Doppler imaging at facilities in our network. The exact amount depends on the facility's fee schedule. We will communicate the specific approved amount to you and the facility before the appointment is confirmed so there are no surprises.

Our grant is intended to cover the professional and facility fees associated with a Level 2 anatomy ultrasound including color Doppler imaging. This typically includes the sonographer's time, the radiologist or MFM physician's interpretation fee, and the facility charge for the imaging suite. It does not cover additional tests, consultations, follow-up appointments, or other prenatal care costs. We pay the facility directly and the scope of payment is clearly defined before your scan takes place.

If the total cost of the scan at your chosen facility exceeds the grant amount we approve, we will let you know before the appointment is confirmed. In some cases, we can work with the facility to negotiate a discounted rate. In others, we may suggest an alternative facility that falls within the grant amount. We will never schedule your scan and leave you surprised by an unexpected bill. Our goal is to make sure you have a clear picture of any remaining cost before you commit to the appointment.

Yes, we welcome your input on facility preference. If you have a hospital, clinic, or imaging center in mind, let us know in your application. We will do our best to work with that facility. The facility does not need to be an existing Colter's Watch partner — we can reach out and coordinate with new facilities on a case-by-case basis. If you do not have a preference or are not sure what is available near you, we can help identify an appropriate option.

Our current grant program is designed to fund one Level 2 anatomy ultrasound per pregnancy. We focus our resources on the initial detailed scan because it provides the most foundational information about fetal development and cord health. If a follow-up scan is recommended by your provider after the initial Colter's Watch-funded scan, we encourage you to discuss coverage options with your provider and insurance company. As our foundation grows, we hope to expand our capacity and consider additional needs.

When we receive and approve a grant application, we contact the applicant's preferred imaging facility — or a facility in our partner network — to schedule the Level 2 ultrasound and arrange direct payment. As a partner facility, you agree to accept Colter's Watch payment as payment in full for the scan (up to the approved grant amount), perform the Level 2 with color Doppler when clinically appropriate, and transmit results to the patient's prenatal care provider. The process is straightforward and designed to minimize administrative burden on your staff.

We pay partner facilities directly prior to or at the time of the scan, based on the agreed grant amount. Payment details — including method (check, ACH, or other arrangement) — are established during the onboarding process. We aim to make payment simple and timely. You will not need to bill the patient or chase payment after the fact. All financial arrangements are confirmed in writing before any appointment is scheduled through our program.

We use a simple, non-burdensome partnership agreement that outlines mutual expectations — primarily that your facility will accept our payment as payment in full for the covered scan and that you will provide the Level 2 service as agreed. There is no ongoing volume commitment or exclusivity requirement. You can participate at whatever level works for your practice. We believe partnership should be easy, and we keep the paperwork accordingly simple.

We would love to hear from you. Visit our Partner With Us page and submit an inquiry, or reach out directly at grants@colterswatch.org. A member of our team will follow up within 1 to 2 business days to discuss next steps, answer any questions you have, and share our partnership packet. Preferred partner facilities are listed on our website and may be recommended to applicants who do not have a facility preference — giving your practice meaningful visibility within our community.