A system and method for biasing a capacitive ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) device with a circuit that includes a CMUT that includes a first plate and a second plate that form a membrane structure; a circuit voltage source at a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible voltage; a bias voltage source that applies a bias voltage greater than a CMOS compatible voltage and is applied to the first plate; and readout electronics with an input connected on the second plate side of the circuit.