Living without insurance means a lot of unplanned expenses – one of those being lab tests.
You could pay up to $1200 for lab tests without insurance. It depends on a few factors, including the type of test you need and your testing location.
Of course, when you’re insured, you will pay much less for lab tests because part of the cost gets covered, but what if you’re uninsured?
How much do lab tests cost without insurance? Let’s explore this question in detail below.
A Breakdown Of Lab Test Costs Without Insurance
Lab tests can cost up to $1139 per test. If you need more than one test, you could be looking at a bill for thousands of dollars without insurance.
At a minimum, expect to pay around $108 for one type of test.
Here is a summary of the cost for different kinds of lab tests if you don’t have insurance:
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: up to 1139
- Basic Metabolic Panel: up to 1309
- Complete Blood Count: up to 622
- Lipid Panel: up to 843
- STD Testing: up to 350
- Urinalysis: up to 643
** Prices of the above with insurance: Free or much lower than stated above.
It is worth noting that the estimates above represent the fees for getting lab tests in an out-of-hospital setting. The cost may vary when you get your tests done at the hospital, as outlined below.
The Cost Of Lab Testing At The Hospital
Lab testing fees differ if you visit the hospital and need lab tests while admitted. The cost is still significantly higher if you don’t have insurance, though. You can expect to pay up to 179 per test.
Also, hospitals are generally thorough in their testing to determine what is causing the symptoms you’re experiencing. You can therefore expect to get more than one test. Each test will cost a different amount.
If you have insurance, your insurance should cover all or a significant portion of these costs. However, if you’re uninsured, you’ll need to cover all the expenses out-of-pocket.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a few types of lab tests at the hospital without insurance coverage:
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: $108
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: $179
- Complete Blood Count: $51
- Lipid Panel: $68
- HIV Testing: $92
- Urinalysis: $92
** Prices of the above with insurance: Free or much lower than stated above.
You’ll notice that the price points are lower than out-of-hospital testing. But don’t let this fool you into thinking it’s cheaper to investigate your illness in the hospital when you’re paying entirely out-of-pocket.
There are other costs associated with having lab tests done at the hospital. In addition to the cumulative fees for different tests, you may have to pay the doctors, nurses, and a bed fee. If you stay in the hospital overnight, the costs increase.
It’s generally safer to be insured. You can get health insurance to match your financial needs through Enhance Health. There are lower deductibles and lower copayments insurance options to ensure your insurance serves your needs and gives you access to the basic healthcare you deserve.
What Do Lab Tests Cost If I Am Insured?
Lab test costs significantly reduce when you’re insured. These reduced costs apply if you’re using private insurance, Medicare, or Obamacare:
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: $24
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: $15
- Complete Blood Count: $11
- Lipid Panel: $19
- HIV Testing: $20
- Urinalysis: $5
As you can see, insurance coverage makes lab test costs more manageable.
However, it’s important to know that when you’re using private health insurance, Medicare, or Obamacare, elective lab testing likely won’t be covered. This means if your test isn’t medically necessary, you will have to pay the full cost out-of-pocket. You can only expect to pay the prices above when your testing is medically necessary.
You should also know that when you’re using private insurance, these prices vary depending on your co-pay, whether you’ve met your deductibles for the year, and whether your provider covers these tests.
Each private insurance covers slightly different tests and procedures. This is why reading the fine print before signing on as a private insurance client is essential.
Common Lab Tests
There are five common lab tests that your healthcare provider might refer you to have done. Here’s some information about them, including their average costs. These are the out-of-pocket costs for uninsured patients.
Complete Blood Count
Cost: up to $622
A CBC test measures your hemoglobin, white blood cells, red blood cells, hematocrit, and plasma. This test is done if there’s a concern about your overall health, the chronic medications you’re taking, or a potential infection.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Cost: up to $1139
This test assesses how well your thyroid is working. It measures the presence of the thyroid hormone in your body, called the thyroid stimulating hormone. It’s usually done if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Basic Metabolic Panel
Cost: up to $1309
Basic metabolic panels are usually performed during routine visits or annual check-ups. It tests for glucose levels, electrolyte balance, and kidney function. To test these, the basic metabolic panel includes 8 mini-tests for specific nutrients and mineral levels in your body. These include:
- Glucose
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Bicarbonate
- Chloride
- Creatinine
- Blood urea nitrogen
Lipid Panel
Cost: up to $843.
This tests your cholesterol levels. It tests good (LDL) and bad (HDL) cholesterol levels.
Urinalysis
Cost: up to $643.
This is a urine test that can detect several illnesses, including kidney diseases, UTIs, and diabetes. The test is often done during pregnancy or a general check-up.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing
Cost: up to $350
STD tests are another very common lab test. An STD panel tests for multiple different sexually-transmitted diseases. These include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis, and HIV.
How To Save Money On Lab Tests
Insurance is the best way to save money on lab tests. The bottom line is lab tests can reach unaffordable prices without insurance.
Individual tests might be cheaper in a hospital setting. But if you consider the associated costs, it could cost more than having the tests done in an outpatient setting in the long run.
If you need immediate care at reduced rates, a free or subsidized clinic will be one of your best resources. Low-cost tests can be accessed at community clinics. There are around 27.5 million uninsured Americans, many of whom make use of this option.
Also, you can shop around and ask about the pricing offered by a few private clinics. Pick the clinic that offers the lowest pricing after doing your homework.
Talk to your doctor when referred for blood tests. Let them know you’re uninsured and looking for the most affordable option. Doctors work hand-in-hand with communities and generally know about the affordable options in the area.
Lastly, make sure it’s essential that you need lab tests. In some cases, such as when testing for diabetes, a series of finger prick tests will suffice.
Conclusion
Like most medical procedures, lab tests can be expensive. And the costs can really add up if you don’t have insurance to cover the financial burden.
If you’re looking for an affordable health insurance plan to cover the costs of blood tests and more, contact us.
Enhance Health will recommend affordable insurance based on your specific needs and income, starting from as little as $0 per month. Get in touch today to access a range of low-cost options.
