Bloodwork costs can vary depending on the type of test conducted and where you’re getting the bloodwork done.
You may have to submit to blood work testing for an illness diagnosis or to keep up with your physical health. But if you don’t have insurance, you may worry about what it might cost when you need to get bloodwork done.
Below is all the information you need to know more about the cost of bloodwork, with and without insurance. We also delve into the common types of blood work tests, where you can get them done, and how you can reduce the costs of bloodwork without insurance.
What Does Blood Work Cost Without Insurance?
Blood work is a crucial test to get done because it can determine if there is a medical issue in your body. However, blood tests can be expensive without insurance. They can cost up to to a few thousand depending on how many different blood tests you need done.
The cost also depends on factors such as how frequently you get blood work done, where you get your blood work done, and the types of blood tests you get.
What Does Blood Work Cost With Insurance?
Depending on your insurance policy, your insurer could cover all the costs of blood work testing, costing you nothing. Or your insurance provider might only cover a certain percentage of the cost.
If your insurer covers a portion of your blood work costs, you will be liable for the rest. A co-pay will result when your healthcare provider is not located in your insurance provider’s network. In the case of co-payment, you should only end up paying up to $100 in most cases.
Types Of Blood Work You Can Get Done
Below are some of the most common blood work tests you can expect to get done. We also provide a price estimate of the amount you can expect to pay when getting each type of test done at a medical care facility.
Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count test measures your body’s red and white blood cells and platelets. This test evaluates your overall health, so doctors recommend doing a complete blood count test once annually.
If your results show a higher or lower blood count than usual, it can indicate cancer, inflammation, or infection. Changes in platelet levels can indicate a serious medical condition or excessive bleeding.
When testing the red blood cells in your body, the complete blood test will measure two components: hemoglobin and hematocrit. Low levels of these components can indicate anemia.
This test can also determine if you have viral or bacterial infections.
A complete blood count test can cost up to $620.
Basic Metabolic Panel
A basic metabolic panel also referred to as a BMP, measures eight substances in your blood that involve metabolism and chemical balances. These substances are:
- Glucose
- Calcium
- Blood urea nitrogen
- Creatine
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Bicarbonate
A BMP will check your bodily functions and processes, namely your kidney function, electrolyte and fluid balance, blood sugar, and metabolism.
If the results of a BMP are abnormal, it could indicate serious health issues, such as kidney failure and diabetes.
It is often done as part of routine testing, and you may be required to fast before this bloodwork test.
The cost of this test can vary between a hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A comprehensive metabolic panel is an extensive version of the basic metabolic panel. It measures all the components of the BMP, along with a few others. The other components are the following:
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Alanine transaminase (APT)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (APT)
- Bilirubin
- Albumin
- Total protein
If your CMP result is abnormal, it could indicate liver disease, kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes.
This test is mainly conducted when analyzing liver function to see if it’s performing as it should or if it is inflamed or infected.
You can expect to pay around the same price as the BMP (up to $1310).
Hemoglobin A1C
The Hemoglobin A1C blood work test checks your blood sugar levels over a few months to determine diabetes or pre-diabetes. You can also use this test to monitor the diagnosis of a pre-existing diabetes condition.
Pre-diabetes means that you’re at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
The hemoglobin A1C test measures the sugar-coated hemoglobin attached to your red blood cells. However, various factors may present inaccurate results. These factors can include but are not limited to blood loss, pregnancy, liver disease, or anemia. So, you may have to endure more blood work testing for more accurate results.
The percentage of the hemoglobin A1C test will aid in the diagnosis of diabetes. A normal A1C result will reflect 5.7% or lower. A pre-diabetes A1C result is between 5.7% and 6.4%, and a diabetes A1C result will reflect 6.5% or higher.
You can expect to pay up to $650 for a hemoglobin A1C blood work test.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel measures your body’s fat substances including your cholesterol, triglycerides, and the amount of bad and good cholesterol in your body.
The test monitors your risk for cardiovascular disease, and you may need to have this test done often depending on your age or if you have risky levels of fat buildup.
A lipid panel can also determine other medical conditions, such as pancreatitis and hypothyroidism.
The estimated cost of a liquid panel can reach $850.
Nutrient Level Tests
The nutrient panel checks the levels of your macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Micronutrients are vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.
The nutrient panel will determine if you have any nutrient deficiencies. It measures the levels of vitamins such as A, B12, and C, as well as folate, selenium, zinc, and more.
If your nutrient panel concludes that you have a macro or micronutrient deficiency, you may have to take supplements to increase your nutrient levels. You will also have to endure regular checkups with your healthcare provider.
You can expect to pay up to $300 for a nutrient panel.
Sexually Transmitted Infection or Disease Test
You will need to get bloodwork done if you’re at risk for developing a sexually transmitted infection(STI) or disease (STD) from unprotected sex.
Blood work can help determine if you have HIV or AIDS, and syphilis, amongst other STIs and STDs.
A comprehensive sexually transmitted infection or disease blood work test will cost up to $350.
Thyroid Panel
A thyroid-stimulating hormone panel (also referred to as a TSH) monitors how your thyroid gland functions. To be more specific, it measures the amount of thyroid and thyroid-stimulating hormones in your body.
The thyroid panel will determine if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism happens when you have an overactive thyroid gland, which results in a rapid heartbeat and increased metabolism.
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid is underperforming, which produces different effects in children and adults. Children will experience slow growth and mental development, and adults will experience changes in their metabolism.
This test could cost you up to $500.
Where Can You Get Blood Work Done?
If you need blood work done, there are several different facility options you can choose from. Here are the four main places you can get blood work done:
Your Doctor’s Office
Your local doctor may offer blood tests, but be mindful that you will have to pay a consultation fee and the cost of the blood work itself.
However, going to your local doctor when you need blood work is beneficial because they know your medical history.
Hospitals Or Urgent Care Facilities
Getting blood work done at a hospital is the most expensive option. We recommend you look for other affordable options if it’s not an emergency.
Urgent care facilities are much cheaper than hospitals, but you may pay more if your results are sent to another facility.
Laboratory Facilities
Popular laboratory facilities that solely do blood work testing are Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp.
Laboratory facilities are a fantastic affordable option when needing blood work done as you’re only paying for the lab tests. There are no other fees associated with the cost of the blood work.
At-Home Blood Work Tests
At-home blood work tests allow you to order testing kits online and test your blood in the comfort of your home.
It is one of the more affordable blood work test options and it’s convenient and fast. Your results take up to 48 hours to arrive.
With at-home blood work tests, all you need to do is prick your finger and send your sample back to the supplier. You also don’t need a doctor’s referral to receive an at-home test.
How To Reduce The Cost Of Getting Bloodwork Done Without Insurance
If you need to get blood work done and don’t have insurance, here are some tips for reducing the costs:
- Visit a free or subsidized clinic. Be sure to research where these clinics are, and in the case of a subsidized clinic, you will be charged a low fee for the blood work you get done.
- Make an upfront payment when getting bloodwork done. Making an upfront payment can reduce costs because, in most cases, you can negotiate a discount.
- Order discounted blood work tests online. Ordering blood work tests online is often much cheaper than going to a healthcare provider. But if there are abnormalities in your results, you will have to see a medical professional.
Conclusion
Now that you know the various types of blood work tests and what they might cost, you can see that they can be pricey – especially if you plan on going for routine testing.
Without insurance, you might be paying thousands of dollars for a test an insurance policy could have you covered. And even with our strategies to reduce the cost of bloodwork tests without insurance, it may not be a long-term solution.
Here at Enhance Health, we strive to make the payment process easier with our insurance plans. Even if you have a low or no income, we can find an insurance solution that works for you and your family. Contact us today for more information regarding our policies!
