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Allergy Testing Cost

How Much Does Allergy Testing Cost?

low cost With Insurance: Copays Around $70
low cost Without Insurance: $200-$1,000 Depending on Number

Related Topics:

Allergy Shots

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Typical costs:
  • For a patient not covered by health insurance an allergy test typically costs $150 to $300 for a consultation with an allergist, plus $60 to $300 total ($3 to $5 per allergen) for the much more commonly used skin prick test, or $200 to $1,000 total ($10 to $20 per allergen) for a blood test known as a RAST test.
  • Allergy testing usually is covered by health insurance.
  • For patients covered by health insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs involve a copay for the doctor's visit. For example, this BlueChoice plan has a copay of $20 for a family doctor and $35 for a specialist. And this Aetna plan has a $35 copay for testing.
What should be included:
  • A skin test involves pricking or scratching the surface of the skin, usually on the back or forearm, and applying suspected allergens. Several suspected allergens usually are tested at once, and if redness or swelling forms at one or more of the sites -- usually within 20 minutes -- that confirms the allergy.
  • A blood test, usually done when the patient is taking medication that could interfere with a skin test or has a severe skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or has very dark skin, involves taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory.
  • The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has an overview of allergy testing.
Additional costs:
  • If testing reveals an allergy, allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, might be recommended. These can cost almost $4,000 for the first year without insurance, but get less expensive in subsequent years as fewer shots are needed. Treatment usually lasts three to five years.
Discounts:
  • Some doctors offer a discount for patients not using insurance who pay with cash or a credit card. Discounts can be as high as 35 percent.
Shopping for allergy testing:
  • It is important that allergy testing be done by a board-certified allergist because testing results can be affected by the skill level of the practitioner. Board-certified allergists have completed a three-year residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, followed by two to three years of study in allergy and immunology. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers an allergist locator by zip code. Or call their hotline, 1-800-842-7777 for a referral.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated January 2009
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Was expensive...
Amount: $700.00
Posted by: foodster in Palo Alto, CA.Posted: February 28th, 2009 12:02AM
Medical Center: Palo Alto Medical FoundationInsurance: Blue Cross
I'm pretty it cost me more like $700 when I got my allergy test in 2007. Maybe it cost more because I had a lot of tests? The thing that really sucked was that at that time, Blue Cross (in the very small print) said that there was an $800 maximum benefit each year for inoculations and vaccines, and they categorized allergy tests/shots as "vaccination". So, while the tests got covered, that pretty much ate up the entire benefit, so I ended up spending over $2,000 on shots that first year (first getting 3 shots a week, then 2, then 1 a week, then 1 every two weeks, etc., so lots of shots at first)
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Allergy test
Amount: $177.03
Posted by: Ally in Eugene, OR.Posted: July 17th, 2009 05:07PM
Medical Center: Oregon Allergy and Asthma Associates.Insurance: Blue Cross PPO
At first, when I saw the bill, I just can't believe the number. The consultations fee was 328.14, and allergy skin prick was 825. I pay 15% of the total fee, which is 177.03. I don't know why the fee can be so expensive and the price seems also higher than above. The doctor looked my skin, and asked some questions and asked nurse did skin prick test. Because of hive, my skin was very sensitive, so I showed a lot of reaction to many things. Finally, doctor asked me to do more blood test.

In generally, I don't think doctor did not give me any treatment and useful suggestion. Her work was not worth that money.
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Allergy Blood Test
Amount: $1,007.00
Posted by: ne in Dallas, TX.Posted: August 24th, 2009 02:08PM
Medical Center: Quest DiagnosticsInsurance: Blue Cross
I just received the bill from Quest for what I thought was a simple blood test for allergies - the bill is $1007 - my out of pocket is $180. I am extremely upset with my doctor\'s office for not warning how expensive this test was. Also, the test found nothing although I was in the doctors office with eyes nearly swollen shut from allergies. What a waste of money!!
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Allergy Testing
Amount: $2,538.84
Posted by: KPeters in Pembroke Pines, FL.Posted: September 4th, 2009 08:09AM
Medical Center: Quest DiagnosticsInsurance: BCBS of NJ
My daughter received a perscription for allergy testing from her pediatric pulmonologist due to her frequest asthma attacks, runny nose, skin allergies, etc. Quest drew a few tubes of blood and charged $2,538.84. Insurance paid only $294.25. They gave an additional 'insurance discount' of $1,406.47 and I am being charged $838.12. I was not warned of the cost of the testing.
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Allergy Scratch Test
Amount: $2,759.74
Posted by: Screwed in Burlington, MA.Posted: December 29th, 2009 10:12AM
Medical Center: Lahey ClinicInsurance: Blue Care Elect PPO
before insurane:2,759.74 =(2,654.00+105.74)

after my 25 dollar co-pay and blue cross covering there 80%, I was hit with two seperate bills from Lahey. One for 80.74 and one for 341.49. being covered by repudable insurance I assumed I would be spared insanley overinflated charges.
Above states 3-5 dollars per allergen, I paid 64 each. Plus over 500 dollars in consult and \"facilities\" fees. I also was not warned.
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alllergy testing for pets
Amount: $750.00
Posted by: RDH in Hinsdale, IL in Downers Grove, IL.Posted: March 31st, 2010 05:03AM
Medical Center: veterinary dermatologistInsurance: none
My dog (with allergies) just had intradermal testing(70 items), including sedation,hospital stay and start-up kit for allergy shots for about $750.00. I don't have insurance, so I paid out of pocket, but it sounds like a much better 'deal' than people get for themselves.
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allergy scratch test
Amount: $1,650.00
Posted by: Me1213 in COLUMBUS, OH.Posted: June 13th, 2010 08:06PM
Medical Center: OSU FAMILY PRACTICEInsurance: atena
I got a simple skin prick test 66 units. I have been told that normal cost per unit is $6 - $9. And after this whole test the doctor said I had no allergys even though I had hives IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE. makes no sense
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PERCUT ALLERGY SKIN TEST
Amount: $469.00
Posted by: stolitsa@gmail.com in Sacramento, CA.Posted: September 8th, 2010 03:09PM
Medical Center: Mercy HospitalInsurance: Anthem
I've got 79 skin perks with a food samples.
Was billed for 469$...this is a final price that insurance approved.The initial bill submitted was 515$....
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Allergy Blood Test
Amount: $785.00
Posted by: a user in Walnut Creek, CA.Posted: October 7th, 2010 08:10PM
Medical Center: John Muir HealthInsurance: Blue Shield Vital
I went to the doctor with a skin allergy and he recommended that I take a blood sample for "allergy profile". He didn't mention that the lab cost for this is $785. The test came back inconclusive and John Muir refuses to explain why the the test costs so much. The test was not covered under my Blue Shield plan.
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Allergy test
Amount: $512.00
Posted by: Barbara Nelson in Alexandria, VA.Posted: January 27th, 2011 12:01PM
Medical Center: Howard Boltansky, MDInsurance: BC/BS
I thought the cost of this allergy test was expensive, especially since BCBS said it should have cost $4.90! Then I looked at your web and reconsidered. BCBS should be ashamed of their estimate in cost! My MD doesn't participate in BCBS.
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Allergy Bloodwork Test
Amount: $933.00
Posted by: zoe4196 in Gettysburg, PA.Posted: March 24th, 2011 08:03PM
Medical Center: WellSpanInsurance: BCBS Highmark
My daughter seemed to have allergic reaction to something and we were told to take her for bloodwork right away. I had no idea that this would cost so much. Because our insurance has such a high deductible and is just plain crappy insurance our portion is $527! I can't believe that no one tells you this upfront!
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Totally Unexpected
Amount: $2,300.00
Posted by: Liping in Cleveland, OH.Posted: May 30th, 2011 04:05PM
Medical Center: Cleveland Clinic FoundationInsurance: Summa
I thought this should be done in the range of $300. I just received the report from the insurance: CCF charged in total $2300 for a simple skin test of about 40 allergens commonly seen in OH. There is no blood and the patient is 12 years old. The insurance allowed $1600, out of which about $700 goes to my deductible and co-insurance.
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Cleveland Clinic is ridiculous
Amount: $3,550.00
Posted by: Liping in Cleveland, OH.Posted: August 11th, 2011 12:08PM
Medical Center: CCF Main CampusInsurance: Summa
I was wrong; $2300 was allowed by insurance and I have to pay the rest. The total charge include $2985 for allergy testing (regular skin test of 40 allergens commonly seen in OH), $483 for office visit, and $65 for office visit (same description but a different code).
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Allergy Blood Test
Amount: $1,153.00
Posted by: milspa in Frisco, TX.Posted: December 31st, 2011 09:12AM
Medical Center: Quest DiagnosticsInsurance: Aetna
The cost for doing an allergy blood test is ridiculously high. A couple of vials of blood were taken and sent off. I paid the doctor's office $45. The bill from Quest showed $1,153 total, Insurance discount of $814, Insurance paid 42.23, and I'm left with paying $296.20. Blood tests came back negative, so I started keeping a daily journal of pollen counts in my area, time hay fever symptoms started, severity, and any other possibles causes. I was able to figure out what was causing my hay fever. Believe it or not but it was the liquid dairy creamer I put into my coffee every morning.
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Allergy Skin Test
Amount: $3,900.00
Posted by: GibbyHayes in Cleveland, OH.Posted: January 14th, 2012 07:01AM
Medical Center: Cleveland ClinicInsurance:
I had about 20 or 30 common NE Ohio allergens tested on my back with the typical skin pricks and found that the Clinic billed my insurance $3900! The Cleveland Clinic is the worst. The reason we have a problem with health care in this country is not b/c of insurance companies, it\'s b/c of insurance providers and their rip-offs. The Cleveland Clinic is a rip-off factory. They way overcharge for everything they do.
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Allergy shots and refill cost for 1 year
Amount: $25.00
Posted by: L Capote in Charlotte, NC.Posted: February 3rd, 2012 02:02PM
Medical Center: Asthma and allergyInsurance: SelfPay-NO Insurance
I have been getting shots since Nov 21. I have to go in twice a week. Each visit is $25 each for allergy shots(one shot on each arm per visit)refill for the vial is $200 (refills last 3-6 months). There schedule for build up process takes approximately 10 months. For the first 6 weeks 2 times per weeks, 1 time per week for 6 months, every 2 weeks for next 3 visits, then every 3 weeks for the next 2 visits, then after that it will only be once a month.
The maintenance dosage would be given once a month for the next 3-5 years. So it's cost alot without insurance. So figure $25 per visit and maybe 3-4 refills within the first year.
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Allergy blood test
Amount: $15.00
Posted by: rogerSmith in Chicago, IL.Posted: March 11th, 2012 11:03AM
Medical Center: QuestInsurance: blue cross and blue shield
It is 100% covered by blue cross and blue shield and you will only have to pay your coinsurance which for me was $15.
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Allergy testing cost
Amount: $4,682.00
Posted by: Jennifer T in Cleveland, OH.Posted: April 25th, 2012 06:04PM
Medical Center: Cleveland clincInsurance:
I went in for the normal allgery testing.. They did the skin tests on the back. And some on the arm. I paid $35.00 for my co-payment. A month later I receive a bill- statement total cost $4682.00 insurance paid $3591.82.... I owe $1090.18... WTF I didn't have any blood tests or anything like that. How can they be allowed to charge that much?
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