 | With Health Insurance: $0-$30 or 10%-50% Coinsurance |
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 | Without Health Insurance: $8-$150+ |
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| Blood tests can measure cells, lipids, proteins, sugars, hormones, tumor markers and other blood components. They are used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and conditions, including diabetes, pregnancy, high cholesterol, thyroid disease and cancer. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for a blood test typically consist of a copay ranging from nothing to $30 or more, or coinsurance of 10-50% or more. Blood tests often are covered by health insurance for preventive, diagnostic or treatment purposes, but coverage depends on the individual case and the plan.
- For patients not covered by health insurance, a blood test typically costs: less than $10 -$45 or more for a complete blood count (CBC) test, less than $10 -$40 or more for a blood glucose test, $20 -$75 or more for a lipid panel, $20 -$40 or more for a pregnancy blood test, and $25 -$150 or more for various cancer blood tests.
- For example, for a CBC test, Express Lab in Idaho charges $8, Health Testing Centers, with locations nationwide, charges $39 and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in New Hampshire, charges $43. For a blood glucose test, Express Lab charges $9, Dartmouth-Hitchcock charges $24 and Health Testing Centers charges $39.
- For a lipid panel, Express Lab charges $20, Health Testing Centers charges $39 and Dartmouth-Hitchcock charges $76. For a pregnancy blood test, Express Lab charges $20 and Health testing Centers charges $49.
- And for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer, Express Lab charges $25 and Dartmouth-Hitchcock charges $59, while Health Testing Centers charges $79 for an antigen test for ovarian cancer and $129 for an antigen test for breast cancer.
What should be included: | - Before any blood test, the patient typically will be given instructions to follow, such as fasting for a certain number of hours. The medical provider then draws blood and sends it to a laboratory for analysis. Results usually are provided to the patient and/or their doctor within a few days to a week.
- A complete blood count (CBC) test, which often is part of a routine physical, tests red and white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin and other components of the blood. Abnormalities in the CBC can signal anemia, cancer, infection, immune problems or other disorders. MedicineNet.com offers an overview of the CBC.
- A blood glucose test checks the amount of glucose -- a type of sugar -- in the blood. It typically is used to diagnose or monitor diabetes, or test for hypoglycemia -- very low blood sugar. WebMD has an overview of the glucose test.
- A lipid panel test checks cholesterol and other fats in the blood. It typically checks levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol," high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also referred to as "good cholesterol," and Triglycerides. WebMD has an overview of the lipid panel.
- A pregnancy blood test checks for the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG. It can typically detect pregnancy within a week to 12 days of conception. AmericanPregnancy.org offers a guide to pregnancy tests.
- Various blood tests are used to diagnose and monitor treatment of cancer. These tests typically cannot definitively answer whether a patient has cancer, but can check for certain tumor markers, which might be present in a patient without cancer but might be elevated in a patient with cancer. One such test is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test commonly used in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. The Mayo Clinic has information about cancer blood tests.
Additional costs: | - Depending on the results of the blood test, a doctor might recommend additional blood testing.
Discounts: | - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics that provide discounts on an income-based sliding scale.
Shopping for blood tests: | - Blood tests can be done at the office of a primary care provider, specialist or a clinic -- or in a hospital. WebMD offers a doctor locator by zip code.
- For patients who want anonymity or do not wish to go through a doctor, companies such as LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics and Health Testing Centers offer laboratory testing direct to patients. However, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor for any health concerns.
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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.
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Article updated June 2011 |
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