Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost

• For patients covered by health insurance, costs typically consist of a doctor-visit copay, a lab copay and a prescription drug copay --totaling less than $100, depending on the insurance plan. If hospitalization is required, costs could include a hospital admission fee of $100 or more, as well as coinsurance of 10% to 50%, which could reach the out-of-pocket maximum. Urinary tract infection treatment is usually covered by health insurance.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, treatment for an uncomplicated urinary tract infection typically costs less than $300 for a doctor visit, urine culture, antibiotics and an analgesic for pain. For example, at CVS MinuteClinic, the exam fee for a UTI is $79 -$89, but a primary care physician might charge $100 or more. The fee for the urine culture typically adds about $30 -$45. The cost varies greatly depending on where a patient seeks treatment -- a clinic typically is the least expensive option, and treatment at a hospital emergency room can cost hundreds of dollars. For example, the Patient First Wellness Center in Las Vegas charges $60, not including antibiotics and medication, and the Monroe Street Medical Clinic in Washington state, charges $88. And, according to Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an urgent care center visit for a UTI costs about $90, while a visit to an emergency room for the same problem costs about $465.
• Antibiotics for a UTI typically range from less than $10 to $60 or more, depending on which antibiotic is prescribed and whether generic or name-brand is used. And an over-the-counter UTI analgesic costs about $10.
• However, for a severe infection in which the kidneys have become involved and hospitalization is required costs can reach $20,000 or more. For example, at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, NE, hospitalization for kidney and urinary tract infections can cost $5,700 -$21,400, depending on the severity of the infection and length of stay. And at Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis, a urinary tract/kidney infection costs about $13,600- $21,800.

• In order to diagnose a urinary tract infection, a doctor will need a mid-stream urine sample collected in a sterile container. Antibiotics commonly used to treat UTIs include: amoxicillin, doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Treatment usually lasts a week. The analgesic phenazopyridine, which can be purchased over-the counter, typically is recommended to be taken for one to two days, at the same time antibiotics are started, to relieve UTI pain. Common brand names are AZO and Uristat.
• The National Institutes of Health has an overview of urinary tract infections and treatment.
• A UTI can travel through the ureters and cause a kidney infection. If the infection is severe, and/or if the patient is vomiting or dehydrated, this might require hospitalization for several days, with antibiotics administered by IV. The Mayo Clinic offers information on kidney infections.

• Test strips available for about $10 a box at any drug store are about 90% effective at detecting a UTI. A doctor will re-test in a lab to confirm the result.

• Planned Parenthood offers services on a sliding scale based on income. Or, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics that provide discounted care on a sliding scale.
• Both Target and Walmart offer $4 prescription programs for generic drugs, and both include antibiotics commonly prescribed for UTIs.
• AZO, which manufactures UTI urine test strips and over-the-counter UTI pain medication containing phenazopyridine, offers a $1 off online coupon.
• If hospitalization is required, hospitals often offer discounts of up to 40%or more for uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children offers a discount of 40% for uninsured patients if full payment is made within 30 days.

• A primary care physician, gynecologist, or a doctor at a clinic or urgent care center, can provide diagnosis, treatment or possible referral for a urinary tract infection. FindUrgentCare.com offers an urgent care center locator by zip code.
• The Mayo Clinic offers a guide to preparing for a doctor's appointment for a kidney infection.

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