| |
|
 |  | With Insurance: Copays Around $70 |  | Without Insurance: $200-$1,000 Depending on Number |
|
|
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[1] has a $35 copay for testing.
Related articles: Allergy Shots
|
|
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[2] 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[3] 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.
|
|
|
|
CostHelper News
| 
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
| | 
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 2 of 2 - << Previous 1 2
|
| Posted by: Jimbob216 in Cleveland, OH. | Posted: September 5th, 2023 01:09PM |
| Medical Center: Cleveland Clinic | Insurance: BCBS |
Went in thinking this would be around $350 after getting it estimated through my insurance. Turns out it was a lot more than that. Simple test and get an outrageous bill. Guess they bill everyone inflated charges since it’s billed as outpatients. CPT code 95004 |
|
|
| Posted by: User in Gainesville, FL in Gainesville, FL. | Posted: May 29th, 2023 12:05PM |
| Medical Center: UFHealth | Insurance: United Healthcare |
Pediatrician referred us to allergy skin test since our child had a few allergic reactions (hives, rashes) after eating certain artificial flavored/colored food items. We agree to get the appointment. During the visit we spend little time with nurse then waited for doctor consult before getting the skin test on the arms (total of 20 allergenic extracts tested on arms) after 20 mins waiting for results test was completed. The appt took maybe 45 mins or less...but most of time was us waiting for test rxn and after consult. We have a HDP and as such try to be careful of potential health cost. The bill was a whopping $916 and only $247 was covered by insurance, yep, ridiculous price, the charges were definitely not a fair market value for the # of pricks our child got, the consult was rated long, but DR only spend 15 mins tops, as the rest of time was spent with nurses doing the test & waiting for result. Trying to get settlement. University should consider community they serve. |
|
|
| Posted by: Alex T in Burlington, MA. | Posted: March 13th, 2023 03:03PM |
| Medical Center: Lahey Allergy & immunology | Insurance: Aetna Consumer Choice |
General skin test and intradermal for those I was negative on - probably about 35 skin pricks and 6 intradermals. I was not told about the cost of any of this. and got charged both for hospital services and physician services? This is absolutely absurd. They told me to basically use a netty pot and take claritin. Or to get allergy shots I have to go in once a week for 6 months and once a month for 3-5 years. And pay for each visit. Absolute scam. |
|
|
| Posted by: D’s mom in Crown Point, IN. | Posted: August 1st, 2022 03:08PM |
| Medical Center: Allergy & Asthma Specialists | Insurance: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield |
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left. We waited over an hour past our appointment time to see the doctor, but once we were in the room, we were in and out within 25 to 30 minutes. Insurance was billed $1082 of which $572 is our portion. Insurance did not pay anything because we have to meet our out-of-pocket deductible. I don’t even consider it insurance anymore. It’s a discount program. Something needs to be done about healthcare in this country. In addition, the Epi-pen by Mylan was an additional $300 at Walgreens. How is it that people who choose to shoot up heroin can have access to Narcan for free, but my nine-year-old who does not choose to have food allergies has to spend $872 in one day for his treatment? |
|
|
| Posted by: Stephie in Cleveland, OH. | Posted: March 11th, 2022 07:03PM |
| Medical Center: Cleveland clinic | Insurance: Anthem |
billed charges from the cleveland clinic was $5,000. Allowed charges (after insurance discount) was $1,500, all of which was subject to my deductible. |
|
|
| Posted by: a user in Gainsville, FL. | Posted: July 23rd, 2019 04:07AM |
| Medical Center: FL. Medical & Allergy Center LLC | Insurance: United Health Care |
My daughter had breakout right before mission trip. So I sent her to an allergist to test. It cost me an arm and legs after the insurance cost. The insurance company did not pay anything for the test because we have to pay the deductible first. Now I am hooked on the allergy test bill of $961.86. After we paid thousands of the insurance, we still have to pay the deductible and the doctor visits and test. If I could, I rather not have the insurance and pay everything in cash. |
|
|
| Posted by: Megan Mom in Encinitas, CA. | Posted: December 21st, 2018 02:12PM |
| Medical Center: Rady Childrens | Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO |
One visit, one skin testing on back. Charged insurance $778 for doctor consult and $276 for skin test. I'm on the hook for $592 of that. We weren't even there for 20 minutes.
We need medicare for all. Insurance is ripping us all off for their own profits. |
|
|
| Posted by: C. S. in Orland Park, IL. | Posted: August 22nd, 2018 01:08PM |
| Medical Center: 1986.00 | Insurance: 1112.34 |
Two thousand dollars for one allergy blood test seems way too high to me.
I'm stuck paying almost $900.00 out of pocket for this one test.
I asked for a detailed bill from the hospital, and asked the doctor if the right bill code was used. I'm waiting to hear back. |
|
|
| Posted by: Kate_N in Weston, FL. | Posted: December 13th, 2016 02:12PM |
| Medical Center: Cleveland Clinic | Insurance: CIGNA PPO |
I did a simple skin allergy test in Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. CPT codes were 95004 and 95024 - for environmental and food allergy testing. Cleveland Clinic charges me $5,073 for those two tests + $513.00 doctors consultation. CIGNA covered $4,320.00 and I'm left with a bill for $1,266.00. It turns out I don't have any allergies and now am stuck with this bill. How can I fight back? These prices are way above market. |
|
|
| Posted by: user1 in New York, NY. | Posted: November 7th, 2016 12:11PM |
| Medical Center: New York | Insurance: United Health Cheaters |
Went to a doctor for skin itch and examined.
Doctor did a bunch of tests, which is like ripping in front of your eyes, told to go for lab experiments and end result : no conclusion and also clueless
Amount for Doctor co pay and the lab tests $ 2,700
It is like stealing, just a bunch of fraud people eating and sucking human blood |
|
|
| Posted by: Nika in Clermont, FL. | Posted: September 20th, 2016 05:09PM |
| Medical Center: Private | Insurance: United Health |
I had the pricks i
On my arms. And three shot every week. When I looked at my claim it was almost 6,000.00 , I don't see it! I am pretty sure I have been ripped off. I just don't understand. Various people had their hands on the test, Lots of people had their " a piece of the pie"No wonder Insurance company premiums are so high. They are being ripped off by the doctors and other medical entity. |
|
|
| Posted by: a user in Houston, TX. | Posted: August 30th, 2016 10:08PM |
| Medical Center: Houston Center | Insurance: Aetna |
Aetna Insurance Co. is the worst insurance company in the nation. They just don't want to pay the providers. Don't blame the providers for over charging. |
|
|
| Posted by: a user in Cambridge, MA. | Posted: November 25th, 2015 10:11AM |
| Medical Center: Cambridge Health Alliance | Insurance: United Healthcare |
Billed $5,200 by Cambridge Health Alliance (allergy test) plus another for the doctor visit. Out of pocket I had to pay ~800. CHA doubles bills for doctor and then facility charge. When I called they said 5200 was the standard price in the area, probably BS. I thought maybe my insurance is crap and doesn't fully cover this. But I didn't think it would be that expensive. |
|
|
| Posted by: a user in Boston, MA. | Posted: November 9th, 2015 10:11AM |
| Medical Center: Boston Children's Hospital | Insurance: Cigna CareLink (Tufts) |
The billed amount was $624 for 16 units of allergy skin tests (CPT code 95004). Insurance reduced that to $578.51. Insurance had originally quoted us less than $6 per unit for this testing, but says that the maximum allowable in our area is $38 per unit. The hospital refuses to quote any prices ahead of time. |
|
|
| Posted by: Miri in HOUSTON, TX. | Posted: August 21st, 2015 07:08AM |
I don't know who is ripping you all off - I work for an allergist and even though it looks like we bill out a huge amount ($868 for 62 prick test) our reimbursement rate for allergy testing is not as high as you all are quoting - we get $375 for a 62 prick test from Blue Cross Blue Shield AND we are NOT allowed to bill our patients the difference. It looks like some offices are illegally billing the difference and pocketing it - I'm sorry this is happening because it is giving the real gem allergists out there a bad name... |
|
|
| Posted by: freshhurried in Los Gatos, CA. | Posted: July 17th, 2015 12:07PM |
| Medical Center: Samaritan Asthma & Allergy Ctr | Insurance: United Health |
I had the standard 40 allergens tested on my back this past april. The doctor also gave me ONE shot to help with whatever was making me sneeze so badly. 3 months later I received and EOB from my insurance, they received FOUR separate claims with dates spanning 2 weeks (I only visited the doctor ONCE) for a whoopin $14931... yes, it's not a mistake, 14K dollars for an allergy skin test, not even a blood test. After 'plan discounts' my insurance covered $3100 and now I'm on the hook for $2000. This has got to be insurance fraud... nothing less. $14K dollars for an allergy test and a shot?????? |
|
|
| Posted by: bmckim in Jersey City, NJ. | Posted: May 19th, 2015 06:05AM |
| Medical Center: Dermatology Affiliates | Insurance: Horizon BCBS |
Went in for a rash on my arm. Dr said I needed an allergy test. His nurse came in and applied 10 patches to my back , took about 3 minutes. Went back the next day the same nurse took the patches off took 2 minutes, said I have no allergies. Never even saw the Dr. Billed insurance $1600.00. of which they are saying I am liable for over $600.00. AND I still have the rash. |
|
|
| Posted by: H Kim in kitchener, ontario, Other. | Posted: December 15th, 2014 05:12PM |
I'm an allergist in Canada. I believe the quality of care here is higher than in the US. You are getting ripped off. I would gladly test American patients at a fraction of what you are paying. |
|
|
| Posted by: totally negitive and still have post nasal drip and cough (seasonal) in west palm beach, FL. | Posted: October 17th, 2014 11:10AM |
| Medical Center: allergy people of the palm beaches | Insurance: cigna |
a lot of money for the allergy testing. insurcance company should get this under control. seemed easy enough for anyone to do it. I looked up home kits, and yep they got some. maybe for only a few of the most common ones. you just dip it and poke it. if the skin around it turns blotchy after 20 minutes your allergic. if it just look looks like you stabbed yourself with a needle than your not. I am in the medical field and I was not impressed. I almost vomited on the counter when they said the price(after the test was done). |
|
|
| Posted by: Skeetmaster in Columbus, OH. | Posted: July 16th, 2014 06:07PM |
| Medical Center: OSU physicians | Insurance: HSA |
Scheduled a test with the center, but the refused to tell me how much it was going to cost since I was talking to people that schedule the test only. I was shocked when I got the bill, $1500.00 for test, the doctor to explain the results to me in 5 minutes only, and had to scoot to the next patient. |
|
|
| Posted by: Ima Sucker in burlington, NC. | Posted: May 30th, 2014 01:05PM |
| Medical Center: LeBauer | Insurance: BCBSNC |
I came in saying I suspected a food allergy, and they tested me for all kinds of environmental allergens too. Now I know it was just to rack up the bill. |
|
|
| Posted by: Ima Sucker in burlington, NC. | Posted: May 30th, 2014 01:05PM |
| Medical Center: LeBauer | Insurance: BCBSNC |
I came in saying I suspected a food allergy, and they tested me for all kinds of environmental allergens too. Now I know it was just to rack up the bill. |
|
|
| Posted by: Aaron B. in Salt Lake City, UT. | Posted: April 26th, 2014 09:04AM |
| Medical Center: Redwood Center (U of U Hospital( | Insurance: UnitedHealthcare StudentResources |
The clinic billed me for $2,000 for a poke test, which made me wonder just how much you can pay someone to grind up 4 mg of oat, grass, cat fur, etc. But then my insurance just sent me a letter notifying me for a claim of $5,030. My endoscopy didn't cost half that much. That can't be right. It's the only clinic my insurance would accept, and I had to go to another office visit for a referral beforehand. |
|
|
| Posted by: Lori Robbins in Mesa, AZ. | Posted: November 17th, 2013 01:11PM |
| Medical Center: Deseret Medical Center | Insurance: Humana HMO/Medicare |
I just got the info on my Humana Claim form for the tests that were run for allergies. Total $8,100 paid by my insurance company for 3 visits. One consultation, one prick test and another visit (?)that I didn't make an appt. for, and only had a phone conversation with the allergy specialist. She said they had the shots ready, but I didn't go back to get them. I can't give myself shots 3 times a week for a year!$8,100 ??? I have an appointment this coming week with my primary and ask that this be explained. Even my insurance company is being ripped off I do believe and it reflects my status as "high" risk. |
|
|
| Posted by: Testing the waters in Brockton, MA. | Posted: June 17th, 2013 08:06AM |
| Medical Center: Asthma & Allergy Test Center of Brockton | Insurance: Aetna |
The Allergy Center said it would be $700-1000 for the 32 prick test on both the upper arm & Forearm. Aetna told me that it should cost $11 per prick on forearm & $14 per prick on the upper arm. You do the math. I dont know if I'll take him yet but I wanted to do my homework first. |
|
|
| Posted by: Impossible to be good consumer of health care in Sunnyvale, CA. | Posted: April 11th, 2013 02:04PM |
| Medical Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation | Insurance: Blue Shield of Calif. PPO |
Son had a 45 minute appt. with allergist Dr. Michael Mulligan who recommended a pin prick test. Got bill for a total of $1181.00! Was floored by this cost. (By comparison, we recently paid $565 for an MRI for my husband.) Applied to Blue Shield deductible (we have high deductible plans). Apparently, there was no negotiated rate that was any lower. PAMF offered a 30% discount when I called, net cost: $826.70 including doctor visit + test. |
|
|
| Posted by: Obama\\\'s Mama in Cleveland, OH. | Posted: March 4th, 2013 12:03PM |
| Medical Center: Metro Health | Insurance: MMO |
Thank goodness my Insurance only allowed the bill to be $1,000. If it wasn't for MMO, I would have blown my whole HSA deductible on one test. Obama targeted the wrong people! |
|
|
| Posted by: cupcakedenise in hanahan, SC. | Posted: December 1st, 2012 01:12AM |
| Medical Center: palmetto primary care | Insurance: blue cross blue shield |
I'm so mad my primary care Dr. didn't tell me this was an expensive test, I'm going through a Divorce and I'm on anti depressants prescribed by her now I got a huge bill and I want to jump of the nearest bridhe!!!! I hate her..thanks shirley ho for ruining my fucked up life even more!!!! |
|
|
| Posted by: a user in Cleveland, OH. | Posted: October 3rd, 2012 01:10PM |
| Medical Center: Cleveland Clinic | Insurance: BCBS |
Basic skin prick test, about 60 tests. Also got cleared for pennicillin allergy. There is almost no way to get pricing information from the Cleveland Clinic! Called and asked about pricing for another test recently, and never got a call back. |
|
|
| Posted by: TK Titanium in Spokane, WA. | Posted: July 17th, 2012 06:07PM |
| Medical Center: Rockwood Allergy Center | Insurance: Lifewise |
I had a basic skin prick test done, about sixty pricks. The doctor gave me some samples and asked me to come back for a follow-up. I went for my follow-up and THEN got my bill. He charged $825 for the skin prick test ALONE! Then there was a $220 dollar exam fee. My insurance decided that they don't cover allergy testing but did cover 75% of the exam fee... Yeah... big help.rnrnPlease learn from my mistake, call your insurance BEFORE your visit to make sure that they will cover allergy testing. |
|
|
Page 2 of 2 - << Previous 1 2
|
|
|
|
|
External Resources: |
- people.rice.edu/emplibrary/RiceCarePOSFY07.pdf
- www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Treatment/diagnosing-allergies/Pages/allergy-tes...
- aaaai.execinc.com/edibo/FindAnAllergist
More Health & Personal Care Topics
|
Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com
|
Post
