Blood Tests Cost

Typical costs:

• CostHelper readers with insurance report out-of-pocket costs of $283-$675 for blood tests, with an average of $432; total billed costs were $312-$1,200 (averaging $755), with the insurance either paying or discounting the total cost by $29-$525.
• For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for blood work typically consist of a copay ranging from nothing to $30 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more; deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will apply.
• Blood tests are often covered by health insurance for preventive, diagnostic or treatment purposes, but coverage depends on the individual case and the terms of the health insurance plan.
• CostHelper readers without health insurance report total costs of $700-$2,589, averaging $1,543. For patients not covered by health insurance, total costs can be $100-$3,000 or more, depending on the number and type of tests ordered; the cost of any doctor visits to order and interpret the tests; and whether the tests are done on an emergency basis.
• Routine blood work done as part of an annual physical or a new patient exam can cost $100-$1,000 or more. Often ordered in connection with an annual physical, a complete blood count (CBC) test alone can cost $10-$150 or more.
• Depending on the patient's symptoms, doctors typically order multiple tests to check for a number of conditions; comprehensive panels of tests can cost $80-$1,500 or more, and combining several testing packages can bring total costs to $1,500-$2,700 or more.

• 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.
• The National Institutes of Health lists types of common blood tests^[1] .

• Depending on the results, the doctor may recommend additional testing.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator ^[2] for clinics providing services on an income-based sliding scale.
• Many hospitals offer discounts of up to 50% for uninsured/self-paying patients. For example, St. Joseph Hospital^[3] in Orange, CA discounts its billed charges by 45%.

• Patients with health insurance that requires them to use "in network" providers should check whether a specific lab is within the network; a doctor who works within an insurance plan might, without checking, refer patients to a lab that isn't covered under that plan. Always double-check for insurance coverage before any blood work is done.
• Blood tests can be done at the office of a primary care provider or specialist, in a clinic or in a hospital.
• For patients who want anonymity or do not wish to go through a doctor, companies such as LabCorp^[4] , Quest Diagnostics^[5] and Health Testing Centers^[6] offer laboratory testing direct to patients. However, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor for any health concerns.

1.  www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/types.html
2.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
3.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
4.  /www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/findalab/
5.  www.questdiagnostics.com/home.html
6.  www.healthtestingcenters.com/

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