Blood tests can measure cells, lipids, proteins, sugars, hormones, tumor markers and other blood components. They are used to diagnose and treat of many diseases including diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disease and cancer.
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] .
Additional costs:
Depending on the results, the doctor may recommend additional testing.
Discounts:
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%.
Shopping for blood tests:
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.
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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I have learned for any Medicare work to be careful: The patient authorization/sign up sheet typically has a phrase that if Medicare doesn't cover a cost, I will pay for it. I scratch this out and write that I decline and do not authorize any tests, treatments or other expenditures not covered by Medicare. I cannot afford them. I do not understand what is and is not covered. That is the responsibility of those offering the service to determine in advance. I now do this on every Medicare service. So far, no one has turned me down. I also request a copy of the document. In 2017 I received a bill from Labcorp for about $500 in blood work not covered by Medicare. I referred to my written document showing this was an unauthorized service, that I did not have the means to pay for it, and I was refusing to. After a few phone calls they admitted it was their mistake and cancelled the charges. I would rather find someone willing to do this than get caught with bills I can't pay.
they told us that the bill for the ER visit was only $210. later on we receive a bill for $1000. i got around 4-6 blood tests. all im mad about is that they lied to us.
I have medicare and supplemental insurance. I am being charged $299 for 4 blood tests that medicare did not cover. I don't know if my doctor screwed up on requesting the tests. This is total BS. Pay for medicare insurance & supplemental insurance and still get a bill. Why $299 for 4 blood tests with insurance?
Patient went where he was directed to go and his out of pocket was marked up about 80 to 90% in my experience as a Phlebotomist working with various Labs
Type of Blood Test: Have yet to disclose that information me
Got a bill with no information about tests or cost of each, how many, what kind, information at the hospital was withheld until I got my bill... $6,187.97
My insurance carrier initially refused payment due to a clerical error on their part. The bill from labcorp rolled in at $980. Months later and weeks from going to collections, insurance company corrected error and reprocessed, and amount reduced to $180 per negotiated discount with carrier. I got curious and have researched this issue extensively and have learned that both Labcorp and Quest offer a 45% discount for uninsured, but that you have to work with your doctor and the lab to get the discount. I also checked with multiple online web labs and have uncovered that discounts for the same tests from retail range from as little as 25% to a high of 43%. The marketing is sleek, but the pricing model is straight forward. The labs themselves are milking the uninsured by greater than 230% from those who know how to negotiate this mine field and the on-line labs are simply marking up a few points over the lab providers' uninsured discount. As for those who don't know, the markup is 540%
Why is blood lab work so freaking expensive? During one visit with Doc, my EOB from Ins. Company showed Doc Blood full CBC @ 900., Hospital Lab @ 4,918. Really? Three viles with Doc at one visit. What does it mean, Doc looked at one and sent two to Hospital? Who controls these outrageous fees? Thank God we have Insurance; billed 333. How do they get away billing it? God Bless America!
The Dept of Veterans' Affairs has various clinics that provide comprehensive care and blood tests for veterans. Mine is at Ft Belvoir, VA, and they do all tests for me at no cost. I then take test results to my civilian doctor.
I have had well over 50 blood tests since Kidney Transplant, each costing around $125 or less., $40 out of pocket after Insurance. UVA charged me $4,780 for exact same testing, and my out of pocket is $820 ! OUTRAGEOUS, NOT paying, and contacting State Attorney General
Went to the ER for pelvic pain. I was billed: $92.82 for a liter of normal saline (IVF) $732.12 for a CMP $101.20 for a urinalysis $250.47 for a CBC $169.20 for a PT $616.31 for "IV HYD INT >31M" $350.66 for a lipase $866.52 for "ABD ACUTE COMP" and a whopping $2123.62 "for ER visit level IV" ... I was only in the ER for 2 hours, the "doctor" examined me THROUGH MY CLOTHES(!), and then separately billed me over $500.00 for that "exam". Thoroughly criminal, in my opinion.
In October, a full workup cost me $30 out of pocket. I just got a basic workup in Jan. after being put on blood meds and it cost me $187. Why so much for a more basic test?
My dr started using the facility for lab work. I have never been charged this much before, and can't afford to pay it, haven't worked since October. The hospital told me they actually out source it to someone else in another state, I called them to get a explanation but nobody answers.
Simple CBC was ordered for unknown reasons by my pain mgmt dr. Won't send to my in network Labcorp - and charged a whopping $7939.32. Insurance wouldn't pay bc out of network. Now sending me the bill for a reduced $329.87! Um NO. I have a zero copay and excellent insurance. This is such a ripoff and I'm shutting them down.
My insurance company was billed $3,220 for this test. They paid $643.80. This was not for a group of tests. The amount charged is outrageous. I don't think the hospital or doctors see or are aware of these excessive amounts. I feel the patient must stand up for the insurance company in these circumstances. The testing company is NeoGenomics Labs in Orlando, FL
Posted by: No-lateral Pulmonary Embolism in Ocala, FL.
Posted: October 12th, 2016 03:10PM
Medical Center: Ocala Regional
Type of Blood Test: ABG
$400 co-payment BC/BS at hospital The facility that ordered the ABG test won't do it because of type of insurance, but will do it if I pay cash. For a whopping $108. Gees where should I go, just a word of advice to people call around for prices if you can't get a price google it to get an idea.
Medical Center: Dr. Standley True Health Diagnostics
Type of Blood Test: Every test they could do
It was supposed to be basic bloodwork for wbc, and then thyroid level . Turns out they sent out my blood for every possible test and I wasn't informed. I now have a bill for something I won't be able to pay off.
Got an itemized bill from a recent ER visit. On top of charging me for medications (and a seperate charge for administering those medications) that I NEVER received, they charged $860 for a pregnancy test!
On order of Internist, for fulltime employed / ambultory/fully cognitive 66 year- old male not yet on Medicare.but has PPO insurance and confirmed Dx of HCM. No personal or family history/symptoms of Autoimmune Disease,Arthritis, Thyroid or kidney disease. Went to Methodist Hospital of So Cal,Arcadia,CA 91007 for outpatient routine draw of lab tests. With our PPO insurance I have listed the tests ordered,indication for tests, and cost to us AFTER INSURANCE : Free T4 (thyroid panel) $218.00; Sed rate-E-(sed rate test can't pinpoint problem that's causing inflammation in your body)-Sterling labs online charges $26; Meth.Hospital in 91007, $145.00, RF (rhematoid arthritis)$135, TSH (thyroid) $364.00, Vit B12-CYA for kidney disease $250. AntiNuclear AB, for autoimmune disease $12, Venipuncture $36-just to draw the blood for above tests=lab invoice is for a whopping $1160 after insurance!!! Thinking this facility wants us to pay for all Illegals or unemployed living here. NOT FAIR.
I was having problems with my foot. My foot was cold all the time and everything so I had a very large variety of test done the original cost without insurance is $2,579 but how can these texts cost so much!!
In the state of Florida ALL doctors may not Upcharge the cost of lab tests for cash patients unless they have their own lab. ie- a urine test done in office can be upcharged
my brother had some blood testing done for infectious diseases so he could fight in an mma match, because this was non medical he was charged full price and paid out of pocket, total costs coming to 495 at a sliding scale clinic.
Type of Blood Test: lipids thyroid, vitamins, full panel gen
I went to Dr Brazelia for a free consultation for hormone and weight issues. Dr Brazelia was very holistic and knowledgeable in regards to correct nutrition and treating the whole person. She told me that my insurance would pay for the Blood Tests and I had a VERY thorough result packet with clear information, in fact each section had a green yellow or red level number indicating problem severity to normal with explanations.It included not only the numbers/levels but also genetic markers. My issue is my insurance DIDN'T Pay even though she told me it would. When she prescribed a 1 week cleanse based on the outcome of the tests and to start a diet program, which was way overpriced, I was told that my insurance didn't cover office visits and the diet things. I do not think its fair that she did the blood tests without approval from my insurance when she said it was covered. I need to work this one out with them somehow. I also agree with others here who think pricing should be up front
When I had "a full panel" done a few years ago, all I had was a $25 copay. Now, my psychiatrist wanted to figure out if some of my symptoms were caused by something else. He gave me a note and told me to take it "anywhere that does blood tests." I went to a local urgent care clinic, and after about an hour of stalling, they said they would do it, but they couldn't guarantee how it would come out on billing because none of THEIR doctors had ordered it. By then I just wanted it to be over, so I let them take my blood. A couple months later, I find out that before insurance it was $3300, so $1300 (after insurance) is such a steal, right? We're already on a fixed income. Is there actually a way to argue this down?
Type of Blood Test: 1st blood check for pregnant women
On my first appointment with the OBGYN for my pregnancy, they told me to do a blood test on location. I went the lady said the amount due was $60 with my insurance. Then two weeks later I receive a statement asking me to pay $447.17, and it bill does not even explain in detail why it is so high. I am a college student how do they think I am gonna get all that. In my country I would only pay $100 max for that same test. I am pissed off!!
Type of Blood Test: Comb Metab, lipid, thyroid, cbc
Do you believe it $2700…. clearly when medical facilities have exorbitant pricing - prices should be posted. When I go to Walmart - I see what things cost, also at Belks. Medical consumers should have the right to see pricing as well. We must give our life to register - license, medical card, list any and all people we have ever known. But we get little to NO info. So we can say no thanks - going down the road! Im new to the region and feel totally taken. BTW - I have insurance and my portion was over $800
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