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 |  | With Insurance Coverage: Sometimes Copays or Deductibles |  | Without Insurance: $25-$75 |
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Pap tests, used to detect precancerous changes in the uterine cervix, are recommended every three years for women, starting three years after the first sexual intercourse or no later than age 21.
Typical costs: |
- For those not covered by health insurance, a conventional Pap test usually costs $25 to $40 and a liquid-based Pap test -- sometimes referred to by the brand name ThinPrep -- costs $45 to $60, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Many states require insurance companies to cover regular Pap tests. The National Women's Law Center offers a state-by-state chart.
- For patients covered by insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically range from zero to the full fee, depending on the deductible and copays. A Medicare patient whose deductible has not been met would pay the full $75 fee at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center[1] . However, some insurance plans, such as this Aetna plan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Community Blue PPO plan, cover "wellness" screenings 100 percent, with no deductible or copay, usually with some restrictions.
Related articles: Mammogram, Colonoscopy, Flu Shot
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What should be included: |
- Usually after performing a pelvic exam, the doctor or clinician uses a scraper or small brush to collect a sample of cervical cells.
- In a conventional Pap test, the cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
- In the liquid-based Pap test, the collection device is rinsed into a vial containing a special solution, then sent to a laboratory. There it is filtered or centrifuged to separate out the cells, which are mechanically mixed to create a more uniform sample.
- The liquid-based Pap test has been found to allow for slightly better diagnoses and fewer false negatives, so most tests in the United States are liquid-based, but the conventional test still is considered adequate as well. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition offers a comparison of the conventional test and the liquid-based test.
- The National Cancer Institute[2] offers a Q&A on Pap tests.
Additional costs: |
- About six percent of Pap tests show some abnormality that requires follow-up testing. Further testing can include another Pap test, testing for the human papillomavirus -- a common sexually transmitted virus, some strains of which can lead to cancer -- or an examination of the vagina with a microscope-like instrument or a biopsy.
- Not all abnormal results mean cancer. The National Cancer Institute[3] offers a guide to abnormal Pap test results.
Discounts: |
- Health clinics such as those run by local health departments or those operated by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.[4] offer low-cost gynecological exams and Pap tests to women, usually based on a sliding scale. Or, YWCA's ENCOREplus[5] program offers referrals for low-cost or free Pap tests.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a program that pays all or part of the cost of a Pap test for low-income, uninsured and underinsured women who qualify.
Shopping for a pap test: |
- If you have health insurance, consult with your gynecologist or health clinic to schedule a pelvic exam and Pap test.
- Otherwise, call your local health department. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services[6] offers more resources for finding low-cost or free Pap tests.
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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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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
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| Posted by: Erin M in Reno, NV. | Posted: October 14th, 2017 11:10AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: LabCorp | Insurance Carrier: none |
| Type of Policy: none |
My doctor visit cost about $200, which I was told upfront. The doctor suggested a pap smear; I asked how much it would cost, and she said they didn't do it in-house, but estimated $60. Imagine my surprise when a bill came from LabCorp for $618. The internet estimates $50 to $200, but this is ridiculous! |
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| Posted by: a user in Los Angeles, CA. | Posted: December 31st, 2015 05:12PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Healthcare Partners Medical Group. | Insurance Carrier: |
| Type of Policy: uninsured |
I paid Partner medical group $210.00 for a pap smear, two weeks later get a bill for $529.00 This is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous, I don't discriminate, but most of this clinics, are regulated by Asian nurse practitioners, they don't care from, or how I got to paid for the test. |
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| Posted by: LoBos in Kansas City, MO. | Posted: July 19th, 2015 07:07AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: | Insurance Carrier: BCBS |
As many I went In for my yearly womans wellness exam. I noticed on my BCBS website stating the lab was out of network, "my fault for not confirming first". And I was to be charged for most of it. However I made sure before the bill came out and called BCBS and asked them why they didn't cover it since it was my Wellness exam. She told me most of those test are not covered under "routine", those would be considered " medical diagnosis". My Doctor ran those other test because this was the second year my cervix was bleeding at the slightest touch and came back Abnormal, she wanted to further investigate, I said okay. So I called my doctors office to explain to them what my insurance had told me, and so so understood her mistake and resubmitted the claim. I would recommend calling or asking an OBGYN office what Labs they use and make sure their in net work or if not can they use one that is. My deductible is paid in full and after this claim is done, all I'll have to pay in the end is $200 for out of network. This lab was Bio Reference Labs so from what I learned they are VERY expensive If your insurance does not contract. And most BCBS DOES NOT contract with Bio Reference Labs. |
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| Posted by: Emily Lau in SAN FRANCISCO, CA. | Posted: April 24th, 2015 12:04PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: UCSF Womens Health | Insurance Carrier: |
I am currently disputing a $2400 bill for a 20 max appointment at the UCSF Womens Health Center for routine gyno exam plus pap smear. The bills I received are 1) $1800, $200 of which was for "clinic visit" and the rest lab fees of which there are two. Although I declined HPV and STD testing I believe I they were run anyway, and I am still waiting to find out what the labs were for as the lines items only state" laboratory fees." 2) Second bill for about $600 for new patient gyno exam. Mind you, I have insurance which is taken caring of most of this, but that is not the point. I will pay about $300, but the issue is really with these outrageous fees that UCSF is billing. $2400 for the most basic routine gyno exam of which 2/3 is lab fees. $1600 for a pap smear lab fee, you have to be kidding me. This is absurd.
This website and all of these experiences speak to |
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| Posted by: Traumatized in Tennessee in Nashville, TN. | Posted: October 28th, 2014 11:10AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Clinic owned by local hospital | Insurance Carrier: BCBS |
| Type of Policy: Silver/Network S |
For the love of all that's holy, next time you go to a doctor, check with them before they do ANY lab work and make sure it isn't being sent somewhere out of network, because this is unbelievable. BioReference Laboratories is the offending lab in my case. Love my OBGYN but BCBST ran all charges (including office fees for the actual pap test, which WAS performed at an in-network provider and was supposedly therefore covered) as out-of-network and didn't even count them toward my deductible. |
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| Posted by: autumnmoonlighting in Traverse City, MI. | Posted: May 2nd, 2014 04:05PM |
I have no health insurance and have opted out of the "Affordable Care Act" also known as OBAMA Care. For some reason Obama thinks a single person making $32,000/yr. can afford $305.00/mo. payments (really?). I was quoted $165.00 for a pap smear. I foolishly thought a Pap smear was a total package (why wouldn't it be?). Instead I received a second bill from Munson Medical Center in Traverse City MI. I was billed an additional $232.00. $182.00 was a charge for "Specimens sent from your Drs. Office". My pap smear was done DIRECTLY across the street from Munson Medical. Apparently it costs $182.00 to walk 5 yards. Does anyone know how to become a delivery service of cultures? Why would a practice say OK to service charges like that? Our medical facilities need to re-evaluate the worth vs. cost of a service. This is totally ridiculous. I feel robbed. |
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| Posted by: Asfiya in Spring, TX. | Posted: April 13th, 2014 11:04AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: 1960 family Practice | Insurance Carrier: BCBS |
| Type of Policy: PPO |
year is 2014. My doctor told me that all insurances pay for Pap smear and she ordered me to get well woman's exam. When I received the bill for blood work, I was shocked to see that it was $674 and no test was covered by bcbs.Two days later I got another bill from Quest diagnostic stating that PAP smear costs $409, out of which I have to pay $199. Please do not go to quest diagnostics for lab test |
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| Posted by: Girlfriend of Payer/Payee in Pearland, TX. | Posted: March 13th, 2013 01:03AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Women's of Pearland | Insurance Carrier: none |
| Type of Policy: none |
I usually know how much money a test would cost and for the doctor visit. I had two which was about 200 dollars and one which was 180 dollars. However, my fourth one at a different doctor was 250.. everything was paid for up front.. and then i recieve a lab test bill that I opted out on paying for for 3 months because 1. I never asked for any of those test, and 2. I called the doctor office and told them about it thinking they would go check up on it for me.
However, I ended up paying for it to get them off my back, but I sent in a very upsetting complaint letter stating that I did not approve of the test and that they should not have billed me, and a week or two later, they refunded my money. However, I will NEVER go back even though the doc was super nice. The whole experience there was horrible esp calling in to get a different prescription for the pill was a hassle. :/
So if you were billed for lab test that you did not want or authorized then file a complaint. |
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| Posted by: Wendi in DALLAS, TX. | Posted: February 25th, 2013 11:02AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: los barrios unidos | Insurance Carrier: none |
I am self employed without insurance but have excellent health. Decided to get an annual pap at a local clinic that works on a sliding scale fee. Was told the minimum I would have to pay would be 87.00, but they wouldn't give me a price. After qualifying for a 60% discount, they gave me a pap and then charged my 257.00 after the discount! That's outrageous! Women's health care in Texas is practically non-existent and the clinics are clearly taking advantage of people who don't have insurance (before the discount it was 595.00 for a pap!) DO NOT GO TO THIS CLINIC IF YOU LIVE IN DALLAS |
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| Posted by: LABCORP=PROFITS ARE OUR PASSION in Hillsborough, NC. | Posted: July 4th, 2012 12:07PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Hillsborough mecical group | Insurance Carrier: |
| Type of Policy: Uninsured |
just got a bill from Labcorp for 561.00 for what I thought was a routine pap. My n.p. Ordered Pap IG CT-NG HPV. WHY?rnI am filing a complaint with the state attorney generals office, bbb, and will call for an investigation into these fraudulant pricing practices. These prices should be available to the consumer. Thank you President Obama for starting the cnonsumer protection agency to help us against these greedy corporate pigs |
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| Posted by: maryker in miami, FL. | Posted: April 19th, 2012 01:04PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: none | Insurance Carrier: |
what many of you fail to recognize is that most ob/gyns need to make at least $500,000.00 just to brake even. between medical malpractice insurance, increased staff due to insurance and goverment requirements and other overhead, doctors have to charge more and fit more patients in. patients have brought this on themselves with their entitlement mentality wanting insurance or the government to pay for everything and for suing for a maloccurence and not malpractice. all of these have increased costs for physicians which increases your costs. |
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| Posted by: Rachel Carmona in Hobbs, NM. | Posted: April 10th, 2012 09:04AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Hobbs NM | Insurance Carrier: none |
| Type of Policy: cash self pay |
I really feel for everyone out there, I have been through the same this is why I decided to open up a clinic to provide to people like myslef and you our fee is 38.00 for a visit blood work is very inexpensive at our facility our cost for a pap is 85.00 and this in including office visit! prices are outrages and physicians are way to expensive I have a Nurse Practitioner on staff and this works out great for the public!! I have some physicians really upset with me but its not about them its about public health awareness!!! hope all of you find something similar good luck. |
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| Posted by: mmacbain in Mesa, AZ. | Posted: February 13th, 2012 05:02PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Hatfield Family Medicine | Insurance Carrier: BCBS of AZ |
| Type of Policy: Medical |
Just got a bill two weeks later after a routine pap smear. Did not ask to be tested for STD's. Doctors office obviously ran a PCR and now I have a bill for $2195.66. Bill says that they don't recognise me as covered by ins?? I am, but what kind of tests are these? Why were they run without my permission? What is going on here? |
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| Posted by: JacqueLA in Covington, LA. | Posted: January 14th, 2012 08:01PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Dr. Cresap | Insurance Carrier: NONE |
| Type of Policy: CASH, self paid |
Office visit, we paid up front and were told we wouldn't have any other bills... was $168.10. I was so shocked it was cheap compared to my last visit years ago. Then a month later get a bill in for $2045.00 from BioReference Laboratories. Apparently my Doctor thought I needed every single yeast culture test under the sun even though I was not at risk, nor did I request anything but a basic pap smear. My husband is refusing to pay and I am waiting for Monday so I can call up both offices and give them a taste of my mind. This is down right con-ing patients out of money. rnrnOh I'd love to give the media this news...if this isn't fixed. Maybe people will see the problem with health care is prices are not listed upfront and the consumer/patient isn't given a choice. That's like me walking into a restaurant, walking out and getting a bill for 10 tables I never ordered for. But I'm responsible? And this goes on our credit report. B.S. |
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| Posted by: a user in brooklyn, NY. | Posted: November 3rd, 2011 12:11PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: preferred health partners | Insurance Carrier: Empire BCBS |
| Type of Policy: Hospital |
I was told by my provider representative that I would be covered for a once a year preventative gyno visit and mamo. So I made an appointment with Preferred Health. Knowing my finances are low, I went this route instead of Planned Parenthood @ $165 total visit & pap to a $626.00 visit using BCBS's false information. This charge is criminal. |
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| Posted by: a user in Dickinson, . | Posted: September 15th, 2011 01:09PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: | Insurance Carrier: BlueCrossBlueShieldTX |
| Type of Policy: PPO |
So that 1145.00 is just for the lab work. The insurance also paid for a $118.00 office visit. When I called to asked why the lab work cost so much the lady said don't worry your insurance will cover it at 100%. No wonder my premium is so expensive. I could have had this done at Planned Parenthood for $75.00 |
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| Posted by: a user in Allen, TX. | Posted: July 12th, 2011 03:07PM |
At the office I work for for a PAP Smear it is $159.00 for the office visit, $8 for the urine dip, and $10 for the stool blood test. Plus what ever the charge from the lab is.
Personally I don't get PAP Smears. They are only 80% accurate and the FDA refuses to legalize the blood test that can detect more types of cancer in women here in the US. Plus other countries state PAP smear should start between 40 and 50 and then repeated every 5 years. |
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| Posted by: Jaye in Eastlake, CA. | Posted: June 11th, 2011 10:06AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Scripps Eastlake | Insurance Carrier: HealthNet |
| Type of Policy: PPO 1500 |
So here is the ridiculous situation I am now dealing with. I went to get my annual PAP at Scripps Medical. I paid my co-pay and had the exam. About a month later I got a bill for $460 for lab tests. I immediately called because I don't recall authorizing $460 in lab tests but supposedly I had abnormal cells so they ran an expensive HPV test. I paid it because I thought I had no other option.
A YEAR AND A HALF LATER I got another bill from them, this time for $564.00. I again called because over a year and a half later I thought this had been taken care of by my insurance. Come to find out, they were just lazy and billed me late (very late).
But here's the thing- they billed me for 3 things I know I didn't get while at this appointment and these three things were the most expensive. When I called to argue they said there was nothing they could do! I wrote a letter to the company complaining and accusing them of fraud (as advised when I called) and waited to hear back. I didn't. Instead I got a letter from a collections agency.
Finally, after all of this I decided to follow-up on my abnormal cells with a midwife who charged me only $75. She also ran an HPV test- which came back negative. She had it run twice just to be sure. Scripps claims my HPV test was positive which would not have been possible since this one came back negative such a short time later. I believe they billed me for that test (which was about $200) without actually running the test.
Scripps Medical in San Diego (Eastlake clinic) is very shady. I thought such a large medical provider wouldn't be but I guess not. From now on I will stick with my midwife who is fantastic and doesn't hide costs like these! |
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| Posted by: Melissa Lewis in Dallas/Houston, TX. | Posted: May 25th, 2011 12:05PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Mi Doctor Clinicas | Insurance Carrier: with or without Medicaid |
For the month of June, Mi Doctor Clinics are supporting the fight against Cervical Cancer are offering the Pap Smear Test + Medical Consultation (self pay) at only $89.00.
With Medicaid at not cost. This are the contact numbers:
Toll free: 1.888.776.5252
Dallas:(972)607-9435
Houston: (713) 454-7068 |
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| Posted by: Nicole M in Saint Augustine, FL. | Posted: February 6th, 2011 08:02PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: BioReference | Insurance Carrier: None |
| Type of Policy: None |
I am completely appauled by this. When I opened this bill I actually thought I was getting a receipt for the $40 I had already paid, not ANOTHER $225 bill! My doctor KNEW I was self-pay, and told me UPFRONT that her fee was $160 and the lab fee would be FORTY DOLLARS. So I sent in a $40 check immediately. Now I have a bill for $225 for lab fees. I have NO idea where my doctor got this "$40" figure from, because NOTHING on this invoice is even close to $40. I feel betrayed because my doctor said "I know your self pay and I want to tell you the fees up front so there are no surpises." Guess she didn't think that getting a $225 bill a month later would be a shock. This is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. I'm only 20 years old and make $1,000 a month. How in the world can doctors and labs expect AVERAGE WORKING PEOPLE to pay these bills ??? |
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| Posted by: a user in Fairbanks, AK. | Posted: January 25th, 2011 12:01PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Tanana Valley Clinic | Insurance Carrier: Blue Cross |
I scheduled my normal yearly PAP. I paid my office visit copay of $25.00. I then received a bill for roughly $400 for the Dr. Visit fees, I then later received a bill from the Hospital lab for $400 dollars, and just yesterday I received a bill from the Pathology office charging me another $200. I had to pay over $1000 for a basic PAP the physician was with me for less than 5 min! I don't understand why I can be billed by the physician for taking the sample, the lab for processing the sample and the pathologist for looking at the sample. All which took less than an hour for all three services!!!! Medical is outrageous in Alaska! |
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| Posted by: CS in Springfield, VA. | Posted: January 20th, 2011 02:01PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: CosmosMD | Insurance Carrier: NONE |
I had a Well Woman Exam which actually included the actual physical exam, with breast and pelvic exam. The doctor was very thorough. I called this office and let them know that I don't have insurance,and their fees are very reasonable. |
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| Posted by: Bec in Auburn, IN. | Posted: January 12th, 2011 07:01AM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Armstrong Family Medicine | Insurance Carrier: N/A |
| Type of Policy: N/A |
I almost cried when I got the bill for my pap smear. A friend told me that her pap smear cost her around $80. Something you can get done cheaply at a local clinic has been distorted into something that only the wealthy can afford and I am INFURIATED. The division of this cost is as follows:
Liquid Based W Focal Poi--$76
Chlamydia--$98
Gonorrhoea--$98
Herpes--$210
Now I know these are routine (Well, I don't know but I assume) but I haven't been sexually active at all since my last pap smear, so I am basically paying $500 for them to tell me what I already know. |
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| Posted by: a user in Lancaster, PA. | Posted: December 28th, 2010 05:12PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Lancaster, PA | Insurance Carrier: United Healthcare |
| Type of Policy: Minimum College Coverage |
I had one pap before getting married from some random doctor I had never met just to get birth control. They charged me $200 for the visit but $135 of it was covered and then they sent me a $95 bill in a month for the lab tests. I was never sexually active and I knew I was fine so I never even called back for the results. I still paid the $95 fee just to get it over with (I was in the midst of wedding plans and moving to a new area for goodness sake).We were making below poverty level pay then so $160 for the whole thing was like $1000 dollars to my fiance and I at the time. My husband and I have no insurance now because we cannot afford it on a regular basis. I switched my info. to the doc I go to now. I had gone to her b4 just for physicals but I do not call her "my doctor". I want to go to a gyno but with no insurance I assume this could only be more pricey. I HAVE to have birth control as a married woman in my late 20's with no money to afford a child. So ridiculous |
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| Posted by: Morgana in San Jose, CA. | Posted: December 27th, 2010 02:12PM |
| Clinic or Doctor: Martha Medlicott NP | Insurance Carrier: Kaiser |
| Type of Policy: 3500 Deductible |
I went to Kaiser for a simple pap smear and spent 15 minutes with the Nurse Practitioner who did nothing but give me nice talk and a 15 second pap smear. When I received a $980 bill in the mail I about fell over backwards. She had ordered tests I have never even heard of. I have spoken with several doctors recently who said she never should have ordered those tests unless she had a reason to do so. She had none. I am currently fighting this outrageous bill. No wonder the Health Care system is so messed up in this country. On top of a $980 bill you are still paying your monthly cost of $300+...I choose to go without insurance and take my chances. |
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External Resources: |
- patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/charges_for_healthcare_services...
- www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/Pap-HPV-testing
- www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcervicalchanges
- www.plannedparenthood.org/
- www.ywca.org/site/closed.asp?c=djISI6PIKpG&
- womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/pap-test.cfm#q
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