Pulmonary Function Test Cost

How Much Does a Pulmonary Function Test Cost?

With Health Insurance: 0%-20% Copay

Without Health Insurance: $40-$800

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are usually used to diagnose or determine the progress of lung disease. Pulmonary function tests are used for early screening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but also can be used to determine if patients have other respiratory problems. There are several types of tests that determine lung function including spirometry, lung volume and diffusing capacity. Pulmonary function tests are recommended for patients who are older than 40 and are smokers or are exposed to second-hand smoke.

Typical costs:

For patients without insurance, pulmonary function tests typically cost $40-$800 total, depending on how many and which tests are ordered by a physician. According to Health Care Blue Book^[1] , an online health care price estimator, $42 is the average cost of a spirometry test, but it might not include the cost of an office visit, which typically costs $25-$100. Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center^[2] , in Lincoln, NE, charges $240-$569 for spirometry testing; a lung function test is $129 and a monoxide diffusing capacity test is $456.
For patients with medical insurance, pulmonary function tests might be covered at 80%-100%. Typically, if a doctor deems a pulmonary function test necessary, the medical insurance provider will cover it.

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What should be included:

During a spirometry test, a patient breathes into a mouthpiece that is connected to a spirometer. The spirometer records the amount and rate of air inhaled and exhaled during specific periods of time.
Lung volume measurement tests are done typically two different ways. In one style of test, the patient sits in a clear box the size of a telephone booth, and breathes into a mouthpiece. Changes in pressure in the box are used to calculate lung volume. In another testing method, the patient breathes in helium or nitrogen and the concentration of the gas is measured to calculate lung volume.
In a diffusion capacity test, a patient breathes gas for a short time. The concentration of the gas exhaled is measured to determine how effectively gas travels from the lungs into the blood.
Medicine Plus^[3] , a service of the National Library of Medicine, provides details on what to expect from the different pulmonary function tests and how to prepare for them.

Additional costs:

The cost of an office visit to a physician might be added to the cost of a pulmonary function test. Expect an office visit to cost $25-$100.

Discounts:

Medical insurance may cover the cost of a pulmonary function test. Contact an insurance provider for specific coverage details.
The COPD Foundation has a Mobile Spirometry Unit^[4] that offers free testing of pulmonary function.
Health fairs frequently offer a variety of free pulmonary function tests. Health Fairs of America^[5] includes pulmonary function testing at health fair events.

Shopping for a pulmonary function test:

The COPD Foundation provides useful information^[6] on who should seek pulmonary function testing and what to expect with the tests.
The American Lung Association provides a fact sheet^[7] on COPD.
WebMD provides extensive information^[8] on various types of COPD diagnostic tests including pulmonary function tests.

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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