Cost for STD test?

[H2SO4]

Can those of you in the US that get test done tell me what to expect when I get the bill? I would like to get tested at some point and asked my Dr. He had no idea so I called my insurance company and they said since my deductible was $1,000 I would be responsible for anything under $1,000 but they do not know what it would be. I go back to the Dr. and ask if I could contact the lab but they tell me that there is no way of knowing which lab my work will go to.

[VegasLee]

First thing is you need to know what all you are going to be tested for. The more your tested for, the more this will cost.

Your doctor should be able to tell you, by what you want to be tested for what the cost is. If they won't tell you then you need to find a new doctor.

There is no way any of us can give you a cost. It is different by most all doctors and labs. The doctor knows what the costs are for the lab he uses.

[bbarnsworth]

It does vary doctor to doctor, lab to lab, medical center to medical center.

But, if you know what you want to be tested for there is no excuse that a given place that does such work has no clue what it will cost.

Within the last year, a member of my family had a semi-elective surgery done. A lot of questions were asked before hand regarding costs. The answers received were vague at best. When we got the bill, we found it to be about 40% higher than the national average for such procedures. We were shocked, floored. We complained to them "Well, you certainly a very sure about how it costs NOW, aren't you?" We also complained to our insurance company. Our out of pocket cost wasn't much higher (a few hundred bucks) but the insurance company really took it on the chin. They didn't care.

For standard procedures, insist on knowing the cost before hand, upfront. Medical business is like any other business. There are honest 'merchants' and dishonest 'merchants'. People spend a lot of brain thought on finding a trustworthy mechanic, and a lot less so on finding a good, honest doctor. You'd think it would be the other way around.

[funcoupledayton]

I would call your county health dept. or planned parenthood. They probably charge on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay and should be able to give you an exact amount for the specific tests they recommend.

[Coupleerotic22]

Sounds like lazy insurance service rep and lazy doctors office.

I would call the insurance company back and ask them what the UCR (usual customary and reasonable) charges are for a full panel STD test. They may come back at you and request a billing code, but they shouldn't need it. They can look it up. But if they insist call a doc in the box. Ask them what they charge for it, and what the billing code is.

This information is standard, it has to be, HIPAA has required it for about seven years now. All docs and insurance companies use them.

[highlander]

My favorite labs are
AIM Healthcare Foundation
(they have affiliates nationwide)

Home Bio Tests - Rapid Std Test - Orasure

AIM's full panel was $430 last time I checked. There are places that are cheaper(I think $300 is about as low as I have seen). The AIM tests are quality tests though.

Many of the tests doctors will use have a substantial window.

Home bio test is a good option if you want some thing quick and inexpensive for doing a test of potential partner. They sell a HIV test for $23.00. These are the same tests public health uses in many states. However, they are not legal for over the counter sales in the US-they will be shipped to you from France if you order there.

I've used both companies-they are very real.

Typically insurance will cover annual STD testing-and will pay for a comprehensive panel. You'll need to pay for additional tests out of pocket-and home-bio-test is a good way to go for that.

[mikeandjenn2001]

One of the reasons I love being in the military, free healthcare. Short of you joining the military, I would suggest asking around, or like another poster mentioned, contact planned parenthood. My mom was a nurse at the county health clinic that offered free STD testing to anybody, but that was in California and I'm not sure where you're at.