How Much Does Blood Work Cost Without Insurance

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Most people have to get blood work done at some point in their lives. Blood work is the collective name for tests that can be run on a person's blood sample to analyze their health. These tests can check everything from cholesterol and vitamin levels to kidney function and blood count. Blood work helps uncover health problems, explain certain symptoms, and give healthcare professionals a better view of people's overall health.

But just because these tests are very common doesn't mean they're always cost effective. If you don't have health insurance and your healthcare professional has ordered blood work, you may be wondering how much you'll have to pay out of pocket for the tests. Below, we cover how much blood work costs without insurance and more.

How much does blood work cost?

The costs for some of the most common blood tests without insurance often range from $29 to $99. The chart below shows sample costs for blood tests from Labcorp OnDemand and Quest, two large, independent labs.

What factors affect the cost of blood work?

Costs for blood tests can vary widely, whether you have insurance or not, because prices are based on several factors. Here are four factors to consider.

1. The type of test

More specialized tests - such as tests for vitamin deficiencies, allergies, or anemia - can be pricier, while more common tests may be less expensive. For example, a complete blood count test, one of the most common types of blood work, often costs as little as $29. A celiac disease test, meanwhile, may cost between $105 to $120 or more.

2. Where the test is conducted

Testing location is one of the biggest predictors of cost. Many hospitals and medical clinics charge office fees or add on the cost of supplies like needles. Stand-alone test centers tend to charge flat, lower-cost fees as a basic part of their business model. Hospital outpatient labs usually charge the most for blood work.

A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that prices at hospital outpatient labs were 246% higher for a lipid panel, 402% higher for a blood count, and 531% higher for a metabolic panel than a healthcare professional's office or stand-alone lab facility.

3. Whether the test is considered preventive care

Most private health insurance plans are required by U.S. law to cover all preventive services for members without copays or other fees. Blood tests that are typically conducted as part of annual exams often fall under this guideline, but not always. If your healthcare professional recommends a less common test that's not classified as part of preventative care, it may not be covered.

4. The region where you live

Lab test costs can vary from hospital to hospital, city to city, and state to state, withlittle consistency or transparency in the pricing. Though, prices at independent labs tend to be more stable across regions.

Does insurance cover blood work?

Yes, insurance plans usually cover blood work. In fact, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance plans to fully cover laboratory costs that are part of preventive care screenings - like a cholesterol screening - when you receive care from an in-network healthcare professional.

If your healthcare professional orders tests that are not considered part of preventive care to investigate symptoms you're having - like an anemia screening not related to pregnancy - they may not be fully covered by insurance.

What resources can help you pay for blood work?

Even if you don't have insurance, that doesn't mean you'll have to pay the full price for your blood work or that you'll have to pay right away. Try these five tips to reduce or delay your costs.

1. Use funds from your HSA or FSA

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use the funds to cover out-of-pocket costs for lab tests recommended by a healthcare professional.

2. Pay over time

Whether you have blood work done at an independent facility or hospital, you may be able to pay for the tests in installments. Many testing facilities offer installment or other special payment plans, often without interest or fees, for people experiencing financial problems. Many hospitals also allow patients who are uninsured or can't pay their bill in full to set up a monthly payment schedule.

3. Pay with a credit card

Whether your blood work is taken at a hospital, clinic, or independent lab testing facility, you can almost always pay your bill with a credit card. It may not be ideal, but it does give you more time to pay off the expense. If you go this route, keep in mind that many cards offer a 0% interest rate for the first year, meaning you'll have that long to pay off the balance before you start accruing any interest.

4. Ask to be classified as indigent and in need of charity care

Sometimes, a healthcare provider or hospital ordering a lab can forward a notice of charity care program approval to an independent testing facility. The purpose is to ask the testing facility to honor the same discounts that the patient is receiving from the hospital or healthcare professional's office.

5. Enroll in a financial assistance program

Many testing facilities offer financial assistance programs that provide qualifying patients with a discount on their tests - up to 100% in some cases. To apply, you'll need to fill out an application and attach a copy of your W2, most recent income tax return, or pay stub. Or, if you qualify for local, state, or federal assistance, you can attach proof of your eligibility. In some cases, you may also need to write a letter requesting assistance.

Eligibility for assistance programs is determined using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' poverty guidelines, which consider household income and the number of people within that household to determine financial status.

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