How Much Does a COVID-19 Test Cost Without Insurance?
The price of a COVID-19 diagnostic test for individuals without insurance ranges from $36 to $180 per test. As the United States is now experiencing another wave of COVID-19 due to the delta variant, it is important to understand how to get tested for the virus. This article aims to help you understand how much you might have to pay if you are required to pay out-of-pocket and where to get tested at the lowest cost.
The Cost of a COVID-19 Test
Medicare covers COVID-19 testing in hospitals without cost-sharing for patients, reimbursing between $36 to $143 per diagnostic test, but there are no regulations on pricing in the private market. Although federal law still requires insurers to cover COVID-19 testing for medical reasons, tests for monitoring are not always covered. Insurers are not required to cover COVID-19 testing if:
- It is part of employee return-to-work programs
- Public health surveillance purposes
Prices for COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests in the Largest Hospitals in Each State
There are currently two main COVID-19 tests: diagnostic tests (PCR and antigen) and antibody tests. Most COVID-19 diagnostic tests will cost you between $100 and $200. However, you may need to pay additional fees for specimen collection and office visits. These fees will depend on your health insurance status, the test you receive, your site of care, and your symptom severity.
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Khang T. Vuong received his Master of Healthcare Administration from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. He was named Forbes Healthcare 2021 30 under 30. Vuong spoke at Stanford Medicine X, HIMSS conference, and served as a Fellow at the Bon Secours Health System.