For individuals without insurance, a blood test will cost you anything from $100 – $3000. The Walkinlab reports that the average blood work cost for insured individuals is $1500. This depends heavily on what types of tests are being done, how frequently they are conducted, and where you get tested.
Factors That Affect Cost Of Blood Work
The most crucial factors that affect the cost of getting blood tests done are where they are done, how they are done, and what tests are done. If you are suffering from a chronic disease, you may also have to factor in how often these tests are conducted.
Getting blood tests done in person at your hospital is the most expensive way to get them done. This depends on whether the test is being conducted in-house or by an outside laboratory.
Certain health centers may conduct these tests at lower prices or for free. In addition to this, home test kits are another affordable way to test your blood. There is more than one type of blood test, and depending on what your doctor is looking for, you may have to get several tests done at a time. The more tests you take, the more you are likely to spend. This also holds for how often these tests are conducted.
Medical Insurance / Health Insurance- Why The Money Is Worth it.
The steep cost of getting blood work done without insurance could discourage many people from taking them. Doing so can unknowingly put your life in danger because these tests are essential in the early stages of your doctor’s diagnosis.
Many insurance providers cover several types of tests, including blood tests. According to costhelperhealth, individuals with health insurance incurred an out of pocket cost on blood tests consisting of:
- copay from 0-$30 or more
- coinsurance of 10%-50% or more.
When compared with the cost of getting the same test done without insurance, it’s safe to assume that every individual should have medical or health insurance.
Still, we cannot overlook that not everyone can afford an insurance plan even when they are aware of the benefits associated with one. We tackled cost-effective options to get bloodwork done without insurance in the next section.
Methods of Reducing Cost of Blood Work Without Insurance
Blood tests are essential when monitoring our health status, but they can be expensive without insurance. We highlighted a few ways people with tight budgets can get blood work done without breaking the bank.
Research on Clinic Prices- Some clinics or hospitals will carry out blood tests at lower prices. Research the cost of getting a blood test done in various organizations and choose the most affordable one.
Laboratories like Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp do not charge an office fee like other facilities. This reduces the burden of paying a consultation fee and a test fee.
Try Home test Kits- These are a popular, cost-effective way to get blood tests done. Some kits take specific tests, while others may test several things simultaneously.
We should add that it is essential that you see a doctor after taking a blood test, especially if your results are abnormal.
At-home blood tests are not a way for you to skip seeing a doctor; instead, they are aimed at reducing the overall costs of getting these tests done at other facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions on Blood Work
How Often Should I Get Blood Work Done?
Most clinical organizations determine the frequency of blood tests based on age. In addition, people with chronic diseases will need to get tested more regularly.
Here’s a tabular breakdown of how often you should get tested
| Age | Frequency |
| 18-39 | 3-5 years |
| 40-49 | 2-3 years |
| 50 and above | 1-2 years |
Why is it Necessary to Get Blood Work Done?
Blood tests form a crucial part of a doctor’s diagnosis. Their results can point them in the right direction to detecting and treating a disease in its early stages and thus avoiding complications.
What are the Types of Blood Tests?
There are several types of blood tests, and each one is conducted for a specific reason.
On this note, we can’t give you a comprehensive list of all the blood tests out there. Rather we’ll give you an idea of the most common tests out there.
- A1C Test– A1c tests measure your blood sugar level and are used to diagnose diabetes.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – This test gives the doctor a picture of your overall health
- Lipid Panel – Lipid panels tests measure fat substances such as cholesterol, and they are necessary for detecting cardiovascular diseases.
- ABO Typing – This test is done to determine a patient’s blood type
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) – An ABG tests the overall function of the respiratory system and the oxygen level in the blood.
- Coagulation Panel – This blood test is collectively made up of three other tests, namely: PT, PTT, and INR. Its objective is to test your blood’s ability to clot normally.
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests – Many STIs can be detected through blood tests.
Do All Insurance Packages Cover Blood Work?
No insurance provider covers every bill out there, so don’t assume that your medical bills are nothing to worry about because you have insurance.
Some providers are more comprehensive than others, and that is why we advise you to familiarize yourself with what your policy covers.
Most health or medical insurance policies cover numerous tests, including blood tests deemed medically necessary. An instance of when testing is deemed necessary is testing for glucose in pregnant women to check for signs of gestational diabetes.
Conclusion
Blood tests can take a chomp out of our available income when we don’t have insurance to cover the bills.
Some of the most common blood tests you will take to monitor your health include complete blood counts, A1C, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) tests. The most effective way to cut costs on these tests is by considering where and how you get tested. For example, opting for home kits or visiting certain centers can significantly reduce your total bill on getting blood work done.