Laboratory Services
Laboratory services are medical tests that assist physicians in diagnosing a condition or checking how your care is progressing. The chart below compares several routine laboratory services that are used to analyze body fluids such as blood and urine. Costs do not include blood drawing or other lab handling fees.
Laboratory services are medical tests that assist physicians in diagnosing a condition or checking how your care is progressing. The chart below compares several routine laboratory services that are used to analyze body fluids such as blood and urine. Costs do not include blood drawing or other lab handling fees.
The estimates below are based on Medica Choice network contract rates.
Service |
Description |
Average Cost |
||
| Clinic | Stand-alone Laboratory |
Hospital | ||
| Chlamydia Screening | A test to detect Chlamydia, a common, curable infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
Procedure Code: CPT 87491 |
$56.92 | $37.00 | $45.09 |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | A panel of tests that gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood. It is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection and many other diseases.
Procedure Code: CPT 85025 |
$16.36 | $8.54 | $55.08 |
| Creatinine Level, Blood | A test to measure the level of creatinine in your blood. Creatinine has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function As the kidneys become impaired the creatinine level in the blood will rise.
Procedure Code: CPT 82565 |
$11.52 | $5.29 | $22.47 |
| Culture, Bacteria | A process to determine the presence of an infectious disease. Does not include samples of urine, blood or stool.
Procedure Code: CPT 87070 |
$17.93 | $10.82 | $39.07 |
| Culture, Urine | Test is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Procedure Code: CPT 87086 |
$13.95 | $8.99 | $42.19 |
| Drug Screening, Single | A test to determine the level of a specific medication in the blood.
Procedure Code: CPT 80101 |
$15.89 | $12.16 | $35.46 |
| Glucose Test | A test to measure the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Procedure Code: CPT 82947 |
$8.50 | $4.33 | $19.68 |
| Hemoglobin A1c Blood Test | A blood test used primarily to monitor the glucose (sugar) control, of a patient with diabetes, over time. The A1c test gives a picture of the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last few months.
Procedure Code: CPT 83036 |
$21.52 | $10.83 | $50.19 |
| Hemoglobin – Blood Count | A test to measure the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Procedure Code: CPT 85018 |
$4.41 | $2.73 | $19.32 |
| Lipid Panel | A blood test that measures lipids - fats and fatty substances used as a source of energy in your body. Lipids include cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Procedure Code: CPT 80061 |
$27.68 | $14.51 | $74.33 |
| Metabolic Panel, Basic | A group of 8 tests that provide important information about the current status of kidneys, electrolyte and acid/base balance, blood sugar and calcium levels.
Procedure Code: CPT 80048 |
$23.27 | $8.74 | $61.03 |
| Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive | A group of 14 tests that provide important information about the current status of kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as blood sugar and blood proteins.
Procedure Code: CPT 80053 |
$24.99 | $11.23 | $107.84 |
| Prothrombin | A blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot.
Procedure Code: CPT 85610 |
$10.39 | $4.74 | $27.31 |
| Streptococcus, Group A | This test is used to determine whether a patient has pharyngitis (sore throat) that is due to a group A streptococcal infection.
Procedure Code: CPT 87880 |
$20.01 | $23.46 | $35.58 |
| Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) | A blood test used to check for problems with the thyroid gland.
Procedure Code: CPT 84443 |
$32.75 | $17.89 | $68.27 |
| Transferase – Alanine Amino (ALT) | A test to measure the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is measured to see if the liver is diseased or damaged.
Procedure Code: CPT 84460 |
$10.80 | $5.34 | $26.45 |
| Transferase – Aspartate Amino (AST) | A test to measure the amount of this enzyme in the blood. AST is measured to see if the liver is diseased or damaged.
Procedure Code: CPT 84450 |
$11.59 | $5.26 | $24.16 |
| Urinalysis by Dipstick, without Microscopy | Analysis of urine using a dipstick that is inserted into the sample. The test can disclose evidence of diseases, even some that have not caused significant signs or symptoms.
Procedure Code: CPT 81002 |
$3.75 | $3.24 | $25.76 |
| Urinalysis, with Microscopy | The analysis of urine under the microscope. The test can disclose evidence of diseases, even some that have not caused significant signs or symptoms.
Procedure Code: CPT 81001 |
$7.71 | $3.54 | $27.53 |
| Urinalysis, without Microscopy | Analysis of urine by direct visual observation of the urine—noting its quantity, color, clarity or cloudiness, etc. The test can disclose evidence of diseases, even some that have not caused significant signs or symptoms. Procedure Code: CPT 81003 |
$4.98 | $2.30 | $16.78 |
Questions to ask.
If your physician has ordered a medical test, you’ll want to make sure the test is appropriate and the results are accurate. Here are some questions to ask.Why is this test being done?
Talk to your physician about how this test applies to your medical condition. What will it detect? Will it need to be repeated and if so, how often?
Is there any preparation I need to do prior to having the test?
Find out if you need to avoid any food or liquids before the test. Check if there are any medications you should or should not take before the test is performed. Ask if the test should be performed at a certain time of day.
Can I have a copy of the test order?
To help ensure that you receive the right test, ask your physician to provide you with a copy of the test order. When you go to have the test done, be sure to ask the health care professional to explain what type of test they are doing.
When can I expect the test results?
Ask the health care staff when the test results will be ready. Find out how they will notify your physician about the results. If you don’t receive your test results in the expected amount of time, be sure to follow-up with your physician.
Where can I have the test done?
If you are admitted to the hospital, laboratory tests will likely be performed as part of your care. Other times, your physician may order a test that can be completed at a site of your choosing. In most cases, your clinic or a stand-alone lab facility that only provides lab services, such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, can meet your needs.
How much does it cost?
Prices can vary by procedure and facility. Generally, laboratory services performed in a hospital setting are more expensive than in other settings such as your primary care clinic or a stand-alone lab facility such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp. Talk to your physician about cost.