STD testing can cost anywhere from nothing to over $250, depending on where you go, what infections you test for, and whether you have insurance. Most people with insurance can get key screenings at no out-of-pocket cost under preventive care rules. Without insurance, you still have affordable options ranging from free public health clinics to at-home test kits.
What Insurance Covers at No Cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans must cover certain STI screenings with zero copay when they carry an “A” or “B” recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These currently include chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for all sexually active women 24 and younger (and older women at increased risk), HIV screening for adolescents and adults, hepatitis B screening for those at increased risk, and hepatitis C screening for adults 18 to 79.
The catch is that these mandates apply to specific populations and risk groups. If you’re a man requesting a routine chlamydia test, for example, your plan may not be required to cover it as preventive care, which means you could face a copay or the full lab fee. Before scheduling, call your insurance company and ask whether the specific tests you want are classified as preventive. That single question can be the difference between a $0 visit and a surprise bill.
Costs Without Insurance
If you’re paying out of pocket at a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic, expect two separate charges: an office visit fee and lab fees for each test ordered. The office visit alone for an initial consultation typically runs $100 to $250, depending on the provider and your location. Lab fees vary widely by test. A single chlamydia or gonorrhea test might cost $50 to $100, while a comprehensive panel covering HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can reach $200 to $400 in lab charges alone.
These prices add up quickly. A full STD panel at a private clinic without insurance can easily total $300 to $600 when you combine the visit fee, specimen collection, and individual lab costs. Institutional “list prices” for uninsured patients are generally higher than what insurance companies actually pay for the same tests, so you’re often paying a premium for not having coverage.
Planned Parenthood and Sliding Scale Pricing
Planned Parenthood clinics offer STD testing on a sliding fee scale based on your household size and income. If you’re not using insurance or a state-funded program, you’ll be placed into one of five income groups. A single person earning under roughly $1,255 per month qualifies for the lowest tier, where office visits and STI treatment with medication cost $0.
For those in higher income brackets, prices scale up but remain well below private clinic rates. An STI-related office visit ranges from $91 to $229 depending on your income group. STI treatment with medication ranges from $58 to $144. These bundled prices cover the visit and basic services together, so you’re less likely to encounter unexpected add-on charges. You’ll need to bring proof of income, and not all Planned Parenthood locations use the same fee schedule, so check with your local clinic.
Free Testing at Public Health Departments
County and city health departments operate STI clinics that prioritize access over payment. Maricopa County’s STI clinic, as one example, states it provides care “regardless of your ability to pay or whether you have insurance.” Many of these clinics are beginning to bill insurance when available but will still see patients who can’t pay or don’t want to use their insurance.
The trade-offs with public health clinics are practical ones: limited hours, longer wait times, and fewer locations compared to private options. Some only test for specific infections like HIV and syphilis rather than offering a full panel. But if cost is your primary barrier, a local health department clinic is often the cheapest route available. Search “[your county] STD testing” to find the nearest option.
At-Home Test Kit Prices
Mail-in STD test kits let you collect a sample at home and send it to a certified lab. They’re convenient and private, but they cost more than most clinic-based options for uninsured patients at sliding-scale facilities.
Everlywell offers sexual health test kits ranging from $69 to $253, with free shipping. If you test positive, Everlywell connects you with a physician at no extra charge to discuss results and treatment. LetsGetChecked kits run $99 to $249, also with free shipping. However, LetsGetChecked charges $39 for a follow-up consultation if you need to discuss a positive result, a fee that’s easy to overlook when comparing sticker prices.
The price difference between the low and high end of these ranges reflects how many infections you’re testing for. A single-infection kit (chlamydia only, for instance) sits at the low end, while a comprehensive panel covering six or more infections hits the top of the range. If you only need one or two specific tests, a targeted kit can be a reasonable deal. For a full panel, a sliding-scale clinic will almost always be cheaper.
How to Minimize Your Cost
Your cheapest path depends on your situation. If you have insurance, start with your primary care provider and confirm the tests qualify as preventive care before the appointment. You should pay nothing for covered screenings.
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, check your local health department first for free testing. Planned Parenthood is the next best option, especially if you need treatment included. At-home kits make sense when privacy or convenience matters more than price, or when you only need one or two targeted tests and want results without scheduling an appointment.
One cost people overlook: treatment. Testing positive means you’ll need medication, and that carries its own expense. Some clinics bundle treatment into the visit cost, while others charge separately. Planned Parenthood’s sliding scale, for example, includes a treatment-with-medication bundle ranging from $0 to $144. At a private pharmacy, antibiotics for chlamydia or gonorrhea are relatively inexpensive, but antiviral medications for herpes or HIV can be significantly more. When choosing where to get tested, ask upfront whether treatment is included or what it would cost if needed.