STD testing costs anywhere from $0 to $250 or more, depending on how many infections you’re testing for and where you go. A single test for one infection can cost under $50, while a comprehensive panel covering eight or more infections can run $150 to $400. The good news: many people qualify for free or reduced-cost testing, and insurance often covers screening at no charge.
What a Full Panel Costs
A “full panel” typically screens for the most common sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B or C, and sometimes trichomoniasis or herpes. The price depends heavily on where you get tested.
At a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic without insurance, expect to pay $100 to $250 for a multi-infection panel. That price usually includes two separate charges: an office visit fee (often $75 to $150 on its own) and the lab processing fees on top. Some clinics bundle these together, but many don’t, so ask upfront what the total will be before your appointment.
Community health centers and Planned Parenthood locations use income-based sliding scales, which means your cost adjusts based on what you earn. At these clinics, testing can range from $0 to $250. If your income is low enough, you may pay nothing at all.
Individual Test Prices
You don’t always need the full panel. If you’re only concerned about one or two infections, individual tests cost significantly less. A rapid HIV oral swab test runs about $45 at most pharmacies. A syphilis-only test kit costs around $30. A basic chlamydia and gonorrhea urine test is typically $50 to $100 at a clinic.
Testing for herpes is where costs climb if you add it to a panel, because it requires a separate blood draw. Herpes testing isn’t included in most standard panels unless you specifically request it, so clarify what’s actually being tested before assuming you’re getting a complete screen.
At-Home Test Kit Prices
Home test kits let you collect a sample (urine, blood spot from a finger prick, or a swab) and mail it to a lab. Prices vary widely based on how many infections the kit covers.
- Basic 3-infection kits (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis): $89 to $99. The CVS Common STI Test Kit sits at $89.99, and the Wisp Essential kit costs $99.
- Mid-range 4 to 5-infection kits (adding syphilis, hepatitis B or C): $149 to $220. LetsGetChecked’s Standard 5 panel runs $149, and Everlywell’s Panel 5 costs $169.
- Comprehensive 8 to 10-infection kits (adding HIV, herpes, and sometimes HPV): $149 to $399. The STD Rapid Test Kits 8-in-1 costs $149, while myLAB Box’s Total Box panel with HPV testing reaches $399.
Some brands charge extra service fees. Nurx, for example, lists its kit at $220 but adds a $14.50 service fee without insurance. Always check the final checkout price, not just the advertised number.
Home kits are convenient and private, but they have a tradeoff: if you test positive, you’ll still need to visit a provider for treatment, which adds another cost. Some home testing companies include a telehealth consultation in the price; others don’t.
What Insurance Covers
Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurance plans must cover certain STI screenings with zero out-of-pocket cost. This applies to non-grandfathered plans, Medicare, and Medicaid expansion plans. The specifics depend on your age and sex.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is covered at no cost for all sexually active women 24 and younger, and for older women at increased risk. Syphilis screening is covered for pregnant women and for adolescents and adults at increased risk. Cervical cancer screening, which includes HPV testing, is covered for women aged 21 to 65. HIV screening is covered for adolescents and adults in most plans.
The catch: these zero-cost rules apply to “preventive” screening, meaning routine testing when you don’t have symptoms. If you go in with symptoms and your provider codes the visit as diagnostic rather than preventive, your insurance may apply a copay or deductible. This is worth asking about when you schedule the appointment.
Medicaid covers STI testing for children and young adults under 21 through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit, which requires states to provide all medically necessary screening and follow-up services. For adults on Medicaid, coverage varies by state, but most Medicaid expansion plans follow the same ACA preventive service rules.
Free and Low-Cost Testing Options
Free testing is more widely available than most people realize. The CDC maintains a searchable directory at GetTested (gettested.cdc.gov) that locates free or low-cost testing sites near you, including options for self-collection. Local health departments in most counties offer free testing for HIV and syphilis, and many also cover chlamydia and gonorrhea at no charge regardless of insurance status.
Planned Parenthood locations, community health centers, and university health services are other reliable sources. Many university clinics offer STI testing at reduced self-pay rates specifically designed for students. These programs exist because cost and privacy concerns are the two biggest reasons people avoid getting tested.
Paying Privately to Protect Your Privacy
If you’re on a parent’s or spouse’s insurance plan, you might worry about an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) being mailed to the primary policyholder. EOBs list the services billed to the plan, so even though they don’t include test results, they can reveal that STI testing happened.
You have a few options. The simplest is to skip insurance entirely and pay out of pocket at a clinic with sliding-scale fees or use a home test kit. This keeps the visit completely off your insurance record. If you’d prefer to use your insurance, you can contact your insurer beforehand and request that EOBs be sent directly to you rather than the policyholder. Some states have laws requiring insurers to honor this request for sensitive services.
Paying cash at a community clinic for a basic chlamydia and gonorrhea screen often costs $50 to $100, which for many people is a reasonable price for complete privacy. Home kits in the $90 to $150 range serve the same purpose with the added convenience of never visiting a clinic at all.