STI testing costs anywhere from $0 to about $280, depending on how many infections you’re testing for and where you go. A single test for one infection like syphilis can run as low as $52, while a comprehensive panel covering five or more infections typically costs $149 to $282 out of pocket. Many people qualify for free testing, and insurance often covers it completely.
Cost Per Individual Test
Prices vary significantly depending on which infection you’re testing for. Quest Health, one of the largest direct-to-consumer lab services, lists the following prices for individual tests:
- Syphilis: $52
- Trichomoniasis: $79
- HIV 1 & 2: $85
- Hepatitis B: $99
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea (combined): $105
- Herpes (HSV 1 & 2): $105
- HPV (cervical cancer risk): $99
These are lab-only prices. Quest also charges a physician service fee starting at $6, since a healthcare provider must officially order the test. That fee covers a provider reviewing your results and following up if anything comes back positive.
Panel Pricing for Multiple STIs
If you’re getting a routine screening or haven’t been tested in a while, a panel that covers several infections at once is more cost-effective than ordering tests individually. A basic panel covering the most common infections runs about $149 at Quest, while an expanded panel that adds herpes, hepatitis, and other infections costs around $282.
Planned Parenthood estimates testing costs between $0 and $250 depending on which infections are included and your ability to pay. Their pricing adjusts based on your income through a sliding scale, so the number you’d pay could be well below the sticker price.
At-Home Test Kit Prices
At-home kits let you collect a sample (usually urine, a swab, or a finger-prick blood spot) and mail it to a lab. They cost more than going to a lab directly, but some people prefer the privacy and convenience. Current pricing for popular brands:
- LetsGetChecked Standard 5: $149
- Everlywell STD Test (5-panel): $169
- Nurx Full Control STI Home Test Kit: $220, plus a $14.50 service fee without insurance (or $29.50 with insurance)
These kits typically cover chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and either hepatitis C or trichomoniasis. Results usually come back within a few days, and the service fee covers a provider consultation if you test positive.
What Insurance Covers at No Cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover certain STI screenings with zero out-of-pocket cost for eligible groups. The catch is that coverage depends on your age, sex, and risk factors. Here’s what qualifies as a free preventive service:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea: Free for sexually active women 24 and younger, and for older women at increased risk
- Syphilis: Free for anyone at increased risk, all pregnant women, and at-risk adolescents
- HPV screening: Free for women aged 21 to 65 as part of cervical cancer screening
- STI and HIV counseling: Free for all sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk
These rules apply to ACA-compliant plans, which includes most employer-sponsored and marketplace insurance. If your plan is grandfathered (meaning it existed before the ACA and hasn’t been substantially changed), these mandates may not apply. The key detail: you need to be getting a “screening,” meaning you don’t have symptoms and are testing as a preventive measure. If you go in with symptoms, it becomes a diagnostic test, and your plan’s regular cost-sharing (copays, deductibles) may kick in.
Men generally have fewer no-cost-sharing guarantees for STI screening under these rules, with the exception of syphilis testing for those at increased risk. HIV testing, however, is covered as a separate preventive service for everyone aged 15 to 65.
Free and Low-Cost Testing Options
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, several options can bring costs down to zero. The CDC maintains a testing locator at gettested.cdc.gov where you can search by ZIP code to find clinics offering free or low-cost confidential testing near you. These include local health departments, community health centers, and sexual health clinics.
Planned Parenthood health centers use a sliding fee scale based on your income. You don’t necessarily need documentation to qualify, though requirements vary by location. Many people pay significantly less than the listed price, and some pay nothing. College health centers also frequently offer free or discounted testing for enrolled students, often bundled into the health fees you’re already paying.
Extra Fees to Watch For
The price you see for a test doesn’t always reflect the total bill. A few common add-ons can surprise you:
- Office visit or consultation fee: If you’re tested at a doctor’s office or urgent care, you’ll likely pay for the visit itself on top of the lab work. This can add $100 to $300 depending on your insurance and the facility.
- Specimen collection fee: Drawing blood carries a small collection charge. Medicare sets this at about $9, and private labs charge similar amounts.
- Physician oversight fee: Direct-to-consumer labs like Quest charge a provider fee starting at $6 because a licensed clinician must authorize and review your test.
When comparing prices, check whether the listed cost includes the provider visit or just the lab work. At-home kits and direct-to-consumer lab orders typically bundle everything into one price, which makes them easier to budget for even if the sticker price looks higher.
What a Positive Result Could Cost
Testing is only the first expense if something comes back positive. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are treated with antibiotics, which are generally inexpensive. Generic antibiotics for these infections often cost under $30 at a pharmacy, sometimes less with discount programs like GoodRx.
Viral infections carry higher long-term costs. Managing genital herpes with antiviral medication can mean ongoing prescriptions. HIV treatment involves daily medication and regular lab monitoring, with annual care costs that can run into thousands of dollars without insurance, though most states have assistance programs that cover treatment for uninsured patients. HPV-related follow-up after an abnormal screening, including additional testing and procedures, has been estimated at over $1,200 per case.
Many of the same clinics that offer free testing also connect patients with low-cost treatment or patient assistance programs. If cost is a barrier, starting at a public health clinic or Planned Parenthood gives you access to both testing and a path to affordable treatment in one visit.