STD testing typically costs between $0 and $250 for most people, though the final price depends on how many infections you’re screening for and where you go. A single test for one infection can cost under $50, while a comprehensive panel covering multiple STDs can run anywhere from $100 to nearly $500 at some labs. The good news: many people qualify for free or reduced-cost testing, and insurance often covers the most common screenings at no charge.
Cost by Testing Location
Where you get tested is the single biggest factor in what you’ll pay. Here’s how the main options compare.
Public health clinics and community health centers are the most affordable option. Many city and county health departments operate sexual health clinics that offer free testing, particularly for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The CDC maintains a searchable directory at gettested.cdc.gov to help you find these clinics. Even when these sites do charge, fees are typically on a sliding scale based on your income, so the cost can be as low as $0.
Planned Parenthood locations offer STD testing on a similar sliding scale. Costs range from $0 to $400, with the wide range reflecting the difference between someone who qualifies for state-funded programs and someone paying full price out of pocket without insurance. If you qualify for income-based discounts or state programs, your cost drops significantly. Your exact price is determined after a consultation.
National labs with direct-to-consumer ordering tend to be the most expensive route. Labcorp OnDemand, for example, charges $489 for its complete STI panel. A customized panel with additional tests can run $638. These services let you order tests yourself without a doctor’s visit, which is convenient but comes at a premium.
At-home test kits fall in the middle. Everlywell kits range from $69 to $253 depending on how many infections you’re testing for. LetsGetChecked kits run $99 to $249. You collect your own sample (usually a finger prick, urine sample, or swab) and mail it to a lab. Results typically come back within a few days.
What Insurance Covers
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover certain STD screenings as preventive services with no copay or deductible. But the coverage isn’t universal for every test or every person. The specific screenings that qualify depend on your age, sex, and risk factors.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is covered at no cost for sexually active women aged 24 and younger, and for older women at increased risk. Syphilis screening is covered for adolescents and adults at increased risk, plus all pregnant women. HPV testing is covered for women aged 30 to 65 as part of cervical cancer screening. HIV screening is broadly covered as a preventive service for adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65.
Men without specific risk factors may not have the same no-cost coverage for chlamydia or gonorrhea screening. If your test falls outside the preventive guidelines, your insurance may still cover it but could apply your deductible or a copay. It’s worth calling your insurer before your appointment to confirm what’s covered.
Single Tests vs. Full Panels
You don’t always need a full panel. If you have a specific concern, like a known exposure to chlamydia, a single test will cost much less than screening for everything at once. Individual tests for common infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis typically cost $30 to $100 each when paying out of pocket at a clinic or through a doctor’s office.
A full STD panel usually tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B or C. Some panels also include herpes and trichomoniasis. The more infections included, the higher the price. If you’re getting tested as part of routine screening or because you have a new partner, a broader panel gives you a more complete picture, but it’s not always necessary. Your provider can help you decide which tests make sense based on your situation and sexual history.
Watch for Separate Billing
One cost that catches people off guard is the split between the clinic visit and the lab work. Many clinics bill the office visit and the laboratory testing as two separate charges. A sexual health clinic in Baltimore, for instance, bills the consultation through the health department while lab work processed through Labcorp generates a separate bill. If you’re paying out of pocket, ask upfront whether the quoted price includes both the visit and the lab processing, or just one of the two.
This is especially relevant at urgent care centers and private doctor’s offices, where an office visit alone can run $100 to $200 before lab fees are added on top.
How to Find Free or Low-Cost Testing
If cost is a barrier, you have several solid options. The CDC’s GetTested tool lets you search by zip code for nearby clinics offering free or low-cost STD testing. Local health departments frequently run dedicated sexual health clinics, and many provide confidential testing regardless of your ability to pay. Community health centers funded by the federal government also offer sliding-scale pricing.
Planned Parenthood locations are available in most states and will work with you on pricing. College health centers often provide free or discounted testing for enrolled students. Some pharmacies and community organizations run periodic free testing events, particularly around National STD Awareness Month in April. If you have Medicaid, STD testing is generally covered with no out-of-pocket cost.
For anyone uninsured and not near a free clinic, at-home kits starting around $69 can be a practical middle ground, offering privacy and convenience without the higher prices of direct-to-consumer lab orders.