A pulmonary function test (PFT) costs between $150 and $1,200 without insurance in the United States. The biggest factor in where you land within that range is the type of facility where the test is performed. A local physician’s office charges $150 to $350, an outpatient clinic runs $200 to $500, and a hospital-based testing center can bill $500 to $1,200 for the same basic evaluation.
Why the Price Varies So Much
The wide cost range comes down to three main factors: where the test happens, what’s included, and where you live geographically.
Facility type is the single largest driver. Hospitals carry higher overhead costs, including staffing, equipment maintenance, and administrative infrastructure, all of which get built into your bill. Hospital outpatient departments have historically charged significantly more than independent practices for comparable services, with non-physician costs alone running roughly 67% higher in hospital settings. That gap has only widened over the decades as hospital facility fees have grown. If cost is a concern and your doctor gives you a choice of testing location, an independent pulmonology office or freestanding clinic will almost always be cheaper than a hospital.
Geography matters too. Testing in a major metro area like New York or San Francisco typically costs more than in a smaller city or rural area, simply because of differences in rent, wages, and local market pricing.
What “Pulmonary Function Test” Actually Includes
A PFT isn’t one single test. It’s a category that can include several different measurements, and which ones your doctor orders directly affects the total bill. The most common components are:
- Basic spirometry: You blow into a tube as hard and fast as you can. This measures how much air your lungs hold and how quickly you can push it out. It’s the simplest and cheapest test in the group.
- Spirometry with bronchodilator: You do spirometry, inhale a medication that opens your airways, then repeat the test. This helps determine whether airway narrowing is reversible, which is key for diagnosing asthma versus COPD. The cost of the inhaled medication is bundled into the test fee.
- Lung volume measurement: This determines the total capacity of your lungs, including air you can’t voluntarily exhale. It requires a sealed booth or specialized equipment, which adds to the cost.
- Diffusion capacity: You breathe in a small amount of a harmless tracer gas, then breathe out. This measures how efficiently oxygen crosses from your lungs into your bloodstream.
A simple spirometry test sits at the low end of the price range. A full PFT panel that includes lung volumes and diffusion capacity pushes the cost toward the higher end. When your doctor orders a PFT, ask specifically which components are being requested so you can get an accurate price estimate from the facility beforehand.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover pulmonary function tests when they’re ordered to diagnose or monitor a respiratory condition. Common reasons insurers approve PFTs include evaluating shortness of breath, diagnosing asthma or COPD, monitoring lung disease progression, assessing lung function before surgery, and tracking response to treatment.
The key phrase is “medical necessity.” If your doctor documents a clear clinical reason for the test, such as persistent cough, wheezing, or unexplained breathlessness, insurance will generally pay. Your out-of-pocket share depends on your plan’s copay, coinsurance, and whether you’ve met your deductible. For many people with insurance, the actual cost ends up being a copay in the $20 to $75 range, though it can be higher if you haven’t hit your deductible yet.
One thing to watch for: some insurers distinguish between testing done at in-network versus out-of-network facilities. A PFT performed at an out-of-network hospital could leave you with a much larger bill than the same test at an in-network clinic. Always verify network status before scheduling.
How to Reduce Your Cost
If you’re uninsured or facing a high deductible, you have several options to bring the price down. The most straightforward is choosing where you get tested. Opting for a physician’s office or independent outpatient clinic instead of a hospital can cut the cost by half or more.
Many facilities offer a cash-pay or self-pay discount if you ask. This rate is often significantly lower than the list price because the facility avoids the administrative cost of processing insurance claims. Call ahead and specifically ask for the self-pay rate.
Community health centers, which operate on a sliding-fee scale based on income, are another option. These federally funded clinics are required to see patients regardless of ability to pay, and they can either perform basic spirometry on-site or refer you to a facility with negotiated rates. You can find your nearest community health center through Healthcare.gov or by calling 211, a nationwide service that connects people with local resources.
The American Lung Association also maintains a list of financial assistance programs and charitable foundations that help cover out-of-pocket medical costs for people with lung conditions. Tools like the Patient Access Network Foundation’s FundFinder app can alert you when assistance funds become available for your specific diagnosis.
What to Expect During the Test
PFTs are noninvasive and painless, though they do require effort. You’ll sit upright, place your mouth around a mouthpiece with a nose clip on, and follow a technician’s instructions to breathe in specific patterns: deep breaths, fast exhalations, normal breathing. Each maneuver is typically repeated at least three times to ensure consistent results.
The entire appointment usually takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on how many components are ordered. If a bronchodilator is included, there’s a 15-to-20-minute wait between the first and second rounds of spirometry while the medication takes effect. You’ll get results either the same day or within a few days, depending on whether the interpreting physician is on-site.
To get accurate results, you’ll typically be asked to avoid smoking for at least four hours beforehand, skip caffeine the morning of the test, avoid heavy meals, and wear loose clothing that doesn’t restrict your breathing. Your doctor’s office should provide specific preparation instructions when you schedule.