STD testing costs anywhere from $0 to about $400, depending on how many infections you’re screening for, where you go, and whether you have insurance. A single test for one infection might run $25 to $100 out of pocket, while a comprehensive panel covering 8 to 10 infections typically costs $140 to $400. Many people with insurance pay nothing at all.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans are required to cover a set of preventive services, including STD screening tests, at no cost to you. That means no copay, no coinsurance, and no need to meet your deductible first. This applies to Marketplace plans, employer-sponsored plans, and most other ACA-compliant coverage, as long as you use an in-network provider.
There are exceptions. Grandfathered plans that existed before the ACA took effect don’t have to follow these rules. Short-term health plans and health-sharing ministries are also exempt. And “no cost” only applies to preventive screening. If you go in with symptoms and your provider orders diagnostic tests rather than routine screening, you could be billed differently. The practical difference: if you’re going for a regular checkup and ask to be screened, it’s more likely to be covered than if you show up with symptoms and get tested as part of a diagnostic workup.
Medicaid coverage for STD testing varies by state. Preventive screening for children is generally covered, but for adults, STD testing is an optional benefit that each state decides whether to include. Most states do offer some coverage, but the specific infections covered and any associated costs differ. If you’re on Medicaid, calling the number on your card before your visit can save you a surprise bill.
Out-of-Pocket Costs at a Clinic
If you’re paying without insurance, your total cost depends on the type of facility. Planned Parenthood and similar reproductive health clinics often use sliding-scale fees based on income, with testing ranging from $0 to $250. County and city sexual health clinics tend to charge a flat visit fee. San Diego County’s sexual health clinic, for example, charges $40 per visit, which covers the exam, lab tests, treatment, and any follow-up visits within 30 days. If you can’t afford the fee, many public clinics will waive it. HIV testing at these clinics is frequently free.
At a private doctor’s office or urgent care center, costs are generally higher because you’re paying for both an office visit and the lab work separately. The office visit alone can run $100 to $250, and lab fees are added on top. This is the scenario where costs climb fastest for uninsured patients.
At-Home Test Kit Pricing
Mail-in test kits let you collect a sample at home (usually a swab, urine sample, or finger-prick blood spot) and send it to a lab. Prices range from about $25 for a single-infection test to $400 for the most comprehensive panels. Here’s how the major brands break down:
- STDcheck: $24 to $259. Individual tests start at $24, a 10-test panel runs $139, and an early-detection HIV RNA test costs $259.
- PrioritySTD: $59 to $198. A chlamydia and gonorrhea panel is $119, and a 10-panel test covering chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, herpes 1 and 2, and HIV is $198.
- Everlywell: $69 to $253, depending on the panel size.
- LetsGetChecked: $99 to $249. A basic chlamydia and gonorrhea test is $99, a 5-test panel adding HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis is $149, and their most comprehensive 8-test panel is $249.
- myLAB Box: $59 to $399. Their mid-range “Uber Box” covers 8 infections for $199, while the “Total Box” covers 9 infections plus HPV for $369 to $399.
- Quest: $52 to $282. Individual kits start around $49, and a 7-test panel is $282.
At-home kits don’t include a doctor’s visit fee, which is part of their appeal. But they also don’t include treatment. If a result comes back positive, you’ll still need to see a provider for a prescription, which adds cost. Some services, like STDcheck and LetsGetChecked, offer a telehealth consultation as part of a positive result, but that varies by brand.
Single Tests vs. Full Panels
If you know exactly what you’re concerned about, a single test is the cheapest option. A standalone chlamydia or gonorrhea test can be as low as $24 to $60 through an at-home service. An HIV test alone often costs $25 to $75, and many public health clinics offer it free.
Panels are more cost-effective per infection tested. A 10-test panel from STDcheck costs $139, which works out to under $14 per infection. Buying those same 10 tests individually would cost several times more. If you’re getting tested as part of a new relationship, after unprotected sex, or as a routine annual screen, a panel gives you a more complete picture for a fraction of the à la carte price.
The most commonly recommended screening panel covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C. Herpes testing is not usually included in standard panels at clinics because blood tests for herpes are unreliable in people without symptoms. At-home kits often include herpes type 2 in their larger panels, but it’s worth knowing that a positive herpes blood test in someone with no symptoms has a high false-positive rate.
Free and Low-Cost Options
Several paths lead to $0 testing. Community health centers and Title X-funded clinics provide STD testing on a sliding fee scale, and many will test you for free if your income qualifies. Local health departments in most cities and counties run sexual health clinics with free or low-cost testing, especially for HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. College health centers often provide free screening to enrolled students.
Planned Parenthood operates over 600 health centers nationwide and adjusts fees based on income. Some locations offer specific free testing events or participate in public health programs that cover the full cost. Calling ahead or checking the website for your nearest location will give you the most accurate pricing.
If you have insurance but are worried about privacy (for example, if you’re on a parent’s plan), many public clinics operate on a cash-only basis and don’t bill insurance at all. San Diego County’s sexual health clinics, for instance, don’t accept any insurance. The tradeoff is paying out of pocket, but the visit stays off your insurance records entirely.