How much does a blood test cost without insurance?
For routine blood work paid out of pocket, the hospital cash (self-pay) price is what matters. As of mid-2026, common tests at hospitals run roughly:
- Complete blood count (CBC) — cash price around $62 (most fall between $16 and $156). See CBC prices →
- Basic metabolic panel — around $93 ($21–$390). See prices →
- Comprehensive metabolic panel — around $122 ($26–$540). See prices →
- Lipid (cholesterol) panel — around $87 ($23–$320). See prices →
- Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes) — around $62 ($18–$190). See prices →
- TSH (thyroid) — around $89 ($28–$294). See prices →
- Vitamin D — around $121 ($33–$314). See prices →
- PSA (prostate) — around $92 ($25–$246). See prices →
- Urinalysis — around $43 ($9–$195). See prices →
Those are figures for a single test. A typical doctor's visit often orders several at once, so an out-of-pocket lab bill of $150–$400 is common — and that's before the separate fee some hospitals charge just for drawing your blood.
Why the hospital cash price is so much higher than the insured rate
Here's the surprising part. For blood tests, the cash price is usually several times higher than the rate an insurer actually pays. A CBC has a median negotiated (insured) rate around $14, but a median cash price around $62. A comprehensive metabolic panel is about $21 negotiated versus $122 cash.
This is the opposite of big imaging like MRIs, where the cash price is sometimes the better deal. For labs, the insured rate is almost always far lower — so if you have insurance, use it. If you don't, the hospital is rarely the cheapest place to go.
The cheapest way to get a blood test
- Use an independent lab. Quest and Labcorp patient-pay prices, retail clinics, and pharmacy lab counters are often a fraction of a hospital's cash price for the exact same test.
- Try a direct-to-consumer lab. Many tests can be ordered online without a doctor's visit and run $10–$50 — useful for routine monitoring like cholesterol or A1c.
- Ask for the cash price up front, in writing. If a hospital quotes far more than the published figure, point to its own price file.
- Have the draw done at the doctor's office. A hospital outpatient lab can carry a facility fee that an independent clinic doesn't.
The three prices you'll see
- Cash / self-pay price — what you pay directly without insurance. Your number if you're uninsured.
- Negotiated price — the rate your insurance plan pays. For labs this is usually the lowest of the three.
- Gross / chargemaster price — the list price before any discount (a CBC's is around $111). Almost nobody pays it.
More on how these differ: cash vs. negotiated vs. chargemaster →
How to find your price
- Look up the exact test. "Blood test" isn't one price — search the specific panel in the procedures list.
- Compare a few hospitals and an independent lab before you book, if it isn't urgent.
- Confirm the current number, since published files are dated and can lag.
A note on accuracy
These figures come straight from each hospital's federally-mandated price file (required since 2021 under 45 CFR §180) — not estimates. They're for comparison; your actual bill depends on exactly which tests are ordered and where they're run. How we source this →
Frequently asked questions
Is a blood test cheaper without insurance?
Usually not at a hospital. For most blood tests the cash (self-pay) price is several times higher than the insured negotiated rate — a CBC is roughly $62 cash versus about $14 negotiated. If you have insurance, use it. If you don't, an independent or direct-to-consumer lab is often far cheaper than a hospital.
How much does a CBC (complete blood count) cost?
At hospitals the cash price has a median around $62, with most falling between $16 and $156. The insured negotiated rate is much lower — a median near $14. Independent labs often charge less than the hospital cash price.
Why is the same blood test so much more at one lab than another?
Each hospital and lab sets its own prices and negotiates separately with insurers, so there's no national price. The cash price for one routine test can range from under $20 to well over $150 depending on where you go.
Can I get a blood test without a doctor's order?
Often, yes. Direct-to-consumer lab services let you order many common tests online without a visit, then get your blood drawn at a partner location. For routine monitoring this can be the cheapest option.
Related
Prices in this guide are as of June 2026 and link to the live page for current figures. Published data is for comparison, not a quote — always confirm with the hospital. Spotted something off? Submit a correction.