Does insurance cover testing for sexually transmitted infections (STDs)? Unfortunately, this is not an easy question to answer.
How much it costs to be tested for STDs always depends on where you get tested and which tests you have done. If you’re getting tested somewhere that doesn’t accept insurance, you’ll know the cost of testing because it’s likely the same for everyone. However, if you are going somewhere that accepts insurance, the cost of your tests will depend on where you are going and also what type of insurance you have.
If you have insurance, your insurance company will likely pay for the trip to the doctor’s office, urgent care center, or clinic. You may still be charged a co-payment for the visit. How much that co-payment costs depends on where you go and what your insurance charges.
However, your copay is just the price of entry. Health tests of any kind may incur additional charges. Again, whether or not you are charged and how much you are charged depends on your insurance coverage and where you go for testing. The best way to know what is and is not covered is to contact your insurer.
Pros and cons of going to a doctor, clinic or emergency room
Something to keep in mind if you go to a health care provider who accepts your insurance is that your tests and results will be recorded in your medical record and may be reported to your insurance company. It also means that other health care providers you visit may know that you have been tested.
However, some people simply feel more comfortable talking to their doctor about their health problems. While some may feel embarrassed talking to their regular healthcare provider about STDs, others may be more relaxed and have a more open relationship with their doctor.
If you are experiencing symptoms that you think are related to an STD, visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room means that, in the event that your symptoms are caused by something other than an STD, whoever sees you will be able to to determine the cause of the problem and give you the right treatment. Because they don’t specifically focus on testing and treating STDs, they can better diagnose your symptoms and get you the right treatment.
Advantages and disadvantages of getting tested at Priority STD Testing
Because Priority STD Testing does not accept insurance, you always know the price of your test. Priority STD Testing charges a flat fee based on what you will be tested for and how many tests you order. There are no surprises or hidden costs, as can sometimes be the case when using health insurance. This also means that your testing history or results will not go into your health record or be reported to your insurance company.
However, there are some disadvantages to using Priority STD testing. If you’re experiencing symptoms and aren’t sure what’s causing them, you may want to go to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or clinic. Priority STD testing only tests for the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection and not for any other type of infection or problem.
We know that the cost of STD testing or the fear of not knowing how much it will cost can deter people from getting tested. Wherever you go, the most important thing is to get tested and know your status. Practicing safer sex and knowing the status of your partners will also keep you (and your partners) healthy.