How Much Does a Pregnancy Test Cost?
Key takeaways:
Over-the-counter pregnancy tests cost less than $15. Reliable pregnancy tests are even sold at dollar stores.
Under the Affordable Care Act, marketplace health insurance plans must cover essential health benefits, which include pregnancy services and laboratory services. You may have out-of-pocket costs such as a copay or deductible.
Free pregnancy tests may be available at community health centers, family planning clinics, adoption services groups, and other organizations in your area.
Urine pregnancy tests were developed about a century ago. Today’s tests measure the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to detect pregnancy. If used correctly at home, the sensitivity of these tests allows for detection of pregnancy as early as 1 day after a missed menstrual period. Urine tests also are used in healthcare settings.
A serum test, or blood test, detects hCG more reliably. Blood tests for pregnancy are usually performed in medical settings.
Confirming a pregnancy early can be beneficial to your health and the healthy development of the baby. That’s because you have the opportunity to seek prenatal care as recommended in the first trimester.
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If you are seeking an abortion, early notice of a pregnancy expands your options, lowers the costs of care, and reduces the chances of complications.
What’s the average cost of an over-the-counter pregnancy test?
The typical cost of an over-the-counter pregnancy test depends on whether you test your urine or your blood.
Urine tests are very affordable — ranging from less than $1 to about $15. You also can receive your results in minutes.
A blood test for pregnancy — also called a serum test — will cost more but is more accurate than a urine test. These tests also detect the presence of hCG. You can order this test online without a doctor visit, but you must visit a lab for the blood draw.
For instance, a $49 LabCorp pregnancy test can be purchased online by people age 18 and older, but you must go to a LabCorp location for the blood draw, then receive your results online. You can pay for this test with funds from your health savings account (HSA) or your flexible spending account (FSA).
How much does a pregnancy test from a medical provider cost?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), marketplace health insurance plans must cover essential health benefits, which include pregnancy services and laboratory services. You may have out-of-pocket costs such as a copay or deductible.
A pregnancy test from a medical provider usually costs more than a home test or a test ordered online.
A medical provider may request a urine sample but often performs a blood test.
GoodRx Care offers pregnancy testing for people age 18 to 65 for $39, which includes the virtual visit. The provider orders a blood test for you at a local lab in your area. Pregnancy tests on the GoodRx online marketplace are all less than $50.
An in-person pregnancy evaluation at a CVS MinuteClinic costs $89 plus additional lab fees. This service includes a urine test, diagnosis, review of medical history, prenatal counseling, and referrals for additional testing.
Even if you don’t visit a retail health clinic or convenience clinic, your blood test from a medical provider typically will include the cost of the visit as well as lab services. As mentioned before, you may be responsible for sharing out-of-pocket costs if you have insurance.
Can you get pregnancy tests from dollar stores? Are they reliable?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates home-use tests, including pregnancy tests. A urine pregnancy test can cost less than $1 at Walmart. The pregnancy tests sold at dollar stores are also reliable. There are many different brands and types of over-the-counter pregnancy tests available in local pharmacies and grocery stores that cost less than $15. Some of these tests are sold in multiple packs with two or more tests. You may want an extra test to confirm your result or to check again for pregnancy in the near future.
It’s important to check the expiration date on your pregnancy test. The chemicals may not provide an accurate result after the expiration date.
Does insurance cover pregnancy tests?
Under the ACA, marketplace health insurance plans must cover essential health benefits such as pregnancy services and laboratory services. You may have out-of-pocket costs such as a copay or deductible.
Many private insurance plans will cover pregnancy tests — urine tests or blood tests — as well as an ultrasound for additional confirmation. These services often come with out-of-pocket expenses.
Original Medicare and some Medicare Advantage plans also cover pregnancy tests.
Laboratory services must be covered under every Medicaid program. You should check with your state Medicaid program for details.
Can you get pregnancy tests for free?
Yes, free pregnancy tests may be available in your area. They may be found at:
Health departments
Federally qualified health centers, or FQHCs
Family planning clinics, such as Planned Parenthood
Adoption services groups
Are there alternatives to pregnancy tests?
Your symptoms can alert you to a pregnancy. Symptoms of pregnancy include but are not limited to:
Fatigue
Missed period
Nausea and vomiting
Spotting
Trouble sleeping
Your medical provider also may perform an ultrasound to confirm a pregnancy.
The bottom line
Pregnancy tests check urine or blood samples for the hormone called hCG. Over-the-counter pregnancy tests can cost less than $1 but typically aren’t more than $15 for one test. A blood test ordered online and performed in a lab near you costs more but is usually less than $50.
If you have an in-person visit at a retail health clinic or with your doctor, you may pay even more, considering the office visit and laboratory fees. Pregnancy tests are often covered by insurance. Symptoms may also alert you to pregnancy. An ultrasound with your medical provider, if needed, can confirm whether you are pregnant.
Why trust our experts?
CVS Pharmacy. (2019). Price list.
Haller, S. (2019). Do dollar store pregnancy tests actually work? USA Today.
Health Resources and Services Administration. (n.d.). Find a health center.
Kennedy, C. E., et al. (2022). Self-testing for pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open.
LabCorp OnDemand. (n.d.). Pregnancy test (hCG quantitative).
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Mandatory & optional Medicaid benefits.
Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). Pregnancy tests.
Ralph, L. J., et al. (2022). Home pregnancy test use and timing of pregnancy confirmation among people seeking health care. Contraception.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Pregnancy.
Walmart. (n.d.). Equate first signal one step pregnancy test.
