Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
Tired of asking “what’ll this cost me?” and getting nothing but shrugs? If you’re heading to Quest Diagnostics for blood work, the price can swing wildly based on whether you’re insured, uninsured, or smart enough to sidestep the markup.
Let’s break down exactly what you’ll pay, with and without insurance—and how to avoid getting screwed by billing games.
🧾 Quest Diagnostics Blood Work Cost Table (2025)
Test |
Cash Price |
Insurance (Average OOP) |
Discounted (Online/Lab Card) |
|---|---|---|---|
CBC (Complete Blood Count) |
$30 – $70 |
$15 – $60 (copay or coinsurance) |
$15 – $35 |
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel) |
$50 – $120 |
$25 – $95 |
$25 – $60 |
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol) |
$40 – $90 |
$20 – $85 |
$20 – $45 |
Thyroid Panel (TSH, T3, T4) |
$70 – $150 |
$40 – $110 |
$35 – $75 |
A1C (Diabetes) |
$35 – $75 |
$15 – $60 |
$20 – $40 |
STD Panel (5+ tests) |
$150 – $400 |
$100 – $300 |
$75 – $200 |
Vitamin D |
$60 – $110 |
$30 – $95 |
$30 – $55 |
⚠️ Insurance-based costs depend on your deductible, lab network status, and plan structure. Many people get hit with the full retail cost if their deductible hasn’t been met.
🧠 How Insurance Really Works at Quest
Here’s what your insurance card doesn’t tell you:
- ✅ Preventive blood work (like a basic lipid or A1C) may be covered at 100% under ACA-compliant plans—but only if coded correctly and ordered during a preventive visit.
- ❌ Diagnostic testing (like thyroid, STD, or vitamin levels) often isn’t free and will apply to your deductible.
- 🧾 “Allowed amounts” vary by carrier, meaning you could owe anywhere from $20 to $300+ for the exact same test, depending on the billing pipeline.
Pro tip: Call your insurer and ask for the CPT code costs at Quest, before the test. Yes, it’s a pain—but so is a $387 bill for “routine labs.”
🔍 Example: Same Test, Three Costs
Scenario |
Out-of-Pocket Cost |
|---|---|
Uninsured, walk-in to Quest |
$110 |
Insured, deductible not met |
$85 |
Ordered via telehealth w/ discount lab card |
$38 |
📦 How to Pay Less for Quest Labs
Here’s how you avoid the scammy retail markup:
- 💻 Use Direct-to-Consumer Lab Ordering
Sites like RequestATest, Walk-In Lab, and HealthLabs.com offer prepaid Quest blood tests with deep discounts. - 🧑⚕️ Book Through a Telehealth Provider
Services like Sesame Care or Strut Health include blood test orders + follow-ups at a flat price. - 💳 Show a Lab Coupon at Checkout
Platforms like SingleCare or GoodRx Labs sometimes have Quest-compatible lab test coupons. - 🚫 Skip Insurance When It’s Not Worth It
If your deductible’s high, the “insured” price may be worse than a prepaid cash option.
🧾 Real Bills from Real People
“Quest charged me $187 for a CMP and A1C. My doctor didn’t warn me it wasn’t coded as preventive.”
– Submitted to CostHowMuch.com by J in Florida
“My plan showed Quest in-network, but they billed it out-of-network after the doctor forgot to update my info. $302 for one thyroid test.”
– CHM user in New Jersey
📍 What Affects Your Quest Lab Bill?
- ❓ Was it preventive or diagnostic?
- 🏥 Was it ordered during a routine checkup?
- 🧾 Did your deductible reset?
- 📋 Did your doctor use the correct codes?
- 🏷️ Did you ask for a cash quote first? (You should.)
✅ TL;DR
Cost Type |
Price Range |
|---|---|
Cash Without Insurance |
$30 – $400+ per test |
Insurance-Based Average |
$15 – $300 per test |
Discounted (Lab Cards) |
$15 – $200 per test |
🔚 Bottom Line: Ask First or Get Burned
Your $60 blood test might cost $290 if you let the system take the wheel. Use online tools and call ahead!!
