How Much Does a CBC Blood Test Cost?

A complete blood count test, known as CBC is the most common type of blood test. This test counts the number of cells in the blood, such as red cells, white cells, platelets, TLC, and DLC. Doctors require CBC blood tests to identify if the patient suffers from infections, anemia, inflammation, or even cancer.

In order to perform this test, a blood sample from a vein on your arm will be extracted. A CBC test is also suggested by your doctor as a standard test during an annual checkup.

How much does a CBC blood test cost?

The average cost range of a CBC blood test is somewhere between $10 to $600. The cost is greatly dependent on whether you have insurance or not, the type of insurance coverage, and the facility where you get tested.

In case you do not have any insurance and you choose to do the CBC blood test at an independent laboratory, expect to pay somewhere between $140 and $622. These costs may or may not include the fee for the doctor’s office visit.

However, if you have private insurance or Medicare, the cost will get significantly smaller. For CBC testing at a lab, the cost range is somewhere around $10 to $15. Keep in mind that this cost will be determined by your co-pay.

When getting tested at a hospital without insurance the cost is considerably higher compared to having private insurance or Medicare coverage. For instance, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to more than $85 for a CBC blood test in a hospital setting.

You can find various laboratories online and compare their costs. For example, HealthLabs.com performs the CBC test at the price of $28, at the moment of this writing.

The healthcare provider Compass Healthcare stated that de complete blood count test may cost about $170 in their locations.

According to the research done by Clear Health Costs, the cost range of a CBC blood test is anywhere between $18 to as much as $125, in different facilities.

Keep in mind that the cost may vary depending on your location and your insurance status. For a more accurate cost, contact several local laboratories.

CBC blood work overview

The complete blood count, or CBC, displays a variety of vital information. Usually, it includes:

• White blood cell count (WBC)
• WBC differential count
• Red blood cell count (RBC)
• Hemoglobin (Hbg)
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
• Red cell distribution width (RDW)
• Platelet count
• Mean platelet volume (MPV)

The doctor can use this test to determine your overall health and check whether or not you’re suffering from a health condition or disease. For example, they can detect if you have an infection in your body by the number of white blood cells. Because WBCs are the cells that fight infections, a higher quantity indicates that you have an infection in your system. The low count of red blood cells might also tell the doctor if you have anemia.

In the table below, you will find the normal values of CBC components:

After taking the test, results may be available in 28 to 72 hours, whether through mail or in person at the laboratory.

What are the extra costs of this lab test?

Additional blood tests may be required depending on your individual situation. The doctor may ask you to run two to four laboratory tests at a time in order to get the best results and identify your health problem. Without any medical coverage and with a cost of $70 to $170 per test, you can expect to pay an extra $650 or more.

You might also like our articles about the cost of blood work, STD testing, or blood transfusions.

Take into account that the doctor’s office visit is an additional cost. This charge will usually be listed first on your bill.

Tips about the Complete Blood Count test

Usually, before you take a test you are not allowed to eat. However, this is not the case with CBC testing.

There are two types of CBC tests: the standard one and the CBC Differential. The simple one is typical blood cell testing, which simply displays the blood component value ranges. Whilst, in a CBC Differential, each white blood cell type, including neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, will have an individual percentage.

Saving money on the CBC test

Taking the CBC blood test in your doctor’s office is usually covered by your insurance. Before you get tested, check with your insurance company to see what it covers.

There are cases when the health insurance does not cover your doctor’s bill. Talk with your doctor about which tests are mandatory in order to stay within your budget. Doctors will be willing to help and recommend only what they believe is required to identify your health issue.

Take into consideration working with online labs. Most of them are much cheaper and you can save up to 85% on costs if you are not covered by insurance. Online labs usually send an at-home lab test kit to your location, that you use to collect a blood sample, and then send it back to the online lab. However, it is a good idea to research whether they are licensed before you go for one lab or another.

It is a good idea to talk to two to four labs and ask for a cost range before taking your tests. In this way, you can compare the prices to make sure you get the best deal.