For example, a vitamin D test is $36 in my practice compared to over $200 at local institutions. A hemoglobin A1c is $11, a check for anemia (also known as a CBC) is $6, and a cholesterol panel is $10. A very basic thyroid test (TSH) is $15 with more comprehensive testing available. Essentially all common labs available at similar pricing. This is just an example of the prices for common lab tests.
Pathology Prices
I will now be working with NW Pathology for Pap testing, which charges around $51 for a Pap test. Local institutions bill around $88 for a Pap test, which does not include HPV testing. For skin biopsies, I use Cole Diagnostics, which charges $89 per specimen (additional cost if special stains are required to make a diagnosis, which is standard in any lab to ensure accurate diagnosis of skin cancer versus other skin problems).
How is this possible?
As a practice, I have negotiated the lowest rates I can for standard testing many of us need from time to time. These fees are withdrawn from the same payment source as your monthly fee (with your permission, of course!) and then the labs bill me monthly. There is no mark up to these fees. The prices you see here are exactly the prices I have negotiated with the labs. For anyone wanting labs to be billed to insurance, I simply order labs at OMC and lab specimens are obtained there.
There is a $5 shipping and handling fee associated with each blood draw, as well as Paps and pathology samples. There is no extra fee for tests processed in my clinic (like rapid strep tests, stool tests for colon cancer screening, pregnancy tests, urinalysis, and urine drug testing).