Guide to understanding health care costs

This guide shows some examples of common medical services and costs based on where they are administered—doctor’s office, hospital or non-hospital location. Remember that you and your doctor should work together to decide which treatment choices make the most sense for you and your continued good health. Download a PDF of this guide.

Doctor’s office visits

 

Low cost

Average cost

High cost

Existing patient visit

$60

$158

$249

New patient visit

$60

$171

$249

These costs do not include any tests or procedures at the time of or following the office visit.


Maternity services

 

Low cost

Average cost

High cost

Normal delivery, including doctor’s fees

$5,673

$9,261

$12,886

C-section delivery, including doctor’s fees

$8,277

$12,027

$17,543


Diagnostic tests and lab services (in a non-hospital setting)

 

Low cost

Average cost

High cost

Blood tests
Costs vary based on test requested.
For example:

$6-$27

$11-$54

$25-$143

  • Blood count

$10

$19

$45

  • Lipid panel test

$20

$32

$68

Chest X-ray

$44

$53

$59

Rapid strep throat test

$17

$24

$39

Routine EKG

$12

$43

$99

Pap smear

$13

$46

$96

Screening mammogram

$180

$226

$263

Urinalysis

$4

$5

$6

Urine pregnancy test

$9

$19

$84


Diagnostic tests and lab services (in a hospital)

 

Low cost

Average cost

High cost

Blood tests
Costs vary based on test requested.
For example:

$6-$30

$17-$81

$31-$307

  • Blood count

$10

$22

$47

  • Lipid panel test

$23

$48

$91

Chest X-ray

$57

$119

$221

Rapid strep throat test

$21

$31

$41

EKG

$24

$65

$100

Pap smear

$13

$62

$108

Screening mammogram

$138

$299

$489

Urinalysis

$4

$5

$6

Urine pregnancy test

$11

$42

$116


Other common services

 

Low cost

Average cost

High cost

Emergency room visit, minor injury

$57

$285

$708

Urgent care center visit

$61

$160

$275

MRI

In a hospital

$898

$1,383

$4,045

In a doctor’s office or MRI facility

$546

$749

$1,026

CT scans (In a hospital)

Head/brain

$421

$674

$1,062

Thorax

$492

$897

$1,632

Abdomen

$466

$831

$1,474

CT scans (In a doctor’s office)

Head/brain

$411

$609

$992

Thorax

$444

$735

$1,578

Abdomen

$447

$627

$1,319

This guide illustrates examples of the average costs for the indicated services.
However, individual experiences and costs may vary. Please remember:

  • This information should not replace your health care provider’s advice and direction. You should work with your doctor and health care provider to explore all of your treatment options to make an informed decision about your health care.
  • These examples are based on average costs charged by FCHP providers.
  • Unusually high-cost or low-cost cases are not included.
  • Actual out-of-pocket costs will depend on services received, benefits, negotiated rates for a hospital or professional provider and the billed charges for a hospital or professional provider.
  • This information does not suggest that any health care service or treatment approach is necessary or unnecessary, nor better or worse than any other service or treatment approach.
  • These figures do not list a specific, actual cost for any specific service or episode of care. Facility and professional billed charges vary from provider to provider.

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