Why do blood tests cost so much?!
Question:
Why do blood tests cost so much?
Aren't they routine in many instances? How much would the following cost: SGPT, SGOT, Alkphos, Bill Rubin?
I need these for a government job and now I don't have insurance.
Answers:
clinic-ordered tests are more expensive because you're paying the overhead on your doctor's office.
The doctor (or nurse) draws the blood for a sample, the samples are handled by the doctor's staff, picked up by a courier, delivered to the lab, and a technician does the actual testing...and all of these expenses are passed on to you the patient.
To save up to 80% on your tests, go directly to the lab...Local testing labs are in the yellowpages, and many will draw and test on-site.
To save up to 40% over the GPs office visit, choose a doctor with an office in the local hospital center (they most likely test in-house) and have the visit billed...this gives you up to 30 days to make payment on the balance of the tests (the visit will need to be paid up front, of course).