How Much Does it Cost to Test and Treat Gonorrhea Without Insurance in 2023?
Sexually active individuals must get tested for STDs regularly, specifically for gonorrhea. A test for only gonorrhea will cost around $262 without insurance. A full STD panel, on the other hand, can cost up to $600. Additionally, treatment for gonorrhea can cost anywhere from $4.59-$48.48.
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The Cost of Gonorrhea Testing at Different Clinics & Locations
The cost of gonorrhea testing and treatment can depend on several factors, including geographic region, where you go to get tested, and in some cases, your income and family status. You can get tested at your doctor’s office, community health centers, pharmacies, or even at home. According to our research, the costs of treating gonorrhea range from free to upwards of $600.
Cost of Gonorrhea Testing At Medical Centers
The average cost of gonorrhea testing from different medical centers can vary. Testing can be performed at urgent care locations or it can be lab-based, from centers such as Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics. As a Mira member, you will have access to Labcorp testing at a discounted price. Community health organizations like Planned Parenthood will also factor your income into your costs to accommodate those with limited financial resources.
Generally, gonorrhea testing is included in most basic STD panels. If you are wary that you have symptoms of gonorrhea, you should also get tested for other STDs as many of these symptoms overlap significantly. The following costs are for standard STD panels. The coverage of the STD panels might vary, which also factors into the cost.
Places that offer Gonorrhea treatment without insurance
| Location | Gonorrhea Treatment Cost Without Insurance | Test Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Parenthood | $0-250 sliding scale based on location & income | Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV |
| City MD | $350 | HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C, herpes, syphilis, trichomonas |
| FastMed | $299 | HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas |
| Quest Diagnostics | $49 for individual tests, $199 for packages | Packages: chlamydia and gonorrhea, trichomonas, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV |
Cost of Gonorrhea Testing In Different Geographic Regions in the U.S.
The cost of gonorrhea testing in clinics can also vary based on geographic location. The following cost distributions for only gonorrhea detection tests based on the U.S. region have been listed below.
| Location | Gonorrhea Treatment Cost Without Insurance |
|---|---|
| New York City | $129 |
| Los Angeles | $143 |
| Chicago | $166 |
| Dallas | $150 |
| Houston | $150 |
Cost of Gonorrhea Testing in Low-Cost Clinics in the U.S.
The following outlines various free/low-cost clinics available in major U.S. cities. Big cities tend to have low-cost clinics for uninsured or low-income individuals. The CDC provides an excellent resource for locating some low-cost clinics in your area. Their GetTested website filters down free or low-cost STD clinics based on your zip code.
However, these clinics often require you to provide proof of household income and other forms to get tested. Additionally, some clinics might ask that you present with actual symptoms before allowing you to be tested. If you are sexually active, it is essential to locate a reliable provider or clinic to give consistent STD screenings regardless of symptom presentation.
| Location | Clinic | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | Gay Mens Health Crisis | Free but by appointment only |
| Austin, TX | Sexual Health Clinic | $20 but will only test if an individual is presenting with active symptoms |
| Chicago, IL | Erie Family Health | Uninsured individuals are charged on a sliding scale, based on family size and household income |
| Los Angeles, CA | The Wall Las Memorias | Free but limited scheduling |
| St. Paul, MN | Open Cities Health Care Center Inc. | Free for those who are uninsured or ≤ 18 years old |
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Cost of At-Home Gonorrhea Testing Kits
There are also several at-home options for gonorrhea testing kits. These tests are suitable for individuals who have already undergone a comprehensive STD panel in the past. Generally, at-home tests can have accuracies of around 92%. These at-home tests also typically cost less than clinics or urgent care. Once you collect your sample, the test will provide instructions about how to mail your sample the appropriate lab. After that, you should receive your results shortly.
| Brand | Cost | What it tests for |
| Everlywell | $69 | Chlamydia, gonorrhea |
| iCare | $39.95 | Gonorrhea |
| Lets Get Checked | $99 | Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis |
| My LabBox | $189 | Bacterial vaginosis, yeast, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea. |
| Nurx | $190 | HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis |
The Cost of Gonorrhea Treatment at Different Clinics & Locations
Currently, the CDC guidelines for gonorrhea treatment consist of one intramuscular injection of Ceftriaxone. A licensed healthcare provider will perform this injection, and the cost will vary based on your clinic and provider rates. The antibiotics Gentamicin combined with Azithromycin or Cefixime are alternatives to Ceftriaxone if you are allergic or are unable to receive an injection. The following are the approximate costs of each treatment.
Cost of Gonorrhea Treatment Across the U.S.
| Medications | Dosing | Route | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceftriaxone | 500 mg | Intramuscular injection | $4.59-$48.48 |
| Gentamicin and Azithromycin | 240 mg in a single dose + 2 g in a single dose | Intramuscular injection and a tablet | Gentamicin: $9.45-$24.21
Azithromycin: $4.80-$32.04 |
| Cefixime | 800 mg | Capsule | $17.74-$38.65 |
Additional Costs
Treatment of Gonorrhea also requires a proper consultation from a licensed healthcare provider. These consultations and administering your medication will contribute to additional costs on top of your prescription.
- If urgent care is administering your gonorrhea treatment, you are looking at additional costs of about $100-200.
- If your primary care physician is administering your gonorrhea treatment, you are looking at an additional cost of about $265 for an average visit.
- Although unlikely, if you receive your gonorrhea treatment in the Emergency Room, your treatment costs can be around $2,200 on average.
Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following section will answer some frequently asked questions about gonorrhea.
What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea can manifest in your body and differ based on sex. Additionally, some individuals may not experience any symptoms at all. However, for your reference, the following are possible symptoms that a gonorrhea infection might cause.
Most individuals assigned male at birth may experience:
- White, yellow, or green discharge from tip of the penis
- Pain upon urination
- Swollen and painful testicles
Most individuals assigned female at birth may experience:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Pain upon urination
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
All individuals may also experience symptoms like the following:
- Itchy anus
- Rectal discharge
- Sensitivity to light in eyes
- Discharge from eyes
- Sore throat
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What are the best ways to prevent gonorrhea?
The best way to prevent gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases is to practice safe sex methods. This includes:
- Using protection during intercourse
- Getting tested for STDs regularly if you are sexually active
- Limiting the number of individuals that you engage in sexual intercourse with
It’s also essential to ask your sexual partner about their previous sexual history and whether or not they have been tested recently.
How long does gonorrhea last for?
Most symptoms of gonorrhea typically improve within a few days. Still, pain in the pelvis or the testicles may take up to 2 weeks to resolve. Additionally, you must finish your full course of antibiotics before engaging in intercourse again. If you have sex before your infection is resolved, you could pass your gonorrhea to your sexual partner. It can take up to 7 days for the antibiotics to work.
What is the difference between gonorrhea and chlamydia?
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are both common sexually transmitted diseases. They are different because they are both caused by two different types of bacteria; they have slightly different symptoms. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, whereas chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, getting tested and treated for gonorrhea can be very costly and vary depending on where you get tested. Whether you decide to get an at-home gonorrhea test, lab testing, or a full STD panel at a clinic, your costs can be upwards of $600.
Mira can help you save on your testing and treatment costs. For just $25 a month, Mira provides $99 laboratory testing and discounted prescriptions in addition to affordable consultations and urgent care visits. Take control of your health and sign up for Mira today.
Sophie is a 2024 Pharm D. candidate studying pharmacy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She has a passion for healthcare and writing and hopes to make meaningful contributions to healthcare transparency and accessibility. In her free time, she likes to take care of her houseplants, cook, and hang out with her cat.
