Sexual Health

How Much Does STD Treatment Cost Without Insurance in 2021?

Alexis Bryan
Alexis Bryan23 Aug 2022

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) will require treatment costing anywhere from $4 to $9,000 depending on your diagnosis without insurance. There are also initial costs of screening and doctor’s visit fees that may apply.

Routine STD screening is important to prevent future complications. A membership with Mira can help you access same-day STD testing for $99 instead of $521 out of pocket. Get peace of mind with affordable, convenient health care services today.

Cost of STD Treatment

To get treated for an STD, you first need to get tested to determine the proper course of treatment. The cost of STD testing and treatment depends on the type of health insurance you have. If you have health insurance, you normally pay the copay charged by your provider.

If you do not have health insurance, STD testing and treatment can get pretty expensive. Testing alone can cost anywhere from $108-$600 without insurance. Then, there are different costs associated with each treatment, depending on if you have a bacterial or viral STD. 

Cost of Chlamydia Treatment Without Insurance

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs and is easily treated with antibiotics. Chlamydia is usually treated with one dose of a strong oral antibiotic. The cost of a one-gram dose of the generic antibiotic azithromycin is about $30, and for the brand-name equivalent, Zithromax, the cost is about $50 without insurance.

Cost of Gonorrhea Treatment Without Insurance

Like chlamydia, there are treatment options for gonorrhea, but you may need to take more than one drug to treat it. 

Cost of Alternative Gonorrhea Treatments Without Insurance

Treatment OptionCost Without Insurance
Ceftriaxone$4.59-$48.48
Gentamicin plus Azithromycin

Gentamicin: $9.45-$24.21

Azithromycin: $4.80-$32.04

Cefixime$17.74-$38.65

Cost of HIV Treatment Without Insurance

Early HIV diagnosis is important for treatment and also to prevent further spread. With antiretroviral therapy (ART) and regular doctors visits, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives, but the cost of these medications can be enormous.

Cost of Antiretroviral Therapies (HIV treatment)

DrugCost without insurance
DescovyAround $2,025 for a supply of 30 tablets 
TruvadaAround $1,933 for a supply of 30 tablets 
EpivirAround $400 for a supply of 30 tablets 
VireadAround $1,400 for a supply of 30 tablets 
Trogarzo (shot instead of a daily pill)Up to $9,000 per month

STD Screening

The first step to getting treatment for STDs is to get tested. You should get a full STD panel if you are unsure which STD you have or do not have symptoms of. These tests can cost up to $600 depending on where you live and what type of provider you see.

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Initial STD Test Costs by Location Without Insurance

 New YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallasHouston
Culture for chlamydia$50$75$100$146$145
Detection test for gonorrhea$129$143$166$150$150
Immunoassay detection test for HIV-1 & HIV-2$179$100$120$172$126

Discount Programs for STD Treatment

If you are not eligible for Medicare and do not have prescription drug coverage, you may qualify for patient assistance programs. Additionally, there are clinics and online programs to help you access treatment after a positive test result. Below are a few options to help you get the treatment you need.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood health centers provide free or low-cost STI tests, depending on income and whether you have health insurance. You can also receive some tests and treatments via telehealth during the pandemic. 

Together Rx Access

Together Rx Access is a discount card that offers 25%-40% off many brand-name drugs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics with sliding fee scales based on income.

GetTested

GetTested is an initiative run by the CDC to help people access free, fast, and confidential STD testing. Some locations also provide condoms and PrEP

Good MDs

Good MDs is a group of online doctors that can give advice, make treatment plans, and prescribe medications starting at $29.99 without an appointment or insurance. They offer a “common STDs combo,” which provides a combo treatment that handles chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, the 3 most common STDs.

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Virtual primary care, urgent care, and behavioral health visits are only $25 with a Mira membership.

CallonDoc

CallonDoc does not require a video visit or lab test to get treated. You tell them your symptoms or upload your positive test result to get treated efficiently. Most treatment plans cost $39.99.

STD Treatment Cost Without Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

STDs are often associated with feelings of embarrassment, fear, dread, and worry. But if you are sexually active, routine STD screening is important for your health and the health of your partners. If you are diagnosed with an STD, it is important to be informed of the next steps. Below we answer some common questions about sexually transmitted diseases.

How do I know if I have chlamydia?

The best way to know if you have chlamydia is to get tested. Most people will not have symptoms of chlamydia. If you do experience symptoms, the symptoms of chlamydia are a little bit different for men and women.

Women with symptoms may notice:

  • An abnormal vaginal discharge
  • A burning sensation when urinating

Symptoms in men can include:

What if I don’t get treated for an STD?

Failure to properly treat STDs can lead to permanent damage to both the male and female reproductive organs, although some STDs are more dangerous than others. For example, untreated chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If left untreated, syphilis can damage your nervous system, brain and can even cause death. Gonorrhea can cause severe complications, including miscarriage, infertility, septic arthritis, and even blindness.

Ignoring symptoms, or avoiding routine testing, can be detrimental to your health. Getting routine STD screening is a responsible thing to do. 

Where can I get more information?

STD information and referrals to STD Clinics:

CDC-INFO

1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

TTY: 1-888-232-6348

CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)

P.O. Box 6003

Rockville, MD 20849-6003

E-mail: [email protected]

American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

P.O. Box 13827

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827

919-361-8488

Bottom Line

Staying up to date with preventive sexual health services like OB/GYN appointments and routine STD screening is essential for staying healthy. The cost of each STD treatment plan will vary, but without insurance, STD screening and treatment costs can add up.

With a Mira membership, you can access affordable lab tests and discounted prescriptions for as low as $25 per month. The Mira STD panel screens for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, and Syphilis. Join today to book an STD test tomorrow.

Alexis Bryan

Alexis Bryan MPH, is a recent graduate of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. She is passionate about increasing access to care to improve health outcomes. Outside of work, she loves to travel, read, and pay too much attention to her plants.