US Health Care Costs

COVID-19 PCR test in Illinois

CPT 87635 · hospital facility charge

Cash prices range from $54 to $226 at the 6 Illinois hospitals whose price files we have read so far.

Estimate what you would pay

$93typical cash price
$107typical commercial insurer rate
$54–$226cash price range, 6 hospitals
Cash price by hospital, lowest first
Saint Francis Medical Center
$54
Advocate Condell Medical Center
$70
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
$70
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
$116
Memorial Medical Center
$170
Carle Foundation Hospital
$226

Illinois typical cash price: $93

Illinois hospitals compared

HospitalCityList priceCash priceInsurers (median)
Saint Francis Medical CenterPeoria$90$54$109only 1 plan
Advocate Condell Medical CenterLibertyville$140$70$103$41–$233 · 15 plans
Advocate Good Samaritan HospitalDowners Grove$140$70$108$41–$233 · 15 plans
Northwestern Memorial HospitalChicago$165$116$107$45–$165 · 35 plans
Memorial Medical CenterSpringfield$170$170$102$66–$137 · 40 plans
Carle Foundation HospitalUrbana$226$226$148$131–$182 · 10 plans
Only hospitals whose price files we've read are listed. The price is the hospital's part; the doctor (radiologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist) usually bills separately.

Common questions

How much does COVID-19 PCR test cost at a hospital in Illinois?

At 6 Illinois hospitals that publish a cash price, the typical price for COVID-19 PCR test is $93, and most charge between $62 and $198. The typical rate commercial insurers have negotiated is $107. These are hospital prices; independent clinics, imaging centers and labs often charge less.

Is it cheaper to pay cash or use insurance for COVID-19 PCR test?

At 2 of the 5 hospitals in Illinois that publish both, the cash price is lower than the typical insurer rate. Remember that with insurance you pay only your share of that rate once your deductible is met, and that cash payments usually don't count toward your deductible.

Which hospital in Illinois has the lowest cash price for COVID-19 PCR test?

Of the hospitals whose price files we have read, the lowest published cash price is $54 at Saint Francis Medical Center. Confirm the price with the hospital before you book.

Does the price include the doctor?

No. These are the hospital's own charges, often called the facility fee. The doctors involved, such as the surgeon, the anesthesiologist or the radiologist who reads a scan, usually send a separate bill.

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