Costs of Common Prenatal Tests
A prenatal test costs anywhere from $72 to $2,000, depending on the type of test and whether your insurance covers it.
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Other factors, such as where you live and the company or hospital you choose, will also influence how much you pay for common prenatal tests.
Insurance often covers tests related to your health or the health of your unborn child. You'll typically have to pay the full cost of tests that your doctor doesn't order, such as prenatal paternity tests and gender reveal tests.
Costs of common prenatal tests
The cost of prenatal testing depends on the type of test you need, your insurance and where you live.
Test | Covered by insurance | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal blood test | $72 | |
| Amniocentesis | $349 | |
| Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | $350 | |
| Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)] | $437 | |
| At-home gender blood test | $99 | |
| Noninvasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) | $1,500 to $2,000 |
Cost data for prenatal blood tests, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) reflects average prices for Dallas, TX.
The amount you'll pay for a prenatal blood test depends on the type of insurance you have. With higher insurance tiers such as Platinum and Gold plans, you'll generally pay less for tests and blood work. If you have a Bronze or Silver plan, you can expect a higher hospital bill.
Keep in mind, you'll have to pay a certain amount of money, called a deductible, before any coverage starts. Higher plan tiers typically have low deductibles, and lower plan tiers tend to have higher deductibles.
If you start to feel worried about the high costs of prenatal care, remember that your health insurance plan's out-of-pocket maximum caps the amount you'll pay for medical care in a single year.
What common prenatal tests do I need?
You may need more or fewer tests, depending on your health history, doctor recommendations and other factors.
For example, nearly every pregnant woman should take a prenatal blood test to ensure the health of their child. But most expectant mothers won't need to take an at-home gender blood test or a prenatal paternity test.
It's also important to note that certain blood tests overlap. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis all check for chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome.
Talk to your doctor about which test makes the most sense for you, if any. Not all pregnant women will need to undergo genetic testing. Your age, health and family history will all factor into this decision.
A prenatal blood test looks for the presence of diseases, infections and other health risks. These usually include:
- Complete blood count measures your overall blood health. This test can detect health issues, such as anemia, infections and clotting disorders.
- Blood type and Rh factor checks to see if you have a genetic incompatibility with your baby. If an incompatibility exists, your body may create antibodies that can damage your baby's red blood cells.
- Rubella is a viral infection that can create health problems for your unborn baby.
- Hepatitis B and C are viruses that a pregnant woman can pass to her unborn baby. Most doctors test for hepatitis C only if you have certain risk factors, as it's fairly uncommon.
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An STI panel looks for common sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. STIs can cause miscarriages, birth defects and other health issues for you and your baby.
You'll typically get the test in the first trimester of your pregnancy. The procedure consists of a simple blood draw, which should take no more than five minutes.
A noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) can uncover risk factors for chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome or other potential birth defects. The genetic screening uses a sample of the mother's blood to check for different hormones and proteins. The test can be done starting 10 weeks into the pregnancy.
Chorionic villus sampling tests a small sample of your baby's placenta for genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease.
Amniocentesis checks for chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, or spine and brain developmental problems. The test also checks for specific genetic abnormalities, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease.
You can find out the sex of a baby through an at-home DNA kit that uses a small blood sample. Insurance won't cover the cost of an at-home kit, so you'll have to pay the full cost.
If you don't want to pay for a gender blood test, several alternatives exist. These include:
- Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- A noninvasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) test
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- An ultrasound
Your insurance may pay for these tests, depending on your policy details and why you're getting the test.
With a prenatal paternity test, you'll take a blood sample after at least seven weeks of pregnancy. This sample will include the baby's DNA. You'll also collect DNA from the father or potential fathers.
How to get cheap prenatal and genetic testing
If you don't have health insurance, consider enrolling in free government health insurance, called Medicaid. The income limits to qualify for Medicaid as a pregnant woman differ significantly by state.
Medicaid income limits for pregnant women by state
State | Single woman | Family of four |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,611 | $101,916 |
| Alaska | $38,318 | $78,772 |
| Arizona | $25,197 | $51,762 |
| Arkansas | $33,491 | $68,801 |
| California | $50,393 | $103,523 |
If you earn too much for Medicaid, you might be able to get cheap coverage through your state health exchange. Exchange plans come with discounts, called subsidies, that can significantly lower the cost you pay each month for health insurance.
The size of your subsidy depends on how much money you make. Typically, the less you earn, the bigger your discount.
Other tips for lowering the cost of prenatal testing
Ask your doctor for cash pricing if your insurance won't cover the test. This will typically lower the price you pay for prenatal testing.
Use a free neighborhood clinic like Planned Parenthood. Depending on where you live, your local Planned Parenthood or another free neighborhood clinic may offer free or reduced-price prenatal blood tests.
Reach out to the manufacturer directly. Some companies that sell direct-to-consumer products scale prices depending on your income. For example, the Panorama-brand prenatal test costs $149 if you qualify for a financial hardship discount.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a prenatal blood test cost?
A standard prenatal blood test costs $72 after insurance. Keep in mind, how much you pay will depend on factors such as your level of insurance coverage, where you live and whether you've met your annual deductible.
Can you do a DNA test while pregnant?
Yes, you can get several types of DNA tests while pregnant. Certain types of prenatal genetic tests look for developmental disorders, such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Other tests can determine a baby's gender or father.
Does insurance cover prenatal genetic testing?
Insurance typically covers prenatal genetic testing directly related to the health of the unborn baby. For example, a regular insurance plan will cover some or all of the cost of a genetic test that can detect a serious disorder, such as Tay-Sachs disease. But insurance typically won't pay for a prenatal test to determine gender or paternity.
Sources and methodology
Cost data came from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthcare Bluebook and reflects average prices for Dallas, Texas. At-home gender blood tests reflect an average of three leading industry brands, and prenatal paternity test costs came from DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC).
Other information came from Planned Parenthood, Cleveland Clinic and KFF.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
