If you have health insurance, you may be wondering whether it covers STD testing. The answer depends on a number of factors, including the type of STI being screened for and your plan’s coverage.

Thankfully, most private and public health insurance plans must cover preventive screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV, but coverage can vary.

Preventative Care

Preventative care, including STI testing, helps you stay healthy. It can also help you catch diseases and other health problems early when they’re easier to treat.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most private insurance plans to cover preventive services with no cost-sharing. This includes screenings recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force and vaccines.

STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, are serious illnesses that can cause health complications and even death. They include chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis.

Private Insurance

STDs are the most common sexually transmitted diseases and can lead to serious complications. Regular testing is a great way to prevent them from spreading.

A number of private insurance companies cover STD screenings, including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea for women under 24 (older women are covered if they’re at high risk). Many plans also include HIV and Syphilis screens for pregnant and sexually active women.

However, if you are concerned about whether or not your test results will show up on your health insurance bill, it’s important to talk with your doctor. It’s also possible that some insurance providers might have specific requirements for how they use information.

Medicaid

Medicaid, the federally-funded program that provides medical care to poor people and children, is a vital part of addressing the health needs of vulnerable populations. Its benefits include hospital and physician care, laboratory and X-ray services, home health services, and nursing facility care for adults and children.

Most states also offer a more comprehensive set of optional benefits for Medicaid beneficiaries. These include dental care, vision services, hearing aids, and personal care services for frail seniors and people with disabilities.

Medicare, the federally-funded health insurance program for people 65 and older as well as younger people with long-term disabilities, covers STI screenings and behavioral counseling at no cost for everyone ages 15 to 65. This includes testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and Hepatitis B.

In New York City, there are more than 30 free or low-cost STD health clinics that provide testing and treatment. Several of these clinics are Planned Parenthood health centers, which receive funding from private individuals and large national funds (e.g., the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) as well as from the government.

Urgent Care

Urgent care centers are the middle ground between your primary care physician and the Emergency Room. They are a great choice for when you have an illness or injury that can’t wait, or if your primary care doctor is closed or unable to see you.

Many urgent care centers offer STD testing. They also provide other services, like blood work, cholesterol tests, X-rays, and physicals.

In addition to being affordable and accessible, urgent care facilities often accept a variety of insurance plans. This helps to ensure that patients can get the medical care they need without putting a strain on their finances.

With so many sexually transmitted diseases, it’s important to have a reliable, fast, and private way to get tested. AFC makes it simple by providing on-site, discreet lab testing that requires no appointment.