Are you thinking about seeing an OBGYN but are worried about how much it’s going to cost you?
It’s no secret that in America, a trip to the doctor’s office can be quite expensive. But, how much will visiting the OBGYN set you back? Can you afford it?
Check out this OBGYN cost guide to learn how much you can expect to pay on your next visit to the doctor’s office.
What is an OBGYN?
Before we dive into OBGYN costs, we first need to answer the question, “What is an OBGYN?” OBGYN stands for obstetrician-gynecologist.
An OBGYN is a specialized doctor who focuses on women’s health issues. The female body experiences many things that the male body doesn’t, such as menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. For this reason, it’s often better to see an OBGYN for your health concerns than it is to see a general physician.
Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that relates to caring for women before, during, and after childbirth. An obstetrician will help you with pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and post-birth aftercare. If you’re pregnant, you’ll see an OBGYN for office visits throughout your pregnancy, and they’ll also help you during labor and deliver your baby.
A gynecologist, on the other hand, focuses on women’s health and their reproductive health. They diagnose and treat issues concerning the:
- Uterus
- Vagina
- Fallopian tubes
- Ovaries
Gynecologists also screen for and treat health issues related to women’s breasts. Here are some of the top reasons you should see a gynecologist:
- Check for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Get a pregnancy test
- Obtain birth control
- Discuss menstrual problems (ie, if you have a heavy, painful, or irregular flow)
- Get a breast exam (this is particularly important if you’re over 40)
- Get a pelvic exam or a pap smear
It’s important to understand that not all gynecologists are obstetricians and that not all obstetricians are gynecologists. But, if someone says they’re an OBGYN, it means they’re trained in both of these fields.
If you’re only having gynecological issues, it’s not necessary to see an OBGYN, you could just opt to see a gynecologist and vice versa. However, it can sometimes be helpful to see a doctor who has knowledge in both of these specialties.
How Much Does an OBGYN Cost?
Now we get to the big question- how much does an OBGYN cost? Well, that depends. How much you pay for an OBGYN visit is largely determined by two factors: your insurance and the reason for your visit.
If you don’t have health insurance or you’re on a budget plan that doesn’t cover gynecological exams, you can expect to pay at least $125 for a basic office visit. Typically, this visit will include a pelvic exam and a pap smear.
If you require additional services, then you can expect to pay more. This is why getting health insurance is so important, as most of your costs will be covered with the right plan.
If you’re in a tough financial situation and you don’t have health insurance, you can talk to your doctor’s office about setting up a payment plan for your medical bills. In most cases, you’ll be given a grace period of up to two months to pay your bills. Most offices also allow you to pay your bills in installments so you don’t have to fork over a ton of money upfront.
You can also take advantage of reduced-cost gynecological services from Planned Parenthood if you don’t have the financial means to see a gynecologist in a private practice.
What are the Extra Costs?
As we mentioned earlier, a basic office visit to the OBGYN will cost you at least $125. But, this doesn’t include the cost of extra services. If you don’t have insurance, here’s a ballpark figure of what you can expect to pay for these additional services:
STD Testing: STD tests can cost anywhere from $0 to $600. How much you pay will depend on your insurance coverage and what type of tests you have done. For example, HIV screening typically costs around $85 out of pocket, whereas a chlamydia screening typically costs around $250 out of pocket.
You’ll need to talk to your doctor about your sexual history to figure out which tests you need. Luckily, if you can’t afford to pay for STD tests through a private practice, there are many low-cost alternatives available.
Delivery Charges: Because you’ll be staying in a hospital, the cost to deliver a baby can be quite expensive. If you opt for a vaginal delivery with total OB care, you can expect to pay around $5000. For a Cesarian delivery, you can expect to pay around $6000.
If an assistant surgeon is needed for the Cesarian section, then you can expect to pay about $600 more. If you choose to have your child circumcised, then you can expect to pay around $450 for this service.
Again, these are all estimated, out-of-pocket costs. If you have insurance, you can expect all or some of these costs to be taken care of.
Laboratory and Ultrasound Tests: Whether you’re pregnant or not, you may need to see an OBGYN for lab tests or ultrasound tests. Here’s an approximation of what you can expect to pay for each one of these tests out of pocket:
- Cystic Fibrosis Screening: $700
- OB Profile: $150
- Quad Screen: $250
- Varicella Screening: $80
- Ultra screen Labs: $200
- Complete OB Ultrasound: $350
- Non-Stress Test: $125
- Biophysical Profile: $250 to $300
- 1st Ultrasound: $100 to $300
If you don’t have insurance, call your local clinic beforehand to see how much you can expect to pay for each test. If a test you need is out of your price range, then the clinic should be able to put you in contact with some low-cost alternatives.
Are You Ready to Schedule an Appointment?
Now that you’ve read this OBGYN cost guide, it’s time for you to schedule your appointment. Even if these costs are out of your price range, you should never forgo seeing the OBGYN just because you can’t afford it.
As we’ve mentioned, there are low-cost alternatives out there for people in tough financial situations. Be sure to check back in with our blog for more information related to women’s health!