Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test Cost by Hospital

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a laboratory test. Prices are from 2279 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$87median cash price · 2279 hospitals, 52 statestypically $24–$221 depending on the hospital
≈ 5.2× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$154
Cash / self-pay
$87
Insurer-negotiated
$30
Medicare pays
$17
$24$221
Median cash $87  ·  Medicare $17  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $87 — about 5.2× the Medicare rate ($17). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($34).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $154 list price could save about $67 (44%).

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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital Panama City, FL $13 $14 ★ 2/5 134 min —
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR $13 — ★ 3/5 170 min —
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Portland, OR $13 — ★ 4/5 183 min —
Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Gresham, OR $13 — ★ 3/5 154 min —
Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center Tualatin, OR $13 — ★ 2/5 177 min —
Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WA $13 — ★ 4/5 260 min —
West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh, PA $14 $17 ★ 3/5 208 min —
McLaren Caro Region Caro, MI $14 $12 — 72 min —
University Hospital and Medical Center Tamarac, FL $14 $10 ★ 2/5 133 min —
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Brandon, FL $14 $10 ★ 3/5 114 min —
Legacy Silverton Medical Center Silverton, OR $14 — — 142 min —
College Medical Center Long Beach, CA $14 $17 ★ 3/5 322 min —
College Hospital Cerritos, CA $14 $17 — — —
Glendora Hospital Glendora, CA $14 $17 — — —
Palmetto General Hospital Hialeah, FL $14 $14 ★ 2/5 203 min —
Maria Parham Medical Center Henderson, NC $14 $24 ★ 2/5 168 min —
Grant Memorial Hospital Petersburg, WV $14 — ★ 3/5 110 min —
Alamance Regional Medical Center Burlington, NC $15 $31 ★ 3/5 228 min —
Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, The Greensboro, NC $15 $31 ★ 3/5 224 min —
California Hospital Medical Center La Los Angeles, CA $15 $17 ★ 2/5 254 min —
University Medical Center of El Paso El Paso, TX $15 $17 ★ 3/5 240 min —
El Camino Health Mountain View, CA $15 — ★ 4/5 163 min —
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital Fort Pierce, FL $16 $9 ★ 1/5 128 min —
El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TX $16 $31 — — —
St Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center Twin Falls, ID $16 $16 ★ 4/5 186 min —

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated October 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $87; Medicare pays $17.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 360
$17
$7 – $55
Amerigroup 181
$17
$8 – $49
Medicare 572
$17
$16 – $57
Devoted Health 256
$17
$17 – $22
UnitedHealthcare 1580
$17
$14 – $124
Independent Health 51
$17
$15 – $34
Univera 16
$18
$8 – $25
Molina Healthcare 584
$18
$8 – $75
MVP Health Care 83
$18
$9 – $146
Tricare / VA 454
$18
$15 – $69
AmeriHealth 255
$18
$15 – $55
Bright Health 66
$19
$17 – $34
Highmark 127
$22
$11 – $77
Anthem 621
$23
$14 – $110
Centene / Ambetter 847
$24
$15 – $123
Humana 1093
$24
$17 – $178
UPMC Health Plan 102
$25
$17 – $84
Oscar Health 231
$28
$17 – $57
Geisinger 69
$28
$17 – $79
Health Net 309
$29
$8 – $258
AvMed 63
$29
$5 – $109
UCare 64
$29
$12 – $124
Kaiser Permanente 226
$31
$12 – $165
SelectHealth 46
$33
$11 – $144
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1338
$33
$14 – $148
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 146
$34
$18 – $253
EmblemHealth 75
$34
$7 – $86
Aetna 1451
$37
$16 – $172
Priority Health 55
$38
$9 – $106
Medica 240
$41
$17 – $150
Harvard Pilgrim 56
$45
$17 – $146
Cigna 1225
$49
$16 – $178
HealthPartners 262
$49
$17 – $155
Coventry 169
$61
$16 – $278
Sanford Health Plan 71
$80
$14 – $153
Security Health Plan 52
$84
$17 – $147
MultiPlan / PHCS network 893
$104
$25 – $280
Healthcare Highways 50
$126
$39 – $349

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
New Jersey$19
Alabama$41
Maryland$43
Tennessee$46
New York$53
Kentucky$57

Prices by city

Prices by state

Doctors who perform this

Clinicians who reported the most Medicare volume for this service. This reflects Original Medicare activity only and is a volume signal, not a quality ranking.

ClinicianSpecialtyLocationMedicare services
Chirag Patel, MDInternal MedicineChattanooga, TN657
Leon Nitkin, MDObstetrics & GynecologyBrooklyn, NY108
Irene Kakossian, M.D.Obstetrics & GynecologyBrooklyn, NY86
David Quarles, NPNurse PractitionerFlowood, MS74
Abbie Kalem, FNPNurse PractitionerRichland, MS44
Lokesh Bathla, MDGeneral SurgerySan Antonio, TX42
Wai-Hang Lam, M.D.Family PracticeSan Francisco, CA33
Jack Huynh, MDInternal MedicineSan Francisco, CA31
Kwokming ChengFamily PracticeSan Francisco, CA31
Richard Huynh, MDFamily PracticeSan Francisco, CA30
Ashish Arora, MDGastroenterologyElmhurst, IL30
Steve Gutnik, MDGastroenterologyYankton, SD26

Browse doctors by specialty & city →

Does Medicare cover Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test?

Yes — Medicare generally covers Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $17. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $3 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2279 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $87, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $154, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $30, a Medicare rate of about $17. Most cash prices fall between $24 and $221 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2279 US hospitals is $87. Most hospitals fall between $24 and $221. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $17). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test?
Medicare pays about $17. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

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