Lipid (cholesterol) panel is a laboratory test. Prices are from 2322 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.
Price comparison (median)
Typical cash price here is $89 — about 6.6× the Medicare rate ($13). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($27).
💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $155 list price could save about $66 (43%).
Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.
Lowest cash prices
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 Lipid (cholesterol) panel
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: $89; Medicare pays $13.
| Insurer | Hospitals | Negotiated median |
|---|---|---|
| Amerigroup | 179 |
$5 – $46 |
| Tricare / VA | 467 |
$12 – $83 |
| Medicare | 596 |
$13 – $71 |
| Medicaid | 380 |
$6 – $87 |
| Independent Health | 51 |
$6 – $23 |
| EmblemHealth | 63 |
$6 – $38 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 1598 |
$11 – $140 |
| Univera | 16 |
$7 – $87 |
| Devoted Health | 256 |
$13 – $15 |
| MVP Health Care | 81 |
$6 – $110 |
| Molina Healthcare | 589 |
$8 – $68 |
| Humana | 1125 |
$13 – $149 |
| Centene / Ambetter | 852 |
$11 – $137 |
| AmeriHealth | 253 |
$13 – $64 |
| Bright Health | 65 |
$13 – $27 |
| Highmark | 129 |
$9 – $61 |
| Kaiser Permanente | 231 |
$10 – $162 |
| UPMC Health Plan | 102 |
$13 – $70 |
| Geisinger | 71 |
$13 – $69 |
| Anthem | 619 |
$10 – $114 |
| UCare | 69 |
$13 – $97 |
| Health Net | 319 |
$13 – $332 |
| SelectHealth | 48 |
$13 – $119 |
| Oscar Health | 218 |
$13 – $112 |
| Medica | 244 |
$13 – $154 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 1387 |
$13 – $168 |
| Priority Health | 62 |
$9 – $137 |
| Aetna | 1485 |
$13 – $185 |
| HealthPartners | 272 |
$14 – $143 |
| Cigna | 1245 |
$13 – $216 |
| AvMed | 61 |
$14 – $396 |
| Workers' Comp / No-Fault | 152 |
$17 – $351 |
| Harvard Pilgrim | 57 |
$13 – $137 |
| Sanford Health Plan | 71 |
$13 – $138 |
| Security Health Plan | 54 |
$13 – $113 |
| Coventry | 169 |
$13 – $231 |
| MultiPlan / PHCS network | 897 |
$22 – $415 |
| Healthcare Highways | 51 |
$38 – $363 |
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
| State | Median cash |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $36 |
| Rhode Island | $37 |
| Arkansas | $53 |
| Oregon | $53 |
| Maryland | $55 |
| Oklahoma | $55 |
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.
| Clinician | Specialty | Location | Medicare services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adebowale Prest, MD | Family Practice | Cambridge, MD | 41,407 |
| Patricia Hansen, M.D. | Internal Medicine | Louisville, KY | 33,890 |
| Gordana Katava, DO | Pathology | Berkeley Heights, NJ | 28,949 |
| Elise Donnelly, M.D. | Family Practice | Phoenix, AZ | 27,985 |
| Thomas Arnau, M.D. | Family Practice | Charleston, SC | 24,968 |
| Danyel Mcevoy, MD | Pathology | N Charleston, SC | 23,459 |
| Julie Bell, MD | Pathology | Vero Beach, FL | 20,976 |
| Jon Keller, MD | Pathology | Palo Alto, CA | 19,834 |
| Ronald Michael, M.D. | Gastroenterology | Memphis, TN | 12,331 |
| Richard Bone, M.D. | Gastroenterology | Chicago, IL | 10,081 |
| Susanne Carmack, M.D. | Pathology | Olympia, WA | 10,076 |
| Eric Weiner, MD | Internal Medicine | Boynton Beach, FL | 10,037 |
Does Medicare cover Lipid (cholesterol) panel?
Yes — Medicare generally covers Lipid (cholesterol) panel. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $13. 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 2322 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $89, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $155, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $27, a Medicare rate of about $13. Most cash prices fall between $23 and $251 — 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 Lipid (cholesterol) panel cost without insurance?
Does Medicare cover Lipid (cholesterol) panel?
What does Medicare pay for Lipid (cholesterol) panel?
Why do Lipid (cholesterol) panel prices vary between hospitals?
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
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