How much does Cholesterol test (lipid panel) cost in Austin?

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $25 at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos to $211 at St. David's Medical Center, based on the hospitals' own federally mandated price files.

Is it cheaper to pay cash than use insurance?

Sometimes. Several hospitals publish discounted cash prices below the rates insurers negotiate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the self-pay price.

Why do prices differ so much between hospitals?

Each hospital negotiates rates separately with each insurer, and hospitals in the same health system usually share one contract. The same procedure with the same insurer can cost several times more across town.

Costs · Lab · Cholesterol test (lipid panel) · Austin · code 80061

How much does a cholesterol test (lipid panel) cost in Austin?

Blood test of cholesterol and triglycerides. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 16 Austin-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$25

lowest median negotiated rate

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos

$211

highest (adult hospitals)

St. David's Medical Center

8.4×

price spread

same procedure, same metro

Rates shown

Median negotiated rate per hospital · sorted low → high · hover a bar for the full receipt

cash (self-pay) price

Hospital	Gross charge	Cash price	Negotiated	Range	# rates	vs median

* Specialty hospital (pediatric or cancer center) — rates reflect specialty case mix. † Median based on fewer than 3 published rates — treat as indicative. Bars show the median dollar-denominated commercial negotiated rate; hospitals sharing a health-system contract show similar rates.

SOURCE: standard-charges files from 16 hospitals · file dates 2026-01-01 → 2026-06-13 · retrieved 2026-08-14

Tip: if you haven't met your deductible, ask each hospital for its discounted cash price — it is often far below the billed charge.

Skipping the hospital? 3 independent imaging/outpatient centers in this area negotiate a median $7 all-in for this procedure (3 insurer rates) — less than the lowest hospital facility fee above ($25).

New Austin Health, Llc — $5
Accurate Respiratory Inc — $7
Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc. — $9

All-in (global) negotiated fees from UnitedHealthcare's federally mandated Transparency-in-Coverage files, newest dated 2026-08-01; hospital bars above show the facility fee only — a physician fee is usually billed on top. Estimates — confirm with the provider.

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