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| | | Pap tests, used to detect precancerous changes in the uterine cervix, are recommended every three years for women, starting three years after the first sexual intercourse or no later than age 21. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For those not covered by health insurance, a conventional Pap test usually costs $25 to $40 and a liquid-based Pap test -- sometimes referred to by the brand name ThinPrep -- costs $45 to $60, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Many states require insurance companies to cover regular Pap tests. The National Women's Law Center offers a state-by-state chart.
- For patients covered by insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically range from zero to the full fee, depending on the deductible and copays. A Medicare patient whose deductible has not been met would pay the full $75 fee at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. However, some insurance plans, such as this Aetna plan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Community Blue PPO plan, cover "wellness" screenings 100 percent, with no deductible or copay, usually with some restrictions.
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| What should be included: | - Uusally after performing a pelvic exam, the doctor or clinician uses a scraper or small brush to collect a sample of cervical cells.
- In a conventional Pap test, the cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
- In the liquid-based Pap test, the collection device is rinsed into a vial containing a special solution, then sent to a laboratory. There it is filtered or centrifuged to separate out the cells, which are mechanically mixed to create a more uniform sample.
- The liquid-based Pap test has been found to allow for slightly better diagnoses and fewer false negatives, so most tests in the United States are liquid-based, but the conventional test still is considered adequate as well. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition offers a comparison of the conventional test and the liquid-based test.
- The National Cancer Institute offers a Q&A on Pap tests.
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| Additional costs: | - About six percent of Pap tests show some abnormality that requires follow-up testing. Further testing can include another Pap test, testing for the human papillomavirus -- a common sexually transmitted virus, some strains of which can lead to cancer -- or an examination of the vagina with a microscope-like instrument or a biopsy.
- Not all abnormal results mean cancer. The National Cancer Institute offers a guide to abnormal Pap test results.
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| Shopping for a pap test: | - If you have health insurance, consult with your gynecologist or health clinic to schedule a pelvic exam and Pap test.
- Otherwise, call your local health department. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers more resources for finding low-cost or free Pap tests.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated March 2008 |
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