Is STI testing covered by insurance?
Screening for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis. Here’s how each kind of plan usually handles it.
- Employer or MarketplaceUsually covered
Recommended STI screenings are usually covered at $0 in network.
More details
HIV and hepatitis C screening are recommended for adults, and other STI screening is recommended for people at increased risk. Testing for symptoms is diagnostic and can have cost sharing.
Cost: $0 in network when it qualifies as preventive; follow-up or diagnostic work can have normal cost sharing.
- Original MedicareUsually covered
Yes, Medicare covers yearly HIV screening at $0 for ages 15 to 65, and other STI screening at $0 for people at increased risk.
More details
covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV screening when criteria are met, plus up to two counseling sessions a year.
- Medicare AdvantageUsually covered
Yes, Medicare covers yearly HIV screening at $0 for ages 15 to 65, and other STI screening at $0 for people at increased risk.
More details
covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV screening when criteria are met, plus up to two counseling sessions a year. plans must cover Medicare’s preventive services at $0 when you use an in-network provider.
Cost: $0 in network for the preventive service; follow-up care can have your plan’s copays.
- MedicaidUsually covered
Yes, Medicaid covers STI testing.
More details
Testing and treatment are covered with little or no cost sharing.
What usually has to be true
- Screening criteria (age, risk) apply for $0 coverage.
- Use an in-network lab.
Good to know
- Public health clinics often offer free or low-cost testing regardless of insurance.
Related
- PrEP for HIV · Medication to prevent HIV, plus required labs and visits.
- Blood tests & lab work · Blood work, urine tests, and other lab services.
Sources
Typical rules for 2026 plans, checked against these sources on October 20, 2026. Your plan’s own documents decide.
- 1Preventive care benefits for adults
HealthCare.gov
Covered adult preventive services include blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, depression, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis, and lung cancer screenings, immunizations, PrEP for HIV prevention, tobacco-cessation interventions, and obesity counseling, when criteria are met.
- 2USPSTF A and B recommendations
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Services rated A or B by the Task Force, such as specified cancer screenings, PrEP for HIV prevention, and statin use for certain adults, generally must be covered without cost sharing by non-grandfathered plans.
- 3STI screenings and counseling
Medicare.gov
Part B covers screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B for people at increased risk, plus counseling, at no cost.
- 4HIV screenings
Medicare.gov
Part B covers HIV screening once every 12 months for eligible people at no cost; Medicare also covers HIV PrEP drugs and related services.
- 5Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare.gov
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers (except hospice, which Original Medicare continues to pay), usually use provider networks, often require referrals or prior authorization, and may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing.
- 6Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits
Medicaid.gov
States must cover mandatory benefits such as inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, laboratory and X-ray services, home health, and nursing facility care; many other benefits, including adult dental, vision, and prescription drugs coverage details, are state options.
General information about how coverage usually works, not a decision about your plan. Your plan documents and insurer have the final word.