Car insurance does not cover STD testing at urgent care, because car insurance only pays for injuries and illnesses caused by car accidents
Your car insurance policy covers medical treatment for injuries you receive in a car crash — broken bones, lacerations, whiplash. It does not cover routine medical care, preventive testing, or treatment for conditions unrelated to a vehicle accident. STD testing falls into routine medical care, so your health insurance (if you have it) would be the payer, not your auto policy.
If you were injured in a car accident and went to urgent care for that injury, your car insurance would cover that visit. But if you went to urgent care for STD testing on the same day, the insurance company would separate those claims. Only the accident-related treatment gets paid by your auto policy.
Key Takeaways
- Car insurance covers only medical treatment for injuries caused by car accidents, not routine testing or preventive care.
- STD testing is a health insurance matter, not an auto insurance matter, even if you get tested at an urgent care clinic.
- If you have health insurance, check your plan documents or call your health insurer to learn what STD testing costs you out of pocket.
- Many urgent care clinics and community health centers offer STD testing on a sliding fee scale if you do not have health insurance.
What your health insurance covers for STD testing
Your health insurance plan — whether through an employer, the marketplace, or Medicaid — is what covers STD testing. Most plans cover at least some STD testing at no cost to you, particularly if your doctor orders it as part of preventive care. The Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active people without charging a copay or coinsurance.
Coverage varies by plan and by which STD you are testing for. Syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B screening are often covered, but your specific plan may have limits on how often you can be tested or which providers you can use. Call your health insurance company or log into your online account to see what your plan covers before you go to urgent care.
How to find out what you will pay out of pocket
Before you go to urgent care for STD testing, contact your health insurance company and ask three things: whether STD testing is covered under your plan, whether you need a doctor's referral, and which urgent care clinics are in your network. In-network providers cost less because your insurance has negotiated rates with them.
If you do not have health insurance, call the urgent care clinic directly and ask their cash price for the specific test you need. Prices vary widely — a single STD test can range from $50 to $300 depending on the clinic and the test. Many urgent care clinics will also tell you whether they offer a discount for paying in cash upfront.
Lower-cost options if you do not have health insurance
Community health centers and Planned Parenthood locations often charge on a sliding fee scale based on your income, meaning you pay less if you earn less. Some offer free or very low-cost STD testing. Search for "community health center near me" or visit the Planned Parenthood website to find a location and call ahead to ask about pricing and whether you need an appointment.
Some local health departments also offer free or low-cost STD testing. Call your county or city health department and ask whether they run a clinic or can refer you to one. These services are often available without insurance and sometimes without an appointment.
What happens if you were in a car accident and need medical care
If you were injured in a car accident, your car insurance (specifically, the medical payments coverage or personal injury protection on your policy) will cover reasonable medical treatment for that injury. This includes urgent care visits, emergency room visits, and follow-up care. You typically do not need to prove fault — your own insurance pays regardless of who caused the crash.
However, the insurance company will only pay for treatment related to the accident. If you go to urgent care after a crash and the doctor treats your whiplash but you also ask for STD testing, the insurer will pay only for the whiplash evaluation and treatment. You would need to use your health insurance or pay out of pocket for the STD test.
How to file a claim with your car insurance for accident-related medical care
After a car accident, notify your insurance company as soon as you can — most policies require notice within a few days. Tell them you received medical treatment and ask how to submit your medical bills. You will usually need to provide the urgent care clinic's invoice or bill, along with a description of what was treated and why it was related to the accident.
Keep all receipts and medical records from your urgent care visit. Your insurance company may ask for details about the accident, the injuries you sustained, and the treatment you received. Some insurers have a claims limit for medical payments coverage (often $1,000 to $5,000), so ask what your limit is when you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I was in a car accident, does my car insurance cover all my medical bills?
Your car insurance covers reasonable medical treatment for injuries caused by the accident, up to your policy's medical payments limit. This includes urgent care, emergency care, and follow-up visits. However, your insurance will not pay for treatment of pre-existing conditions or unrelated illnesses, even if you seek that treatment after the accident.
Can I use my car insurance to pay for STD testing if I was not in an accident?
No. Car insurance does not cover any medical care unrelated to a car accident. Use your health insurance, contact a community health center, or call your local health department for STD testing options.
What if my urgent care clinic bills my car insurance by mistake?
Contact the clinic's billing department and tell them the visit was not accident-related, so it should be billed to your health insurance instead. Provide your health insurance information. If the clinic has already submitted a claim to your car insurer, your auto insurance company will likely deny it, and the clinic will then bill your health insurance.
Do I need a doctor's order to get STD testing at urgent care?
Most urgent care clinics will test you without a doctor's order, though some require one. Call ahead and ask. If your health insurance covers the test, having a doctor's order may help ensure the claim is processed smoothly, but it is not always required.