Free Clinics (free-$600)

Despite the name, "free" clinics aren’t always free. Some of their testing may be free, or testing may be free if you qualify under the clinic’s income guidelines. You’ll want to check in advance.

Generally you can expect pay anywhere from nothing up to $600 for comprehensive STD testing in these clinics. Some may charge a nominal $20-$40 fee, however these facilities rarely screen for all STDs. Many clinics only test for HIV or Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Make sure they offer a full panel STD test so that you get comprehensively screened for all the common STDs.

Depending on your location, you may need to schedule an appointment a few weeks in advance. Remember, these clinics are set up to help as many people as possible, and they can get crowded. The staff at these facilities are caring individuals who work hard to serve a large number of clients. Due to the volume of people being served, there is no guarantee of discretion.

Bottom line: If your budget is tight or you are without healthcare insurance coverage, a free clinic might be your best option to minimize cost. Just be sure to look for comprehensive testing for all the major STDs.

Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get a referral: 1-800-CDC-INFO