Cost shouldn’t be the reason why someone avoids STD testing. With the rise in healthcare costs in the U.S., many people are delaying getting tested because they fear the price will be high.
Unknowingly to them, there are several free and low-cost testing centers across the country. Some of these healthcare centers base their fees on income or insurance, while some others offer completely free testing services.
This guide will help you on where to get cheap STD testing in the U.S. and the best way to tell your partner(s) if you’re positive.
6 Trusted Services for Free or Low-Cost STD Testing in the US
Here are the six reliable services that offer free to low-cost STD testing in the states.
1️⃣ Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
FQHCs are available in community health centers, tribal clinics, school-based health centers, and facilities serving people who are homeless. They are available in thousands of locations across the country. You can find them in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and so on. They are one of America’s largest safety-net providers for STI services.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are nonprofit clinics that are funded by the government, and are required by law to provide healthcare services to people who don’t have the capacity to pay.
Find a nearby cheap STD test center through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s online locator.
2️⃣ Title X Family Planning Clinics
Many people have never heard of Title X, even though it funds the largest family planning and sexual health network in the country.
Title X clinics are funded by a federal grant program, and they provide a wide range of services — including STD testing, treatment, birth control, HIV screening, and preventive care. Costs are based on income, but patients living at or below the federal poverty level can receive free services.
These clinics also offer confidentiality, even for minors. They are reliable when you’re searching for free STD testing in NYC or other parts of the country. Go to the Clinic Online Locator to find a center that’s close to you by just entering your street address, city, or ZIP code.
3️⃣ Planned Parenthood
Suunniteltu vanhemmuus is one of the nation’s leading providers of sexual healthcare, offering testing and treatment for several STDs – such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and more.
The cost of testing ranges between $0-$250 depending on factors like:
- The specific tests you need
- Whether you have insurance
- Your income level
Meanwhile, they receive donations and support from state & local programs, which enables them to offer free healthcare services sometimes (even to people without insurance).
Wondering: where can I get a cheap STD test near me? Find a Planned Parenthood health center near you, enter the services you need and your location.
4️⃣ AHF Wellness Centers
AHF Wellness centers provide completely free HIV and STI testing in many cities across the U.S. (no insurance necessary). They accept walk-ins, meaning you don’t need an appointment, and test results are usually available in 30 minutes. The timing can be longer on busy days though.
AHF Wellness Centers also help connect patients with treatment, prevention tools such as PrEP and PEP, as well as additional sexual health resources when needed.
They are located in several parts of the country. Find a location near you.
5️⃣ CDC’s GetTested Locator
Not sure where to start? The CDC’s GetTested Locator is arguably the easiest tool for anyone searching “cheap STD testing near me”.
Instead of checking out different STD testing networks, CDC’s GetTested Locator helps you find testing locations from multiple trusted organizations, including:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- Title X clinics.
- Community health centers.
- HIV testing programs.
- Free and low-cost vaccination sites.
Simply enter your ZIP code and it will show nearby locations offering HIV, STI, hepatitis, and related services. The database is operated by the government, so all locations are vetted and current.
6️⃣ STDcheck.com
Unlike the public testing centers discussed above, STDcheck.com is a private testing service that allows users to order tests online and visit one of their 4,500+ testing centers nationwide for prompt assessment. Results are available in 1-2 days.
The company offers different STD test prices & packages. Individual tests starting at around $24. Multi-test panels ranging from $139 to $259.
STDcheck doesn’t accept insurance directly but it accepts HSA and FSA funds, and provides itemized receipts that patients can use for reimbursement.
While it isn’t free, it’s cheaper and more convenient than an urgent-care or emergency-room visit.
How to Tell a Partner If You Test Positive
Testing positive for an STD can be overwhelming, but telling your sexual partner(s) is one of the next steps to take.
- Tell them immediately you’re diagnosed positive. Doing so allows them to get tested and treated before complications develop or the infection spreads further.
- Many state and local health departments offer a confidential program called Partner Services. This is when health professionals help you contact your partner(s), explaining that they may have been exposed to an infection and help them access testing & treatment.
- Partner Services commonly covers infections such as HIV and syphilis. Thus, if your STD isn’t covered or if you’d rather handle the conversation yourself, you generally have two choices: a direct disclosure or anonymous notification.
- Anonymous notification can be helpful when dealing with casual sex partners, exes, or situations where reaching out feels uncomfortable. It removes the fear of STI conversation with a partner.
Notify Your Partners Anonymously
Not everyone feels comfortable texting or calling a partner to discuss an STD diagnosis. Fear, embarrassment, and anxiety can all make that conversation difficult.
Fortunately, NotifyPartners.com erases the chances of having any hit-back. This platform allows you to send anonymous std text to your sexual partners, encouraging them to get tested and treated (if positive).
You don’t have to bother about what to write in the message. NotifyPartners already has a ready-made template. Just …
- Vierailla NotifyPartners.com and select the STD you were diagnosed with.

- Choose the timeline of the infection.

- Enter your partner’s name and phone number.

- Klikkaa Esikatsele viestiä to see what the anonymous notification looks like. Press Jatkaa to send the message.

If you’re looking for a broader anonymous messaging tool for other purposes aside from STD notification, Anonyymit is your go-to. Popular use cases include:
End-to-end encrypted messaging
Bulk SMS marketing
Prank texts,
Crush confession,
Private international texts,
And many more.
Check out the Anonyymien blogi for fresh tips and creative ways to stay anonymous online.
Johtopäätös
No one should avoid STD testing because of money. Between federally funded clinics, nonprofit public organizations, and private testing services, there are many cheap STD testing centers in every part of the United States.
If you test positive, you can choose to tell your partner(s) directly, through your local health center Partners Services program, or anonymously tell them through NotifyPartners.
Usein kysytyt kysymykset
- Does Planned Parenthood do free STD testing?
Yes, sometimes. Planned Parenthood gets donations from people and also gets support from local & state programs, so they are able to offer free STD testing when there are sufficient resources.
- How much does it cost to get an STD test?
The cost varies widely. AHF Wellness Centers charge nothing, while public clinics and Planned Parenthood centers often charge anywhere from $0 to $250. Private testing companies like STDcheck charge between $24 and $259 depending on the type of test or panel selected.
- How much is STD testing at urgent care without insurance?
The costs of an urgent-care STD test without insurance varies depending on the provider, location, and type of STD. For example, CareNow Urgent Care costs from $180-$350, services at CVSminute Clinic are charged at $39-$245, while the average costs at NextCare is $250.
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