CVS TB Test Cost


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

The Minute Clinic, located inside of most CVS locations, offers a variety of health-related services, including tuberculosis testing, commonly referred to as a TB test.

To see if your local CVS offers a Minute Clinic, refer to the official Minute Clinic search tool.

CVS TB Test Cost
CVS Pharmacy now at Target, 6/2016, pics” (CC BY 2.0) by JeepersMedia

How much does a TB skin test cost at CVS?

A TB skin test, according to the official CVS Minute Clinic price sheet will cost $35 for the initial test and another $30 for the reading 48 to 72 hours later, bringing the grand total to $65 without any health insurance coverage.  However, according to the company’s TB test page, they do claim insurance is not accepted for this service and payment will be due at the time of your visit.

The TB test – what happens?

Before your test, the practitioner on site will first want to explore your medical history and verify if you’re eligible for the test at the clinic.  In some cases, if you have a compromised immune system, history of an adverse reaction to a TB test, a positive skin test in the past and/or measles, mumps, influenza and/or chicken pox in the past month, then the clinic will more than likely direct you to another provider.

If your practitioner deems you eligible for the test, then a small amount of tuberculin is injected beneath the skin, usually the forearm and will be the first part of the TB test.  As per Healthline.com, tuberculin is a sterile extract purified protein derivative which is made from a bacteria that can cause TB.  After you receive the injection, a tiny, pale colored bump will form at the injection site and you will be sent home, asked to come back 48 to 72 hours later.

During your second visit, 48 to 72 hours later, the injection should start to swell, harden and start to turn red and to interpret the results, your practitioner will pay close attention to the size of the bump, referred to as an induration in the medical world.  Based on the size, which we explain in the results below, will determine your positive/negative result.

The results

According to the CDC, any induration larger than 15 millimeters is considered a positive result for any patient, while an induration of 10 or more millimeters is only considered positive for recent immigrants coming from a high-prevalence countries, recent drug users, residents/employees of a high-risk congregate setting, patients with clinical conditions which place them at a higher risk, children younger than four years old or anyone exposed to adults in the high-risk categories.

As for an induration of 5 or more millimeters, the CDC states it will be considered a positive result for HIV-infected patients, a recent contact with someone who did have TB, a patient with fibrotic changes on chest radiograph consistent with prior TB, those with an organ transplant or patients who are  immunosuppressed for other reasons.

Some patients, however, may react to TST and can be considered a false positive in some cases.

Tips to know

No appointment is necessary for a TB test at your local CVS.

Failing to come back for your test within 72 hours will often require you to re-take the test again.


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