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Montana

Cost of a Blood Draw Visit
in Montana

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Montana's vast rural geography creates significant challenges for healthcare access, with many residents traveling hours to reach specialized medical services. Blood Draw procedures in the state show considerable price variation, with patients typically facing costs that range widely depending on their location and insurance coverage. With hundreds of active providers across Montana's 147,000 square miles, patients have options but must navigate carefully to find affordable care within their network.

Average

$29

Median

$3

Lowest

$3

Highest

$80

Providers

391

National avg: $28Montana: $29

2% above national average

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How does blood draw (venipuncture) compare to related procedures in Montana?

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20610$70$80$95320
Abscess Drainage (I&D)

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Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 36415Collection of venous blood by venipuncture). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 36415 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 36415 (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 36415 covers: the provider's professional fee for blood draw (venipuncture). It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why Blood Draw Visit Costs Vary Across Montana

Montana's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above the national average, driven primarily by the state's challenging rural geography and limited provider competition. The vast distances between communities and low population density create unique cost pressures that affect medical pricing throughout the Big Sky State.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Montana's extreme rural nature means that cities like Billings and Missoula have concentrated provider networks, while vast rural counties may have limited or no local Blood Draw services. Patients in remote areas often travel 100+ miles for routine procedures, adding transportation costs to medical expenses. This geographic disparity creates pricing advantages in urban centers due to higher patient volumes and competition.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient clinics in Montana typically charge significantly more than independent practices due to higher facility fees and operational overhead. Major health systems like Benefis Health System and Providence dominate many markets, potentially limiting price competition. Rural facilities face unique challenges with equipment maintenance and staffing that can drive up per-procedure costs.

Insurance Market Competition in Montana

The state's insurance market shows limited competition with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, and UnitedHealthcare controlling most coverage. This concentration can result in less aggressive rate negotiations between insurers and providers compared to more competitive markets. Rural areas often have even fewer insurer options, reducing patients' ability to shop for better coverage terms.

Physician Supply and Demand in Montana

With 391 providers offering Blood Draw services across Montana's vast geography, the supply appears adequate but unevenly distributed. Most specialists concentrate in Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman, creating access challenges for rural residents. This uneven distribution can lead to longer wait times in underserved areas and potentially higher costs due to limited competition.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Blood Draw Costs in Montana

What is the average cost of a Blood Draw visit in Montana without insurance?

Blood Draw procedures in Montana show significant price variation, with negotiated rates ranging from $3 for basic venipuncture to $80 for more complex collections, based on insurance company data. The median cost sits at $3, though self-pay patients often face higher list prices. Many Montana providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% off standard rates, making direct payment potentially more affordable than expected.

Does Montana Medicaid cover Blood Draw visits?

Yes, Montana Medicaid covers medically necessary Blood Draw services as the state expanded Medicaid coverage to include more low-income adults. Most routine blood tests ordered by physicians are covered with little to no cost-sharing for Medicaid patients. Prior authorization may be required for specialized or expensive blood tests, but basic diagnostic blood work is typically approved automatically when ordered by a healthcare provider.

How do I find an affordable Blood Draw near me in Montana?

Compare prices between hospital-based labs and independent clinics, as costs can vary significantly in Montana's diverse healthcare market. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, as many providers offer reduced rates for direct payment. Community health centers throughout Montana often provide laboratory services on sliding scale fees based on income, making them an excellent option for cost-conscious patients.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Blood Draw procedures typically involve collection fees rather than consultation charges, so costs remain relatively consistent whether it's your first visit or a follow-up. However, if you need to see a physician before the blood draw, initial consultations generally cost more than follow-up visits. The actual venipuncture procedure cost remains the same regardless of visit type, with negotiated rates in Montana ranging from $3 to $80 depending on complexity.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Blood Draw visit in Montana?

Yes, medically necessary Blood Draw procedures qualify as eligible expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). This includes diagnostic blood tests ordered by physicians as well as routine screening blood work. Keep receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the blood draw for tax purposes, as the IRS requires proof that expenses were for qualified medical care.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Blood Draw in Montana?

While telemedicine consultations may cost less than in-person visits, Blood Draw procedures still require physical collection at a laboratory or clinic. Telemedicine can reduce overall costs by allowing physicians to review results and discuss findings remotely, eliminating follow-up visit charges. Montana's rural geography makes telemedicine particularly valuable for result discussions, saving patients long drives for routine follow-up appointments after blood work.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$3
$57

Office visit (CPT 36415)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Iowa
Range: $3$95
$57
2Alaska
Range: $3$85
$56
3California
Range: $3$90
$56
4Connecticut
Range: $2$93
$53
5Pennsylvania
Range: $2$90
$49
6Wisconsin
Range: $4$95
$41
7Florida
Range: $2$73
$38
8Indiana
Range: $2$90
$37
9Kentucky
Range: $2$85
$36
10West Virginia
Range: $3$95
$35
11Illinois
Range: $3$85
$35
12Virginia
Range: $1$98
$34
13Texas
Range: $3$90
$33
14Minnesota
Range: $3$91
$32
15North Dakota
Range: $3$91
$32
16Georgia
Range: $2$90
$32
17Rhode Island
Range: $2$90
$32
18Tennessee
Range: $2$85
$31
19Hawaii
Range: $3$85
$30
20Idaho
Range: $3$85
$30
21Utah
Range: $3$85
$30
22Colorado
Range: $2$85
$30
23Oklahoma
Range: $2$85
$30
24Arkansas
Range: $2$85
$30
25North Carolina
Range: $2$85
$30
26South Carolina
Range: $2$85
$30
27Michigan
Range: $1$85
$30
28Ohio
Range: $1$85
$30
29Delaware
Range: $1$82
$29
30Montana
Range: $3$80
$29
31Oregon
Range: $3$80
$29
32Washington
Range: $3$80
$29
33District of Columbia
Range: $1$80
$28
34Massachusetts
Range: $2$80
$28
35Alabama
Range: $1$80
$28
36Wyoming
Range: $3$73
$26
37Vermont
Range: $2$73
$26
38Arizona
Range: $2$73
$26
39New Mexico
Range: $2$70
$25
40New Jersey
Range: $2$68
$24
41Nevada
Range: $3$60
$23
42New York
Range: $1$60
$22
43Nebraska
Range: $3$23
$10
44Missouri
Range: $2$23
$9
45Louisiana
Range: $1$12
$6
46Mississippi
Range: $1$14
$6
47Maine
Range: $3$5
$4
48Kansas
Range: $2$7
$4
49New Hampshire
Range: $2$7
$3
50South Dakota
Range: $3$3
$3
51Maryland
Range: $1$6
$3
Blood Draw (Venipuncture) in Other States