Urine dipstick, automated cost in Denver, CO
In Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, 21 hospitals list a cash price for urinalysis without microscope exam, automated: from $12.73 to $541.98, with a median of $255.52. The lowest listed price is at Denver Health and Hospital Authority — $242.79 less than the median here. Across Colorado, the median is $43.00 at 47 hospitals.
- The median here, $255.52, is 880% above the US median of $26.07.
- That is 113.6× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($2.25).
- 17 of 21 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 21 facilities across 9 cities for code 81003, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Oct 30, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 1, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$12.73Denver Health and Hospital Authority
Median$255.52half of hospitals charge less
Highest$541.98in this market
Difference42.6×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO.
median
Lowest $12.73Highest $962.57
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Health and Hospital Authority lowest Denver, CO · (303) 436-4927 HC URINALYSIS,AUTO,W/O SCOPE File of Apr 30, 2026 · source file | $12.73 | $36.36 | $2.25–$20.36 | 65% |
| National Jewish Health Denver, CO · (303) 388-4461 HC URINALYSIS W/O MICRO AUTOMATED File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $17.50 | $25.00 | $2.25–$21.25 | 30% |
| Childrens Hospital Colorado Aurora, CO · (720) 777-1234 HB=UA DIPSTICK (POC) File of Apr 17, 2026 · source file | $40.30 | $62.00 | $6.20–$57.04 | 35% |
| Childrens Hospital Colorado Aurora, CO · (720) 777-1234 HB=UA DIP STICK File of Apr 17, 2026 · source file | $45.50 | $70.00 | $7.00–$64.40 | 35% |
| Spalding at Psl Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 SPEC GRAV UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $62.57 | $62.57 | $16.83–$27.66 | — |
| Childrens Hospital Colorado Aurora, CO · (720) 777-1234 HB=CSHB POCT UA AUTO WITHOUT MICROSCOPY+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 17, 2026 · source file | $68.90 | $106.00 | $10.60–$97.52 | 35% |
| AdventHealth Castle Rock Castle Rock, CO · (720) 455-5000 HC GLUCOSE URINE QUALITATIVE+13 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $130.13 | $130.13 | — | — |
| AdventHealth Parker Parker, CO · (303) 269-4000 HC URINALYSIS DIPSTICK+13 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $130.13 | $130.13 | — | — |
| AdventHealth Littleton Littleton, CO · (303) 730-8900 HC URINALYSIS DIPSTICK+13 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $130.13 | $130.13 | — | — |
| AdventHealth Porter Denver, CO · (303) 778-1955 HC URINALYSIS DIPSTICK+13 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $130.13 | $130.13 | — | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 SPEC GRAV UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $132.00 | $132.00 | $20.06–$118.80 | — |
| Spalding at Psl Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $137.23 | $137.23 | $20.86–$123.51 | — |
| Spalding at Psl Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 KETONES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $170.04 | $170.04 | $25.85–$153.04 | — |
| Craig Hospital Englewood, CO HC URINALYSIS AUTO W/O SCOPE File of Jun 25, 2026 · source file | $176.88 | $464.25 | $1.91–$417.83 | 62% |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 NITRITES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $214.25 | $214.25 | $32.57–$192.82 | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 KETONES UR AUTO+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $248.75 | $248.75 | $37.81–$223.88 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO BILIRUBIN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $255.52 | $255.52 | $38.84–$229.97 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 BILIRUBIN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $255.52 | $255.52 | $38.84–$229.97 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO GLUC UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $262.03 | $262.03 | $39.83–$235.83 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 GLUC UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $262.03 | $262.03 | $39.83–$235.83 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 UROBILINOGEN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $275.59 | $275.59 | $41.89–$248.03 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO UROBILINOGEN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $275.59 | $275.59 | $41.89–$248.03 | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 UROBILINOGEN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $277.00 | $277.00 | $80.33 | — |
| HCA Healthone Central Park ER Denver, CO · (303) 320-2121 SPEC GRAV UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $286.00 | $286.00 | $43.47–$257.40 | — |
| HCA Healthone Rose Denver, CO · (303) 320-2121 SPEC GRAV UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $286.00 | $286.00 | $43.47–$257.40 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 BILIRUBIN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $295.75 | $295.75 | $44.95–$266.18 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 BILIRUBIN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $295.75 | $295.75 | $44.95–$266.18 | — |
| HCA Healthone Southwest ER Littleton, CO · (303) 788-5000 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $299.00 | $299.00 | $45.45–$269.10 | — |
| HCA Healthone Belmar ER Lakewood, CO · (303) 788-5000 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $299.00 | $299.00 | $45.45–$269.10 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 GLUC UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $300.04 | $300.04 | $45.61–$270.04 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 GLUC UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $300.04 | $300.04 | $45.61–$270.04 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO LEUK EST UR AUTO+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $305.97 | $305.97 | $46.51–$275.37 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 LEUK EST UR AUTO+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $305.97 | $305.97 | $46.51–$275.37 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 UROBILINOGEN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $316.07 | $316.07 | $48.04–$284.46 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 UROBILINOGEN UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $316.07 | $316.07 | $48.04–$284.46 | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 LEUK EST UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $316.75 | $316.75 | $152.04 | — |
| HCA Healthone Swedish Englewood, CO · (303) 788-5000 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $325.47 | $325.47 | $49.47–$292.92 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 LEUK EST UR AUTO+2 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $355.15 | $355.15 | $53.98–$319.63 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 SPEC GRAV UR AUTO+2 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $355.15 | $355.15 | $53.98–$319.63 | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 PH UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $393.00 | $393.00 | $113.97 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 KETONES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $425.86 | $425.86 | $64.73–$383.27 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO KETONES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $425.86 | $425.86 | $64.73–$383.27 | — |
| HCA Healthone Central Park ER Denver, CO · (303) 320-2121 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $466.00 | $466.00 | $70.83–$419.40 | — |
| HCA Healthone Rose Denver, CO · (303) 320-2121 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $466.00 | $466.00 | $70.83–$419.40 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO PH UR AUTO+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $482.83 | $482.83 | $73.39–$434.55 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 UA W O MICRO AUTO+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $482.83 | $482.83 | $73.39–$434.55 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 KETONES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $520.40 | $520.40 | $79.10–$468.36 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 KETONES UR AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $520.40 | $520.40 | $79.10–$468.36 | — |
| HCA Healthone Mountain Ridge Thornton, CO · (303) 451-7800 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $541.98 | $541.98 | $82.38–$487.78 | — |
| HCA Healthone Northeast ER Thornton, CO · (303) 451-7800 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $541.98 | $541.98 | $82.38–$487.78 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $575.47 | $575.47 | $87.47–$517.92 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $575.47 | $575.47 | $87.47–$517.92 | — |
| HCA Healthone Presbyterian St Lukes Denver, CO · (303) 839-6000 UA W O MICRO AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $662.00 | $662.00 | $100.62–$595.80 | — |
| HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Lone Tree, CO · (720) 225-1000 PROTEIN UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $794.22 | $794.22 | $120.72–$714.80 | — |
| HCA Healthone South Parker ER Parker, CO PROTEIN UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $794.22 | $794.22 | $120.72–$714.80 | — |
| Centennial Hospital A Campus of Tmca Englewood, CO · (303) 873-5511 PROTEIN UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $962.57 | $962.57 | $146.31–$866.31 | — |
| HCA Healthone Aurora Aurora, CO · (303) 873-5511 PROTEIN UR QUAL AUTO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $962.57 | $962.57 | $146.31–$866.31 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $12.73, median $255.52, highest $541.98 — a 42.6× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 9 facilities here, median $130.13. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 4 of 17 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What urine dipstick, automated is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Urine dipstick, automated explained.