C. diff test cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 51 hospitals list a cash price for C. difficile toxin gene test (stool PCR): from $32.50 to $421.00, with a median of $180.00. The lowest listed price is at Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange and 3 other hospitals — $147.50 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $177.10 at 65 hospitals.
Cash prices at 51 facilities across 36 cities for code 87493, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 C difficile Toxin Gene NAA SO | $35.99 | $105.84 | $17.60–$68.80 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 C DIFFICILE PCR | $37.00 | $166.00 | $22.36–$166.00 | 78% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC CYTOMED, DNA, AMP PROBE | $37.00 | $126.00 | $22.36–$126.00 | 71% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Clostridium Diff by Pcr (Cdtpcr) | $37.24 | $196.00 | $83.50–$164.25 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique | $38.22 | $136.50 | $136.50 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE | $41.58 | $126.00 | $37.27–$79.17 | 67% | — source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE | $41.58 | $126.00 | $37.27–$79.17 | 67% | — source file |
| Roseland Community Hospital Association Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique | $43.62 | $280.00 | $34.66–$308.00 | 84% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Clostridium Diff by Pcr (Cdtpcr) | $45.08 | $196.00 | $86.04–$206.58 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB C. Difficile Pcr | $51.10 | $73.00 | $30.66–$73.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Clostridium difficile PCR | $94.44 | $277.75 | $28.16–$180.54 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Clostridium difficile PCR | $94.44 | $277.75 | $28.16–$180.54 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL C. Difficile Admission Screen | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL C. Difficile Admission Screen | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL C. Difficile Admission Screen | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 C Difficile Detection Pcr | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 C. Difficile Admission Screen | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL C Difficile Detection Pcr | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL C Difficile Detection Pcr | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL C Difficile Detection Pcr | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% | — source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) | $126.00 | $180.00 | $26.82–$180.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $148.40 | $212.00 | $31.59–$212.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 C difficile Toxin Gene NAA SO | $149.70 | $440.28 | $28.16–$286.18 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb C Diff Amplified Probe | $158.00 | $158.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) | $165.90 | $237.00 | $43.37–$237.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique | $166.50 | $333.00 | $33.00–$333.00 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) | $177.10 | $253.00 | $40.48–$253.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Evanston, IL HB C. DIFFICILE ADMISSION SCREEN | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB C. DIFFICILE ADMISSION SCREEN | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB C DIFFICILE DETECTION PCR | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB C DIFFICILE DETECTION PCR | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB C. DIFFICILE ADMISSION SCREEN | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Evanston, IL HB C DIFFICILE DETECTION PCR | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $182.70 | $261.00 | $47.76–$261.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $185.50 | $265.00 | $50.35–$265.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $186.90 | $267.00 | $42.72–$267.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$316.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$315.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$314.25 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$302.63 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$310.88 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$333.75 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$337.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$365.25 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$300.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$308.63 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR | $187.50 | $375.00 | $37.27–$333.75 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN HC Clostridium Toxin a and B, Amplified | $194.60 | $278.00 | $37.27–$247.42 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC Clostridium Toxin a and B, Amplified | $194.60 | $278.00 | $37.27–$247.42 | 30% | — source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE | $213.00 | $213.00 | $33.15–$60.30 | — | — source file |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital|LaRabida Childrens Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN PC | $213.72 | $213.72 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital|LaRabida Childrens Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CDIFF PCR, SCREENING | $213.72 | $213.72 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $218.40 | $312.00 | $51.79–$312.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $218.40 | $312.00 | $60.22–$312.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB C. Difficile Pcr | $233.80 | $334.00 | $23.05–$334.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref Clostridium Difficile Pcr, Stool | $260.40 | $372.00 | $55.43–$372.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) | $260.40 | $372.00 | $25.67–$372.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref Clostridium Difficile Pcr, Stool | $260.40 | $372.00 | $25.67–$372.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H INF AGENT DET NUCLEIC C DIF TOXIN GENE(S) AMP PROBE | $298.90 | $427.00 | $72.59–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED | $414.00 | $414.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED | $414.00 | $414.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Infectious Agent Detection By Dna Or Rna; C-Diff Toxin Gene | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY DNA OR RNA; C-DIFF TOXIN GENE | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Infectious Agent Detection By Dna Or Rna; C-Diff Toxin Gene | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $32.50, median $180.00, highest $421.00 — a 13.0× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 33 facilities here, median $187.50. 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 32 of 37 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 it is 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 it is
This stool test looks for the toxin gene of Clostridioides difficile, a cause of severe diarrhea, often after antibiotics or a hospital stay.
What the price covers
The price usually covers running the stool test; the collection kit is often included.