C. diff test cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 60 hospitals list a cash price for C. difficile toxin gene test (stool PCR): from $32.50 to $425.37, with a median of $178.55. The lowest listed price is at Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook and 3 other hospitals — $146.05 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $185.40 at 109 hospitals.
- The median here, $178.55, is 31% above the US median of $136.79.
- That is 4.8× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($37.27).
- 12 of 60 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 60 facilities across 44 cities for code 87493, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 9, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$32.50Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook + 3 more
Median$178.55half of hospitals charge less
Highest$425.37in this market
Difference13.1×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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $32.50Highest $425.37
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE TOXIN TCBD GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $32.50 | $130.00 | — | 75% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 C difficile Toxin Gene NAA SO File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $35.99 | $105.84 | $17.60–$68.80 | 66% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 C DIFFICILE PCR File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $37.00 | $234.00 | $22.36–$234.00 | 84% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 C DIFFICILE PCR File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $37.00 | $166.00 | $22.36–$166.00 | 78% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC CYTOMED, DNA, AMP PROBE File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $37.00 | $126.00 | $22.36–$126.00 | 71% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Clostridium Diff by Pcr (Cdtpcr) File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $37.24 | $196.00 | $6.41–$50.65 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Clostridium Diff by Pcr (Cdtpcr) File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $37.24 | $196.00 | $83.50–$164.25 | 81% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $38.22 | $136.50 | $45.05–$143.33 | 72% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 C Diff Amplified Probe File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $41.11 | $193.00 | $29.44–$167.72 | 79% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $41.58 | $126.00 | $37.27–$79.17 | 67% |
| Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $43.62 | $280.00 | $34.66–$308.00 | 84% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Clostridium Diff by Pcr (Cdtpcr) File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $45.08 | $196.00 | $86.04–$206.58 | 77% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 C Diff Amplified Probe File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $52.63 | $147.00 | $33.36–$167.72 | 64% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $78.92 | $328.00 | $141.70–$337.84 | 76% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 Verigene C difficile Panel+7 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.54 | $302.00 | $32.00–$253.68 | 73% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 C Diff Amplified Probe File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $85.66 | $332.00 | $332.00 | 74% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 C Diff Amplified Probe File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $93.15 | $345.00 | $33.36–$258.75 | 73% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Clostridium difficile PCR File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $94.44 | $277.75 | $28.16–$180.54 | 66% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Clostridium difficile PCR File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $94.44 | $277.75 | $28.16–$180.54 | 66% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL C Difficile Detection Pcr+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL C Difficile Detection Pcr+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $107.90 | $166.00 | $22.41–$90.64 | 35% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $126.00 | $180.00 | $26.82–$180.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $148.40 | $212.00 | $31.59–$212.00 | 30% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 C difficile Toxin Gene NAA SO File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $149.70 | $440.28 | $28.16–$286.18 | 66% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 CHG INF AGENT DET NUCLEIC ACID CLOSTRIDIUM AMP PROBE File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $152.14 | $202.86 | — | 25% |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 CHG INF AGENT DET NUCLEIC ACID CLOSTRIDIUM AMP PROBE File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $152.14 | $202.86 | — | 25% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb C Diff Amplified Probe File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $158.00 | $158.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $165.90 | $237.00 | $43.37–$237.00 | 30% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $166.50 | $333.00 | $33.00–$333.00 | 50% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $177.10 | $253.00 | $40.48–$253.00 | 30% |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB C DIFFICILE DETECTION PCR+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB C. DIFFICILE ADMISSION SCREEN+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB C DIFFICILE DETECTION PCR+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $180.00 | $180.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $182.70 | $261.00 | $47.76–$261.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $185.50 | $265.00 | $50.35–$265.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $186.90 | $267.00 | $42.72–$267.00 | 30% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$316.86 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$310.70 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$319.17 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$346.50 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$342.65 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$374.99 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$325.71 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$342.65 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$323.40 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$308.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 C DIFFICILE TOXIN BY PCR File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $192.50 | $385.00 | $31.19–$322.63 | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC Clostridium Toxin a and B, Amplified File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $194.60 | $278.00 | $37.27–$247.42 | 30% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC Clostridium Toxin a and B, Amplified File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $194.60 | $278.00 | $37.27–$247.42 | 30% |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $213.00 | $213.00 | $33.15–$60.30 | — |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN PC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $213.72 | $213.72 | — | — |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $218.40 | $312.00 | $51.79–$312.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $218.40 | $312.00 | $60.22–$312.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $233.80 | $334.00 | $17.08–$334.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB C. Difficile Pcr File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $233.80 | $334.00 | $23.05–$334.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q)+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $260.40 | $372.00 | $25.67–$372.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Ref C. Difficile Pcr (Q)+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $260.40 | $372.00 | $42.12–$372.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref Clostridium Difficile Pcr, Stool File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $260.40 | $372.00 | $55.43–$372.00 | 30% |
| 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 File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $298.90 | $427.00 | $72.59–$405.65 | 30% |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $414.00 | $414.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $414.00 | $414.00 | — | — |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY DNA OR RNA; C-DIFF TOXIN GENE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Infectious Agent Detection By Dna Or Rna; C-Diff Toxin Gene File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Infectious Agent Detection By Dna Or Rna; C-Diff Toxin Gene File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $421.00 | $421.00 | — | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 C DIFF AMPLI PROBE File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $425.37 | $425.37 | $25.52–$60.00 | — |
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 $32.50, median $178.55, highest $425.37 — a 13.1× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 38 facilities here, median $180.00. 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 40 of 44 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 5 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 C. diff test is, what the price covers and why prices differ: C. diff test explained.