HIV viral load test cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 55 hospitals list a cash price for HIV viral load test (HIV-1 RNA, quantitative): from $81.76 to $3,214.00, with a median of $88.00. The lowest listed price is at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and 17 other hospitals — $6.24 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $303.45 at 277 hospitals.
- The median here, $88.00, is 68% below the US median of $276.38.
- That is about the same as Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($85.10).
- Houston, TX has the lowest median of 4 metro areas in Texas with at least 10 hospitals pricing this code.
- 15 of 55 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 55 facilities across 19 cities for code 87536, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$81.76Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital + 17 more
Median$88.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,214.00in this market
Difference39.3×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $81.76Highest $3,214.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) lowest Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital lowest Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) lowest Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center lowest The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital lowest Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital lowest Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital lowest Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital lowest Bellaire, TX HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center lowest Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital lowest Houston, TX HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital lowest Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann lowest Houston, TX HC RL HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.76 | $255.50 | — | 68% |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 RL HIV GENOTYPE+4 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $83.40 | $771.63 | $44.73–$866.31 | 89% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 HIV-1 QUANT&REVRSE TRNSCRPJ (QUANT RNA PCR - ZRNAR)+4 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $85.10 | $724.00 | $71.48–$470.60 | 88% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 HIV-1 NA QUAN, HIVGIL+4 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $85.10 | $659.00 | $71.48–$470.60 | 87% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC HIV QNT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $88.00 | $176.00 | — | 50% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 HIV-1 RNAQUANT PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $163.49 | $467.10 | $67.91–$436.56 | 65% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 HIV-1 QUANT&REVRSE TRNSCRPJ File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $200.03 | $571.50 | $71.48–$459.49 | 65% |
| Texas Children's Hospital one side Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC HIV-1 RT-QPCR+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $271.35 | $405.00 | $85.10–$384.75 | 33% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.28 | $916.50 | — | 68% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC LAB HIV-1 RNA File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $303.45 | $867.00 | $61.27–$867.00 | 65% |
| Texas Children's Hospital one side Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC HIV-1 QUANTITATIVE RT-PCR+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $341.03 | $509.00 | $85.10–$483.55 | 33% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV1 RNA PCR QUANT TRANSPLANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $358.40 | $1,120.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC HIV-1 RNA PCR QUANT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $385.36 | $1,204.25 | — | 68% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $395.00 | $790.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC HIV-1 RNA QUANT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $417.50 | $835.00 | — | 50% |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 Hiv 1 Rna Quantitation source file | $438.00 | $626.00 | $376.00–$595.00 | 30% |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX HIV-1 Quant&Revrse Trnscrpj File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $851.00 | $851.00 | $212.75–$638.25 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 HIV 1 RNA QN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $875.25 | $875.25 | $52.52–$787.73 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,035.25 | $1,035.25 | $62.12–$879.96 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 HIV 1 RNA QN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,640.56 | $1,640.56 | $72.91–$1,394.48 | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,800.49 | $1,800.49 | $108.03–$1,620.44 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 HIV 1 RNA QN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,900.24 | $1,900.24 | $72.91–$1,710.22 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 HIV 1 DNA QN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,992.89 | $1,992.89 | $119.57–$1,693.96 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 HIV 1 RNA QN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,216.65 | $2,216.65 | $133.00–$1,884.15 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 HIV 1 DNA QN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,294.64 | $2,294.64 | $803.12 | — |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX HIV VIRAL LOAD, QUANT (DNA) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,305.00 | $2,305.00 | — | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,353.89 | $2,353.89 | $72.91–$2,000.81 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,550.16 | $2,550.16 | $72.91–$2,295.14 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 HIV 1 RNA QN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,550.16 | $2,550.16 | $153.01–$2,295.14 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 HIV 1 RNA QN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,563.78 | $2,563.78 | $72.91–$2,179.21 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,806.79 | $2,806.79 | $72.91–$2,526.11 | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 HIV 1 RNA QN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,806.79 | $2,806.79 | $349.86–$982.38 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); HIV-1, quantification, includes reverse transcription when performed +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,214.00 | $3,214.00 | $192.84–$2,892.60 | — |
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 $81.76, median $88.00, highest $3,214.00 — a 39.3× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 40 facilities here, median $86.55. 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 13 of 27 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 HIV viral load test is, what the price covers and why prices differ: HIV viral load test explained.