COVID-19 PCR test cost in Carlsbad, NM — inpatient
In Carlsbad-Artesia, NM, 2 hospitals list a cash price for COVID-19 PCR test (SARS-CoV-2 lab test) as an inpatient: from $30.80 to $103.80, with a median of $67.30. The lowest listed price is at Carlsbad Medical Center — $36.50 less than the median here. Across New Mexico, the median is $102.89 at 10 hospitals.
Cash prices at 2 facilities across 2 cities for code 87635, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 20, 2026 and Apr 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 Carlsbad-Artesia, NM.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Medical Center lowest Carlsbad, NM · (575) 887-4570 COVID19 PRB | $30.80 | $154.00 | $30.80–$143.22 | 80% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Carlsbad Medical Center Carlsbad, NM · (575) 887-4570 L139900 COVID19 NAA | $40.60 | $203.00 | $40.60–$188.79 | 80% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Carlsbad Medical Center Carlsbad, NM · (575) 887-4570 Q39448 COVID19 | $54.80 | $274.00 | $54.80–$254.82 | 80% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital one side Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 COVID-19, RT-PCR Cepheid AGH | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 covid19 emp 24hr roswell REF | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital one side Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 COVID19 ARIES RT-PCR AGH | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 covid19 24hr lubbock REF | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 CLINIC COVID19 STAT 15 MIN CARLSBAD | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 COVID19 STAT 15 MIN RESULT ABBOTT AGH | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM · (575) 748-3333 covid19 result 48hr ip/emp LC REF990011 | $103.80 | $173.00 | $42.71–$164.35 | 40% | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $30.80, median $67.30, highest $103.80 — a 3.4× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $59.60 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 2 of 2 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 it is
This is the lab (PCR or similar amplification) test for the virus that causes COVID-19. It is more sensitive than a rapid antigen test and is often required before some procedures or travel.
What the price covers
The price usually covers running the test on a swab sample; the collection may be billed separately.