Rapid strep test cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 43 hospitals list a cash price for rapid strep A antigen test from a throat swab, read visually: from $16.20 to $869.11, with a median of $98.80. The lowest listed price is at Hsa St. Joseph — $82.60 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $98.80 at 219 hospitals.
- The median here, $98.80, is 67% above the US median of $59.00.
- That is 6.0× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($16.53).
- Houston, TX ranks 2nd of 4 metro areas in Texas by median, cheapest first.
- 4 of 43 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 43 facilities across 18 cities for code 87880, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 1, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$16.20Hsa St. Joseph
Median$98.80half of hospitals charge less
Highest$869.11in this market
Difference53.6×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $16.20Highest $869.11
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hsa St. Joseph lowest Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $16.20 | $275.06 | $6.31–$275.06 | 94% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ANTIGEN DETECTION-GRP A STREP+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $16.53 | $181.00 | $13.89–$122.85 | 91% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ANTIGEN DETECTION-GRP A STREP+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $16.53 | $181.00 | $13.89–$122.85 | 91% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC LAB RAPID STREP A AG File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $34.65 | $99.00 | $11.90–$99.00 | 65% |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 Rapid Strep Poc+1 more line at this price source file | $41.00 | $58.00 | $35.00–$55.00 | 29% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Detection test by immunoassay with direct visual observation for Streptococcus, group A (strep) File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $55.62 | $92.70 | $15.32–$92.70 | 40% |
| Shriners Childrens Texas Galveston, TX · (409) 770-6600 STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $89.80 | $89.80 | $12.87–$31.74 | — |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $98.80 | $308.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $103.76 | $324.25 | — | 68% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $108.00 | $216.00 | — | 50% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; Streptococcus group A File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $108.98 | $217.96 | $163.47 | 50% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - POCT RAPID STREP A File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $115.04 | $359.50 | — | 68% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $128.00 | $256.00 | — | 50% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC STREP A ASSAY W/OPTIC - RAPID STREP A SCREEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $132.32 | $413.50 | — | 68% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC BETA STREP A ANTIGEN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $138.50 | $277.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC GROUP A STREP, RAPID AG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $152.50 | $305.00 | — | 50% |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX Strep A W/Optic File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $165.30 | $165.30 | $41.33–$123.98 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 STREP A OPTICAL IA+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $455.48 | $455.48 | $27.33–$387.16 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical (ie, visual) observation; Streptococcus, group A +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $869.11 | $869.11 | $52.15–$782.20 | — |
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 $16.20, median $98.80, highest $869.11 — a 53.6× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 37 facilities here, median $108.00. 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 12 of 16 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 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 rapid strep test is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Rapid strep test explained.