Pap smear (lab reading) cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 51 hospitals list a cash price for Pap test lab reading: liquid-based cervical sample, manual screening: from $17.75 to $239.00, with a median of $83.30. The lowest listed price is at Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange and 3 other hospitals — $65.55 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $112.50 at 89 hospitals.
- The median here, $83.30, is 17% above the US median of $70.94.
- That is 4.1× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($20.26).
- 8 of 51 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 51 facilities across 39 cities for code 88142, 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$17.75Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange + 3 more
Median$83.30half of hospitals charge less
Highest$239.00in this market
Difference13.5×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 $17.75Highest $239.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC PAP SMEAR DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL NO ALT CODE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $17.75 | $71.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC PAP SMEAR SCREENING MANUAL ALT CODE G0123+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $17.75 | $71.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC PAP SMEAR SCREENING MANUAL ALT CODE G0123+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $17.75 | $71.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC PAP SMEAR SCREENING MANUAL ALT CODE G0123+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $17.75 | $71.00 | — | 75% |
| Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Pap test, manual screening File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $20.82 | $66.00 | $18.84–$72.60 | 68% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 88142 AP Bill Gyn Cytology Liquid Prep File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $24.05 | $70.73 | $10.50–$45.97 | 66% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 88142 AP Bill Gyn Cytology Liquid Prep File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $24.05 | $70.73 | $11.76–$45.97 | 66% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Pap Thin Prep Diag (Paptpd)+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $30.97 | $163.00 | $69.44–$136.59 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Pap Thin Prep (Paptp)+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $30.97 | $163.00 | $30.97–$225.76 | 81% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 CYTOPATH PAP TLP MAN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $35.70 | $51.00 | $8.27–$40.80 | 30% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Pap test, manual screening File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $36.46 | $130.20 | $42.97–$136.71 | 72% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Pap test, manual screening File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $36.57 | $152.00 | $65.66–$156.56 | 76% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Pap Thin Prep Diag (Paptpd)+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $37.49 | $163.00 | $81.50–$171.80 | 77% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC THINPREP PAP TEST+3 more lines at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $42.90 | $130.00 | $20.26–$84.45 | 67% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 .Change IG Pap to LB Pap 192555 SO File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $53.04 | $156.00 | $16.26–$101.40 | 66% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 .Change IG Pap to LB Pap 192555 SO File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $53.04 | $156.00 | $16.26–$101.40 | 66% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 Cp Cerv/Vag; Atl; Manual Scrn File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $59.43 | $166.00 | $20.26–$132.80 | 64% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Cp Cerv/Vag; Atl; Manual Scrn File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $60.89 | $236.00 | $236.00 | 74% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 Cp Cerv/Vag; Atl; Manual Scrn File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $61.77 | $290.00 | $20.26–$217.50 | 79% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Cp Cerv/Vag; Atl; Manual Scrn File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $78.30 | $290.00 | $20.26–$217.50 | 73% |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 PAP THINLAY LIQ DIAG File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $81.41 | $81.41 | $4.88–$32.62 | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $22.61–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $22.97–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $19.75–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $17.73–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $21.78–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $23.09–$119.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $8.21–$119.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Ref Surepath Pap, Liquid File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $83.30 | $119.00 | $19.04–$119.00 | 30% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Pap test, manual screening File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $92.13 | $184.25 | $20.24–$184.25 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Thin Prep Pap Diagnostic/Manual Sc+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $95.55 | $147.00 | $19.85–$80.26 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Thin Prep Pap Screening/Manual Scr+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $95.55 | $147.00 | $19.85–$80.26 | 35% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 88142 Q91913 PAP TL LQ DG+5 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $109.62 | $406.00 | $17.87–$341.04 | 73% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$200.25 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$183.15 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$180.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$219.15 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$200.25 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 PAP, THIN PREP File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $112.50 | $225.00 | $18.01–$202.50 | 50% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Pap Test, Liquid, Diagnostic File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $129.50 | $185.00 | $35.89–$236.00 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Thin Prep Cytology Diagnostic File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $139.30 | $199.00 | $20.26–$177.11 | 30% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 Thin Prep Cytology Diagnostic File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $139.30 | $199.00 | $20.26–$177.11 | 30% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Screen Cerv/Vag Thin Layer File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $160.00 | $160.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB THIN PREP PAP DIAGNOSTIC/MANUAL SCRN+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $160.00 | $160.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB THIN PREP PAP DIAGNOSTIC/MANUAL SCRN+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $160.00 | $160.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB THIN PREP PAP DIAGNOSTIC/MANUAL SCRN+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $160.00 | $160.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Pap Test, Liquid, Diagnostic File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $165.20 | $236.00 | $35.16–$236.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Pap Test, Liquid, Diagnostic File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $165.20 | $236.00 | $16.28–$236.00 | 30% |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC CYTOPATH CERV OR VAG THIN LAYER MANUAL UNDER MD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $213.00 | $213.00 | — | — |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Cytopath,Cerv Or Vag,Collctd In Preserv Fluid, Auto Thin Layer Prep,Mnual Scrning Under Md Sprvsn File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $234.00 | $234.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Cytopath,Cerv Or Vag,Collctd In Preserv Fluid, Auto Thin Layer Prep,Mnual Scrning Under Md Sprvsn File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $239.00 | $239.00 | — | — |
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 $17.75, median $83.30, highest $239.00 — a 13.5× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 33 facilities here, median $112.50. 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 37 of 40 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 Pap smear (lab reading) is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Pap smear (lab reading) explained.