Uric acid test cost in Maryland

In Maryland, 16 hospitals publish a cash price for uric acid blood test: from $3.00 to $41.24, with a median of $5.79. The lowest price is at UPMC Western Maryland (Cumberland). The highest price is 13.7× the lowest.

• The median here, $5.79, is 87% below the US median of $45.00.
• That is 1.3× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($4.52).
• Maryland ranks 2nd of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
• 2 of 16 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.

Why Maryland prices look low: Maryland is the only state where a commission (the HSCRC) sets hospital rates for every payer, so its hospitals publish prices far below the rest of the country. A separate physician fee may still apply.

Maryland law (Health-General §19-214.1) requires hospitals to give free medically necessary care to patients with family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and to cut the bill by 75% up to 250% and 60% up to 300%. With medical debt above 25% of family income in a year, discounts reach up to 500%. Immigration status does not count. Ask the hospital for its financial assistance application. Other states' laws.

Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 84550. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Oct 29, 2026. See them on a map