Pap smear cost in Maryland
In Maryland, 5 hospitals publish a cash price for Pap test (liquid-based, automated screening with review): from $56.94 to $187.82, with a median of $70.10. The lowest price is at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (Towson). The highest price is 3.3× the lowest.
- The median here, $70.10, is 16% below the US median of $83.10.
- That is 2.6× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($26.61).
- Maryland ranks 14th of 48 states by median, cheapest first.
- 1 of 5 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 88175. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Oct 29, 2026. See them on a map
Hospitals in Maryland, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Baltimore Medical Center lowest Towson · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC Pap Thin Layer Auto | $56.94 | $58.10 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC CYTO, AUTO THIN PREP & SCR, MAN RESCR | $64.06 | $65.37 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Frederick Health Hospital Frederick · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV CYTOPATHOLOGY, CERVICAL OR VAG | $70.10 | $71.53 | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| TidalHealth Peninsula Salisbury · Salisbury, MD HC CYTOLOGY AUTO THIN PREP SCREEN | $164.66 | $168.02 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Atlantic General Hospital Berlin · Ocean Pines, MD Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; with screening by automated system and manual rescreening or review, under physician supervision | $187.82 | $187.82 | Apr 10, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2 | $56.94 | $60.50 |
| Ocean Pines, MD | 1 | $187.82 | $187.82 |
| Salisbury, MD | 1 | $164.66 | $164.66 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1 | $70.10 | $70.10 |
What Pap smear is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Pap smear explained.
Pap test (liquid-based, automated screening with review) in other states
- Alabama$32.70
- Alaska$86.60
- Arizona$39.92
- Arkansas$42.25
- California$82.00
- Colorado$177.08
- Connecticut$128.46
- Delaware$213.20, 4 hospitals
- Florida$40.95
- Georgia$46.80
- Hawaii$196.00
- Idaho$102.88
- Illinois$132.48
- Indiana$83.43
- Iowa$79.32
- Kansas$80.15
- Kentucky$48.00
- Louisiana$43.47
- Maine$64.73
- Massachusetts$106.00
- Michigan$74.22
- Minnesota$85.05
- Mississippi$33.00
- Missouri$74.19
- Montana$79.45
- Nebraska$86.00
- Nevada$29.40, 3 hospitals
- New Hampshire$119.69
- New Jersey$29.27
- New Mexico$93.30
- New York$68.00
- North Carolina$77.32
- North Dakota$114.75
- Ohio$97.50
- Oklahoma$67.60
- Oregon$90.75
- Pennsylvania$81.19
- Puerto Rico$758.00, 1 hospital
- Rhode Island$120.00
- South Carolina$81.47
- South Dakota$103.20
- Tennessee$38.47
- Texas$75.80
- Utah$130.63
- Vermont$97.02
- Virginia$98.00
- Washington$92.30
- West Virginia$82.00
- Wisconsin$105.28
- Wyoming$100.41
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.