Costs of the tests | Hepatitis C Test

Costs of the tests

The cost of different hepatitis C tests may vary with different laboratories. Simple rapid tests can be purchased in pharmacies for under 10€. However, there are many different ones, whose respective test safety can vary.

In case of acute suspicion, the diagnosis should be made clinically by the established search and confirmation tests. These can cost around 100€ for a single test procedure, depending on the required performance. The antibody screening tests are significantly cheaper than the tests for HCV-RNA.

Most expensive are the tests for the subsequent therapy decision to determine the amount and genotype of the Hepatitis C virus. The costs are covered by health insurance in case of a justified medical suspicion. If the suspected diagnosis of hepatitis C is made by a physician, the diagnostic tests must be performed in order to obtain confirmation as quickly as possible and to be able to initiate a therapy with the prospect of a cure.

However, the laboratory procedures are not paid for by the health insurance company if there is no medical indication. For prophylaxis and screening, the tests themselves must be paid for. The rapid tests are also not covered in most cases. These can be purchased at your own expense in pharmacies.

Where can I get tested for hepatitis C?

Search and confirmation tests in hepatitis C diagnostics can be performed by almost all physicians, especially in hospitals. This requires taking blood serum from the vein, which is then tested for antibodies and RNA in hospital or private laboratories. Rapid tests can also be performed at home. Often only a drop of blood from the fingertip or some saliva is needed for this.

Is this also possible during pregnancy?

Hepatitis C diagnostics can also be performed during pregnancy. Only the risks and possible therapies differ. A transmission to the child during pregnancy is very unlikely.

However, direct blood contact increases the probability. Breastfeeding is usually not a problem either and can be continued despite the mother’s HCV infection. The treatment options for HCV infection during pregnancy are very limited.

Conventional drugs are harmful to the unborn child and even newer therapeutic agents cannot yet be recommended and used. After birth, the hepatitis C RNA of the newborn should also be determined as soon as possible in order to be able to treat a potential early infection.