Question about VSAS drug screen and titer costs

[vokey588]

I am in the process of looking through away electives on VSAS, and just encountered one program that requires both a drug screen and MMR, Hep B, and Varicella titers. For anyone who has went through with it, what was the total out of pocket cost for all those tests?

I'm thinking of not applying to programs that require all of that because I doubt the cost is worth it. Do many programs require those (many programs haven't published their requirements yet)? If many do then I'll just suck it up and pay for them.

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[w00tz]

Titer was ~150, drug screen was around 85. Did not shop around, could be cheaper elsewhere.

 

[kalki328]

Many medical schools keep their student's medical records on file. Your student health may be able to take care of additional titers needed. I also required a drug test before I started clinicals so they had that on file as well.

You can inquire with your school's registrar if they have arrangements with a company that does criminal background checks (if you need one). I still had to pay out of pocket but it was at a discount.

 

[baculum1]

I went to my PCP and they ordered the titers. My insurance paid for most of it. I didn't have to deal with a UDS.

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

the place i did uds for, etc., set me up with a company that had me go somewhere for it. Same company did background check, had me send BLS cert, insurance, etc. The school used that company exclusively. Cost $105 I think. Was well worth it in the end...

 

[Carlin]

I think the majority of rotations required titers, so that may be hard to avoid. Only a few required a drug screen.

 

[baculum1]

Make sure you get the titers early. You never know if you have been walking around naked all this time without immune protection. For me I had low MMR titers (equivocal) and had to get multiple MMR vaccines spaced out followed by repeat titers a month later, so don't let this delay the process. A lot of places filled out quick and I lost the chance to rotate at some places due to this.

 

[RSAOaky]

Also some places require a QUANTITATIVE HBV titer rather than a qualitative one so make sure that you have these details settled as well!

 

[kalki328]

On a related note, does anyone know roughly how long it takes to hear back from a program after they confirm you've submitted all the required documents?

 

[baculum1]

Some places never responded at all only to find out they were "full". You have to apply to more than one, from my experience.

 

[md228]

the health dept is cheap for titers 🙂

 

[kingphat42]

in case anyone searches for titer costs in the future - I was stressed out about the costs of away rotations especially titers

I went to my PCP for my "annual wellness physical" and he gave me a lab order form for titers. Aetna through my medical school covered the complete cost