Who pays for newborn screening?

Most states collect a fee for newborn screening. The specific cost of screening varies from state to state in part because the states test for different conditions and pay for their programs in different ways. Birthing centers and hospitals sometimes bill directly for newborn screening or include the fee in the maternity charges. Many health insurance programs pay the fees for newborn screening. For eligible families, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program or Medicaid can pay the fees for newborn screening.

Infants are tested regardless of their own or their family’s health insurance coverage.¹

The NewSTEPs provides information about the cost of newborn screening in each state and the District of Columbia.