STD Testing in Independence, MO

If you’re sexually active and live in the Independence, area, you have several options for regular, private and affordable STD testing, which can go a long way in keeping an eye on you and your partner’s health.

Missouri outpaces the national average for cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and primary and secondary syphilis. The state is below the national average in congenital syphilis. As of 2020, Jackson County, which is home to Independence (and Kansas City), has more cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis than St. Louis County, which is home to 300,000 more people. By getting tested regularly, you can protect yourself.

You can find 40 STD testing locations, 38 0f which are free or low cost, if you need to get checked and live in the Independence area. The Jackson County Health Department provides various low-cost clinical services, including confidential testing, treatment, and risk-reduction counseling. For walk-in appointments, Thrive Health Connection in Kansas City, and two CVS MinuteClinic locations in Independence offer you quick, confidential testing.

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Choose the STD testing option you’re most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctor’s orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you think you might have an STD, it’s best to get tested. STDs don’t go away if you ignore them; they’ll just get worse and could grow into more serious health consequences. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to issues like infertility and more serious infections. You can also spread STDs to sexual partners if you have an untreated infection.

Ask your health care provider for STD testing recommendations or follow CDC recommendations for STD testing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

You can request specific STD tests or a full panel. An STD clinic can recommend tests based on your sexual health and symptoms.

A routine STD panel may include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV 1 and 2
• Syphilis

A full-panel STD test adds:

• Herpes (oral, genital)
• Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Independence, MO?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing.

Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

Do I Need an Appointment for Testing in Independence, MO?

Appointment policies vary by location, so call ahead or check the clinic website before you head in for a test. Some clinics or testing centers accept walk-ins or have same-day or next-day appointments.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Independence, MO?

Your STD test results time will depend on the test. Some clinics offer rapid HIV testing, which can offer results in less than 30 minutes. Bacterial STD testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) takes several days to get results, while viral STD testing (HPV, herpes, or HIV) results can take just one to two days.

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

The Jackson County Health Department provides various low-cost clinical services for you, including confidential STD testing, treatment, and risk-reduction counseling. Some STDs that you can be tested for include bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts, and chlamydia. Services are available if you’re 13 and over. To verify eligibility and schedule an appointment, you should call the clinic, which is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. In addition to STD testing, the department provides you with clinical services such as immunizations, CPR and First Aid training, pregnancy testing, and cancer screenings.

313 S. Liberty St. Independence, Mo. 64050, 816-404-6456
Website

Independence Health Center is operated by Planned Parenthood Great Plains and provides you an array of affordable sexual and reproductive services. It offers you testing, diagnosis, and treatment for STDs such as chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Test results are available within a few days to a few weeks, and treatment is available if you test positive. The clinic also provides you with STD prevention, including condoms and HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, and STD and safer sex education. Some STD services are available via telehealth. Appointments are required (though you may be able to secure a same-day walk-in appointment) for in-person services and can be made over the phone or online. The center is open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

815 N. Noland Road Independence, Mo. 64050, 816-252-3800
Website

Swope Health Independence provides affordable health care services in Independence and the surrounding region. It offers you a variety of health screenings, including tests for STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis. You can also receive vaccines for hepatitis A and B and HPV. The clinic accepts most types of health insurance, and it has a sliding fee schedule if you don’t have insurance. Appointments are required for services during normal office hours, which is 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

11320 E. Truman Road Independence, Mo. 64050, 816-599-5201
Website

CVS MinuteClinic has two locations in Independence. This walk-in clinic provides a full array of affordable services, including STD testing and treatment. Services are available if you’re 18 years of age and older, although you may be ineligible if you’re pregnant. STDs that the clinic screens for include chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV. If you test positive for bacterial infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, you are given an antibiotic, and if you test positive for hepatitis, syphilis, or HIV, you are directed to another healthcare provider for treatment. The MinuteClinic’s are open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

17301 E. U.S. Highway 24 Independence, Mo. 64056, Multiple Independence locations 866-389-2727
Website

KC Care Health Center is located in Kansas City, which is situated about 7 miles west of Independence. This nonprofit clinic offers you testing and screening services for HIV, hepatitis C, HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Testing is provided on a walk-in basis during certain hours, and appointments can be made for testing services outside of those hours, which are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic also has an onsite pharmacy where you can receive low-cost prescriptions to treat STDs.

4601 Independence Ave. Kansas City, Mo. 64124, 816-753-5144
Website

Thrive Health Connection, in Kansas City, is about 12 miles to the southwest of Independence. It provides you with free HIV and STD testing during walk-in hours, by appointment, and at its outreach testing events. HIV results are available during the visit, and chlamydia and gonorrhea results are available within two weeks. In addition to STD testing, this organization offers case management, mental health services, and STD prevention and education services.

5008 Prospect Ave., Suite 100 Kansas City, Mo. 64130, 816-561-8784
Website

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed September 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed September 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed September 2021