Official local overview
Need the broadest local starting point?
Start with the Orleans Parish STI testing resource PDF if you want to compare multiple currently listed clinics before choosing one.
See local testing optionsDaily city guide
Free, Low-Cost & Private STD Testing in New Orleans, LA
Looking for STD testing in New Orleans? Start by comparing the Orleans Parish STI resource list, Access Health Louisiana, Tulane Total Health, Odyssey House, University Medical Center, private lab testing, and at-home kits based on cost, privacy, walk-in availability, and whether you may need treatment.
New Orleans does not have one simple citywide testing route. The Orleans Parish resource PDF is useful because it points to multiple active clinics, while Access Health Louisiana, Tulane, Odyssey House, and University Medical Center each fit different needs around free HIV testing, walk-ins, sliding-fee care, and follow-up.
Source-checked city guide
Written by
STD Test Options Editorial Team
Editorial review
Editorially reviewed against official public-health, clinic, and provider sources where available.
Sources checked
12 source listings and 4 clinic/resource listings. Availability, cost, hours, and appointment rules can change.
Medical review
Not medically reviewed. This guide is informational and is not medical advice.
Quick answer: Where should you get STD testing in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, the best starting point depends on whether cost, walk-in access, HIV-specific services, confidentiality, or treatment follow-up matters most:
- If you want the main official overview: Start with the Orleans Parish STI testing resource PDF because it lists multiple city clinics and helps you compare active options before you travel.
- If free HIV testing matters most: Access Health Louisiana is a strong first call because CDC GetTested lists free HIV testing, free home HIV testing, Medicaid, and sliding-scale support there.
- If you want walk-in STI testing: Tulane Total Health says walk-ins are accepted for STI and STD testing, and the New Orleans Health Department PDF lists walk-in HIV testing hours there.
- If you want broader sliding-fee clinic care: Odyssey House can fit better when you want STI services plus PrEP, HIV, or hepatitis-related care with a discounted fee schedule based on income.
- If you may need rapid in-person follow-up: University Medical Center and other clinic-based sites can be better than a private lab or mailed kit when symptoms, treatment, or clinician follow-up matter.
- If privacy and self-pay matter more than clinic support: Compare private lab testing if you want online ordering and upfront pricing, but use a clinic instead if you may need treatment or urgent care.
Free or low-cost clinics in New Orleans
These listings are starting points, not guarantees of availability or price. Call before visiting because hours, eligibility, walk-in availability, and fees can change.
| Clinic | Address | Tests listed | Cost / eligibility | Appointment | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Health Louisiana | 234 Loyola Ave, Suite 300B, New Orleans, LA 70112 | CDC GetTested lists HIV testing and free HIV home testing through Access Health Louisiana. | CDC GetTested says free HIV testing, free HIV home testing, Medicaid, and sliding-scale support are available. Confirm whether other STI tests, medications, or follow-up visits may have separate charges. | CDC GetTested marks the site as appointment required. Access Health Louisiana also says home HIV test kits are handled through a scheduled virtual appointment. | 2026-06-02 |
| Tulane Total Health | 711 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | Tulane says it offers STI and STD testing and treatment, HIV prevention and care, and a free home HIV testing-kit request route. | Tulane says testing is free and confidential for home HIV test requests, but users should confirm insurance, self-pay, and treatment-related costs directly for in-clinic STI services. | Tulane says walk-ins are accepted for STI and STD testing. Its HIV care pages say you can text test to 504-290-0145 to request a free home HIV testing kit. | 2026-06-02 |
| Odyssey House Louisiana Community Health Center | 2700 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125 and 1125 N Tonti St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | Odyssey House says it offers STI prevention and treatment, PrEP, HIV services, and hepatitis C care. | Odyssey House says it uses a discounted fee schedule based on family size and income and does not deny care because of inability to pay. The New Orleans Health Department resource list also notes Medicaid acceptance. | The Orleans Parish resource PDF lists walk-in services, but confirm the exact location, hours, and intake process directly because workflows can vary by site. | 2026-06-02 |
| University Medical Center New Orleans | 2000 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | CDC NPIN lists free HIV testing and free hepatitis C testing at University Medical Center, and LCMC Health describes HIV outpatient and infectious disease care there. | CDC NPIN lists free HIV and hepatitis C testing, but users should confirm whether other STI tests, treatment, or follow-up visits are billed separately. | CDC NPIN says no appointment is required for the listed HIV and hepatitis testing service, but confirm current availability before going. | 2026-06-02 |
When a private lab option may make more sense in New Orleans
New Orleans has several public and community-clinic options, so a private lab is usually not the first stop when free or lower-cost care, treatment, or prevention support matters most. It may still make sense if you:
- want online ordering before visiting a lab;
- prefer upfront self-pay pricing instead of clinic intake or insurance billing;
- want more privacy around scheduling and payment;
- need routine screening and do not expect same-day treatment, vaccines, or urgent follow-up.
Paid option. Not a substitute for medical care if you have symptoms, pelvic or testicular pain, fever, sores, a concerning rash, or a recent HIV exposure that may require urgent PEP evaluation.
Public clinic vs private lab vs at-home STD testing in New Orleans
| Option | Best for | Pros | Trade-offs | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public health or community clinic care | Lower-cost care, treatment access, local follow-up | Official Orleans Parish listings plus Access Health, Tulane, Odyssey House, and UMC each offer different low-cost or clinic-based routes | Appointment rules, walk-in hours, and exact services vary by site, so calling ahead still matters | See local clinics |
| Private lab | Self-pay privacy, online ordering, scheduling flexibility | Upfront pricing and a paid path outside local clinic workflows | Paid out of pocket; lab visit still required; not a treatment clinic | Check private prices |
| At-home kit | Convenience and no clinic visit | Home collection and private ordering | Shipping time, self-collection limits, and follow-up needs vary; not ideal for urgent symptoms or recent exposure | Compare home kits |
Public health or community clinic care
Best for: Lower-cost care, treatment access, local follow-up
Pros: Official Orleans Parish listings plus Access Health, Tulane, Odyssey House, and UMC each offer different low-cost or clinic-based routes
Trade-offs: Appointment rules, walk-in hours, and exact services vary by site, so calling ahead still matters
See local clinicsPrivate lab
Best for: Self-pay privacy, online ordering, scheduling flexibility
Pros: Upfront pricing and a paid path outside local clinic workflows
Trade-offs: Paid out of pocket; lab visit still required; not a treatment clinic
Check private pricesAt-home kit
Best for: Convenience and no clinic visit
Pros: Home collection and private ordering
Trade-offs: Shipping time, self-collection limits, and follow-up needs vary; not ideal for urgent symptoms or recent exposure
Compare home kitsHow much does STD testing cost in New Orleans?
New Orleans cost questions depend on where you go and what kind of testing or follow-up you need. There are real lower-cost routes here, but they are split across several clinics rather than one city-run fee schedule.
- Access Health Louisiana: lists free HIV testing, free home HIV testing, Medicaid, and sliding-scale support through CDC GetTested.
- Odyssey House: says it offers a discounted fee schedule based on family size and income and does not deny care because of inability to pay.
- Tulane Total Health: may fit better when walk-in access matters, but confirm current insurance, self-pay, and follow-up details directly.
- Private lab testing and at-home kits: are usually paid out of pocket and may fit better when privacy, online ordering, or convenience matters more than clinic-based follow-up.
If cost matters most, start with the Orleans Parish resource list, Access Health Louisiana, Odyssey House, Tulane, or University Medical Center before assuming a private paid route is necessary. Access Health Louisiana lists free HIV testing and free home HIV testing through CDC GetTested, Odyssey House says it uses a discounted fee schedule based on family size and income, and Tulane also offers a free home HIV testing-kit request route.
Ask before you go whether treatment, medication, confirmatory testing, or follow-up visits cost extra. A free HIV test does not automatically mean every STI test or every treatment step is free.
New Orleans testing notes: walk-ins, confidentiality, treatment, and recent exposure
The biggest practical issue in New Orleans is choosing the right clinic workflow. Some places are better for free HIV testing, some for walk-ins, and some for ongoing treatment or broader sexual-health care. The Orleans Parish resource PDF helps because it lists multiple options instead of pushing you toward only one clinic brand.
Tulane is one of the clearest walk-in routes, while Access Health Louisiana is clearer for appointment-based free HIV testing and home HIV testing. Odyssey House may fit better if you want a community clinic that can handle STI services alongside PrEP, HIV, or hepatitis-related care. University Medical Center can be a useful backup when you need hospital-linked follow-up instead of a testing-only visit.
If confidentiality matters, ask before you book how results are shared, whether insurance will be billed, whether text or portal messages are used, and whether treatment can be handled on site. That can matter as much as the test itself if you do not want billing or communication surprises.
If you have severe pain, pelvic pain, testicular pain, fever, sores, a concerning rash, or you may need HIV PEP after a recent exposure, do not wait on a routine mailed kit. CDC says PEP should start as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure.
Why the Orleans Parish resource list matters first
New Orleans is easier to navigate when you start with the Orleans Parish STI testing resource PDF because it compares multiple active clinics in one place. That is more practical than assuming one clinic will fit every need around walk-ins, free HIV testing, treatment, or follow-up.
How Access Health, Tulane, Odyssey House, and UMC differ
Access Health Louisiana is clearer for appointment-based free HIV testing and home HIV testing. Tulane is clearer for walk-in STI testing and HIV-related services. Odyssey House is useful for sliding-fee community-clinic care. University Medical Center can make more sense when you want hospital-linked testing or infectious-disease follow-up.
Why privacy and follow-up questions matter in this city
Before booking, ask how test results are delivered, whether insurance will be billed, and whether treatment or partner-related follow-up can be handled on site. In New Orleans, those logistics can be the difference between a routine screening stop and a clinic that can actually manage the next step.
What STD test do you need?
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When to speak with a healthcare provider
Consider contacting a healthcare provider promptly if you have symptoms, are pregnant, had a known exposure, need throat or rectal testing, or are unsure which test is right for you.
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Free STD testing in JacksonvilleFAQ
Where can I get free STD or HIV testing in New Orleans?
Access Health Louisiana and University Medical Center are two clear places to start for free HIV testing, and the Orleans Parish STI resource PDF also lists other clinics with free or low-cost testing notes. Because free services vary by site, confirm exactly which tests are free before you go.
Does New Orleans have walk-in STD testing?
Yes, some local options do. Tulane Total Health says walk-ins are accepted for STI and STD testing, and the Orleans Parish resource PDF also lists walk-in availability for some clinics such as Odyssey House. Call ahead because walk-in hours and intake limits can change.
What is a good lower-cost clinic option in New Orleans?
Odyssey House Louisiana Community Health Center is a practical lower-cost option because it says it uses a discounted fee schedule based on income and also offers STI, HIV, PrEP, and hepatitis-related services.
Does New Orleans have home HIV testing options?
Yes. Access Health Louisiana lists free HIV home testing, and Tulane Total Health says you can request a free home HIV testing kit by texting test to 504-290-0145.
Should I use a private lab or a New Orleans clinic?
Use a New Orleans clinic or another healthcare provider if you have symptoms, may need treatment, want help with confidentiality questions, or may need follow-up after a recent exposure. A private lab may fit routine self-pay screening when online ordering and upfront pricing matter most.
Is private STD testing worth it in New Orleans if free clinics are available?
It can be. Free clinics may be the best choice if cost, treatment access, or public health follow-up matters most. Private lab testing may be worth comparing if you want online ordering, upfront self-pay pricing, scheduling flexibility, or a testing path outside a public clinic setting.
Can I get STD testing in New Orleans without using insurance?
Often, yes. Some public or community clinics may not require insurance, and private lab testing is often paid out of pocket with upfront pricing. If avoiding insurance billing is important to you, compare self-pay private lab options before choosing where to test.
Sources and methodology
- CDC GetTested Access Health Louisiana — CDC GetTested
- Access Health Louisiana free HIV home test kits — Access Health Louisiana
- Orleans Parish STI Testing Resources PDF — New Orleans Health Department
- Orleans Parish STI Testing Resources PDF alternate — New Orleans Health Department
- Tulane Total Health STI STD testing — Tulane Total Health
- Tulane Total Health HIV care — Tulane Total Health
- Odyssey House Louisiana Community Health Center — Odyssey House Louisiana Community Health Center
- Odyssey House patient information — Odyssey House Louisiana Community Health Center
- Odyssey House cost and insurance — Odyssey House Louisiana
- CDC NPIN University Medical Center New Orleans — CDC NPIN
- University Medical Center infectious disease care — LCMC Health
- CDC PEP guidance — CDC