Houston County, Alabama reported gonorrhea runs about 45% higher than the US average. In Ashford, Alabama, you may need testing after a possible exposure or as part of routine care. Clinics may bill insurance, while private labs often let you pay a flat price. See your options below.
Available testing centers
7 testing options are listed for Ashford, AL. The nearest, Labcorp, is about 7.7 miles away. Compare community and public clinics, private labs, and at-home kits below.
Listings tagged Community health center are federally funded health centers and rural clinics that treat everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay: required to bill on a sliding fee scale and provide confidential care, and in many states minors may consent to their own STI testing. A Title X tag flags centers funded for confidential family-planning services; confirm current participation when you call.
Source: CMS FQHC & Rural Health Clinic enrollment files (data.cms.gov), refreshed quarterly. Title X status reflects the latest OPA grantee list.
Alabama Department of Public Health in Dothan tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, and treats bacterial STIs at the same visit. HPV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and mpox vaccines are available alongside family planning. Every service here runs at no fee, with appointments required.
The no-cost structure at this clinic is underwritten by public health department funding, which means the zero-fee policy covers testing, STI treatment, vaccines, and family planning equally. Not selectively. Staff process Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance when applicable, but the fee genuinely does not exist for those without coverage.
Spanish-language care at this Dothan location is delivered directly: clinical conversations, counseling, and prevention education are conducted in Spanish by staff at the clinic, so the exchange between provider and patient carries no lag and no dropped clinical nuance.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tests offered
Serves
Care services
Prevention services
Fees & payment
Listing verified May 2026 · Source: CDC NPIN
MainStreet Family Care in Dothan runs the full STI panel alongside same-visit treatment for bacterial infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis: with fees on a sliding scale accepted through Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. Walk-ins are welcome, and PrEP and PEP are available for ongoing prevention.
MainStreet Family Care prescribes PrEP, daily oral medication that keeps HIV-negative status intact, and PEP for post-exposure situations, both managed on-site rather than handed off. Having both prevention tools at one practice means ongoing labs, refills, and dosing adjustments stay with the same clinical team.
Leaving herpes or hepatitis undetected means an infection continues without treatment or monitoring while a person waits on a separate appointment somewhere else. MainStreet Family Care's panel includes herpes, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing alongside the standard four, so those gaps don't persist past a single visit.
Languages
English
Tests offered
Serves
Care services
Prevention services
Fees & payment
Listing verified Oct 2025 · Source: CDC NPIN
Five Horizons Health Services in Taylor tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and HIV on a sliding scale, and every service carries no fee, with same-visit treatment for bacterial infections available by appointment.
Plenty of clinics post a sliding scale and still leave a balance for certain services. Five Horizons doesn't: the no-fee structure applies to the full range of care, from the initial test through STI treatment, vaccinations, and HIV management, with nothing carved out.
Five Horizons carries Ryan White Program funding, which means HIV care doesn't stop at a positive result. The same clinic that runs the rapid test also manages ongoing HIV/AIDS medical treatment and medication adherence counseling, keeping a patient's care with one provider long-term.
PrEP at Five Horizons means the prescribing, the required follow-up labs, and adherence counseling all happen within the clinic, and PrEP is available at no cost for uninsured patients. PEP is also prescribed on-site, with the medical staff to support both regimens directly.
Languages
English
Tests offered
Serves
Care services
Prevention services
Fees & payment
Listing verified Mar 2026 · Source: CDC NPIN + HRSA
Free tool · not a clinic
Testing too soon can miss an infection. Enter the date of possible exposure to see the earliest a test can reliably detect each STI.
| Infection | Earliest reliable test | Conclusive after |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 7 days after exposure | 14 days after exposure |
| Gonorrhea | 7 days after exposure | 14 days after exposure |
| Trichomoniasis | 7 days after exposure | 28 days after exposure |
| HIV (NAT / RNA) | 10 days after exposure | 33 days after exposure |
| HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) | 18 days after exposure | 45 days after exposure |
| HIV (antibody) | 21 days after exposure | 84 days after exposure |
| Syphilis | 21 days after exposure | 42 days after exposure |
| Hepatitis B | 21 days after exposure | 42 days after exposure |
| Hepatitis C | 56 days after exposure | 77 days after exposure |
| Herpes (HSV) | 28 days after exposure | 112 days after exposure |
Guidance only, confirm timing with a clinician. A negative result before the conclusive date may need a repeat test.
Typical out-of-pocket ranges by option, actual cost depends on which tests you need.
Public / community clinic
Free HIV testing is common
Private lab (self-pay)
Never billed to insurance
At-home kit
Mailed to your door, private
Doctor / urgent care
Often $0 preventive with insurance
No centers match those filters. Clear the service-type filter or the opening-hours filters to see every center.
Every other option
Beyond the dedicated testing centers above: at-home kits by mail, hospital labs certified for STI testing, local clinicians who can order a panel during a regular visit, pharmacies for self-test kits and prescriptions, and online PrEP & treatment.
Test from home
The nearest testing center is about 8 miles away; if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to Ashford, you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.
Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome (opens in a new tab) program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.
In-home collection
$79 & up
Best for simplicity & support
$89 & up
Best value: single tests
$49 & up
Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.
Also in the area
Beyond the public testing sites above, these federally certified (CLIA) labs serve Houston County, each lab's town is shown on its card below. Many test through a doctor's order or by appointment rather than walk-in, so call ahead to confirm STD/STI testing and availability before visiting.
4300 West Main Street Suite 31, Dothan, AL 36305
CMS-certified lab Accredited · COLA
2812 Hartford Highway Suite 1, Dothan, AL 36305
CMS-certified lab Accredited · COLA
5565 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
CMS-certified lab Accredited · COLA
Source: CMS CLIA registry (Provider of Services), Q1 2026. Federal public records: active CLIA-certified laboratories near Ashford. A CLIA certificate records only that a laboratory is federally certified — it does not confirm the site performs STD testing, nor its hours, price or access. Inclusion is not an endorsement; always call to verify.
Local clinicians
Beyond dedicated clinics, 178 primary-care, OB-GYN, infectious-disease and other clinicians have a CMS practice record within 30 miles of Ashford. They may be able to evaluate symptoms or order a confidential STD panel during a regular visit, and 18 offer telehealth.
Jonathan Payne, MD
OB-GYN · 415 Midland Street, Ashford
Arielle Dahlin, MD Telehealth
Internal medicine · 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan
William Hundley, MD
Internal medicine · 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan
James Conner, MD
Internal medicine · 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan
Sai Avula, MD Telehealth
Internal medicine · 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan
Stephanie Gibson, MD
OB-GYN · 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan
These are registry-listed clinicians, not dedicated STD-testing clinics. CMS records do not independently verify current licensure, testing services, availability, price, or new-patient status. Confirm each detail before booking. Source: CMS Doctors & Clinicians.
Nearby pharmacies
No pharmacy near Ashford, AL publishes an STD-related service or holds a current CLIA testing certificate, so these are simply the closest. Contact a location directly to confirm counter hours, services, prices, and availability before visiting.
Wiregrass Community Pharmacy
1.7 miGeneric Pharmacy
7.6 miGeneric Pharmacy-Dothan
7.6 mi
7.6 mi Circle Pharmacy
7.8 mi
7.8 mi Showing the 6 closest pharmacies to Ashford, AL.
Directory records identify nearby pharmacies. Service, stock, price, and hours information is shown only when supported by current location-specific evidence.
Prevention & treatment
Testing is one step. For residents of Ashford, telehealth covers the rest: HIV-prevention medication (PrEP) and DoxyPEP to lower future risk, and discreet online treatment if a result comes back positive. All prescribed by licensed U.S. clinicians.
Visit from $39
Online STI treatment & DoxyPEP: same-day prescriptions to your pharmacy
$0 with most insurance
Free online PrEP & DoxyPEP: HIV prevention, home lab kits, no in-person visit
Visit from $0 insured
Telehealth STI treatment and sexual-health care, delivered or to your pharmacy
From $0 insured
Telehealth PrEP & DoxyPEP with at-home testing and ongoing monitoring
Pricing varies by insurance and changes often, confirm on the provider's site. These services are not a substitute for emergency care.
STD stats & rates
How reported STI rates in Houston County, the county that includes Ashford, compare with Alabama and U.S. averages, based on the most recent 2023 surveillance data. An estimated ~26% of residents are aged 15–34 (ACS), the age group with the highest reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates nationally.
#20 of 67 Alabama counties for chlamydia, a higher rate than 70% of the state
| Infection | Houston County | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 732.1 794 cases ▲ 12% | 651.1 | 492.2 |
| Gonorrhea | 260.9 283 cases ▲ 15% | 226.9 | 179.5 |
| Syphilis (P&S) | 45.2 49 cases ▲ 58% | 28.6 | 15.8 |
| Syphilis (early) | 20.3 22 cases ≈ the state average | 20.4 | 16 |
| Syphilis (late/unknown) | 38.7 42 cases ▲ 58% | 24.5 | 29.5 |
Rates per 100,000 population, 2023. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis). Population figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. These figures are the latest available surveillance estimates. Bars are scaled to the highest rate shown.
Reading these numbers: reported case rates only count infections that were actually tested for and diagnosed, so they track local screening effort as much as true spread: a higher rate can reflect more testing, a lower one less. Either way, most STIs cause no symptoms, so treat the figures above as context rather than a verdict, and test on the CDC's schedule regardless of how your area looks.
Between 2020 and 2023 in Houston County, chlamydia has fallen from 758.4 to 732.1 per 100,000 (3%), gonorrhea has fallen from 418.8 to 260.9 per 100,000 (38%), and P&S syphilis has risen from 17.7 to 45.2 per 100,000 (155%).
The 2020 dip reflects reduced pandemic-era screening, not lower transmission. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis).
Community health context
Sources: CDC PLACES (ZIP), County Health Rankings, CDC/ATSDR SVI, HRSA HPSA, HRSA MUA/P, Neighborhood Atlas ADI. Lower insurance coverage, fewer routine checkups, and a thin primary-care ratio all raise the value of low-cost public clinics and at-home testing in Houston County.
Local HIV snapshot
Federal priority area: Alabama is one of the U.S. jurisdictions prioritized under the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative: targeted federal funding to expand local HIV testing, PrEP, and prevention.
Houston County HIV care continuum (2023)
Houston County recorded 18.7 new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 (2023), against 16.5 statewide and 13.7 nationally. Among Houston County residents living with HIV, 86.5% are in care · 71.6% are virally suppressed. Early, routine testing is what moves these numbers: it is the entry point to PrEP, treatment, and viral suppression.
Sources: AIDSVu (Emory/Gilead) · CDC AHEAD · CDC AtlasPlus · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county care continuum). The CDC recommends everyone aged 13–64 test for HIV at least once: every lab and clinic listed above offers HIV testing, and free rapid HIV testing is available at a local health department.
Congenital syphilis, passed from parent to baby in pregnancy, is the fastest-rising STI in the country. U.S. cases climbed from 2,163 in 2020 to 3,882 in 2023. It is almost entirely preventable: the CDC recommends a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit, and every clinic and lab listed for Houston County tests for syphilis.
Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus, 2023 (county-level congenital syphilis is not published).
Local resources & officials
Data & references
Local context
Eastgate Park offers a serene escape from daily life, with its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere. For residents living in the surrounding neighborhoods, the quiet surroundings belie the challenges of getting to testing and care services. With a significant portion of the population renting their homes, monthly expenses can be a strain, and finding time off work can be tough, especially for those in the labor force.
The community is characterized by a strong presence of family households, with many married couples and larger families calling Ashford home. Many households have a stable income, with a notable share earning higher incomes. However, this stability can be offset by the demands of work and family life, making it harder for younger adults still forming relationships to prioritize their health. For those with limited flexibility, accessing testing and care can be a challenge.
As residents balance work, family, and other responsibilities, the importance of convenient and accessible testing options becomes clear. For young adults in Ashford, who are more likely to be navigating new relationships and health priorities, having testing options that fit into their busy lives is crucial. In a community where many own their homes and have a strong stake in the area, it's essential that residents can get the care they need without undue hassle or expense, especially for those with limited financial buffers, like renters with tight budgets.
Getting there
At 3.94/20 on the EPA walkability index, day-to-day errands in Ashford generally mean driving: plan on a car or rideshare to reach a clinic, and check each listing's hours and phone before you go.
Source: EPA National Walkability Index 2021.
ZIP 36312 snapshot
ZIP-level Census figures for the wider 36312 area around Ashford: a single ZIP can span several communities, so they describe the area, not Ashford alone.
Ashford sits in Houston County, ZIP 36312. Local context that shapes where residents test:
Local landmarks
Nearby cities & towns
Just outside Ashford? These nearby communities have their own testing guides: clinics, at-home kits, and free screening close to home.
Reference
Everything to know before you test in Houston County: the CDC's screening guidelines, each infection's detection window, per-test reference prices, and your privacy rights under Alabama law. If you have symptoms right now, our confidential symptom checker maps them to the tests worth considering.
Based on current CDC screening recommendations.
| Group | Tests | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone aged 13–64 | HIV | At least once |
| Sexually active women under 25 | Chlamydia, gonorrhea | Every year |
| Women 25+ with new or multiple partners | Chlamydia, gonorrhea | Every year |
| Pregnant people | HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, chlamydia | Early in pregnancy |
| Gay & bisexual men (MSM) | Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV | Every 3–6 months |
| Anyone who shares injection equipment | HIV, hepatitis B & C | At least yearly |
| All adults at least once | Hepatitis C | At least once |
Testing too early can return a false negative, confirm timing with an Ashford-area provider.
| Infection | Earliest reliable test | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 1–2 weeks | Urine or swab |
| Gonorrhea | 1–2 weeks | Urine or swab |
| Trichomoniasis | 1–4 weeks | Urine or swab |
| HIV (NAT / RNA) | 10–33 days | Blood |
| HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) | 18–45 days | Blood |
| HIV (antibody) | 3–12 weeks | Blood / oral |
| Syphilis | 3–6 weeks | Blood |
| Hepatitis B | 3–6 weeks | Blood |
| Hepatitis C | 8–11 weeks | Blood |
| Herpes (HSV) | 4–16 weeks (antibody); swab a sore | Blood / swab |
These are the federal Medicare reference prices for processing each lab test. Public clinics and the community health centers serving Ashford often test free or on a sliding scale; private labs and at-home kits bundle several tests into one fee. Use this as a per-test benchmark before you pay out of pocket, or see the full guide to STD test costs for insurance, free, and at-home options.
| Test | Reference price | CPT / HCPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia (NAAT) | $47.80 | 87491 |
| Gonorrhea (NAAT) | $47.80 | 87591 |
| Trichomoniasis (NAAT) | $47.76 | 87661 |
| HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody | $26.87 | 87389 |
| HIV-1/2 antibody | $22.44 | 86703 |
| Syphilis (RPR/VDRL) | $5.61 | 86592 |
| Syphilis (treponemal antibody) | $17.49 | 86780 |
| Herpes (HSV NAAT) | $47.76 | 87529 |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen | $15.33 | 87340 |
| Hepatitis C antibody | $29.16 | 86803 |
Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, CMS, 2025 rates (data.cms.gov). Reference rate for the lab assay only: a clinic visit, sample collection, or a bundled multi-test panel may cost more. Medicaid and most insurers cover STD screening at no out-of-pocket cost.
Two things that actually depend on Alabama law: who can consent, and whether partners can be treated without their own visit. Everything else about testing privately is the same nationwide (see below).
In Alabama, a minor aged 12 or older can consent to confidential STI testing and treatment on their own, no parental permission is required.
Alabama permits Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): if you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, your provider can give you medication (or a prescription) to pass to your partner, no separate exam or appointment needed for them.
Keeping a test private works the same in every state. Whether an STD test shows on insurance (the EOB), how to test anonymously, and self-pay options that leave no insurance trail don’t change by location.
Learn more about confidential STD testing in AlabamaSource: Guttmacher Institute, Minors' Access to STI Services; CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. General information, not legal advice.
Good to Know
Answers to the questions people ask most before getting tested.
Labcorp, about 7.7 mi away, with 7 options within 30 miles.
Yes, Medicaid typically covers it, and public clinics are free either way.
Yes, free HIV testing is available at public clinics in the area.
A full panel typically covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C.
Houston County reported ~732 chlamydia cases per 100,000 in 2023, above the Alabama average.
In Alabama, people under 18 can consent to confidential STD testing and treatment on their own.
Yes, PrEP, a daily pill that helps prevent HIV in HIV-negative people, is available in the area.
Most results are ready in about 1–2 days.
At-home kits mail to 36312: self-collect, send to the lab, results in ~2–5 days.
Little prep is needed, bring an ID and insurance if you have it, and note your exposure dates and any symptoms; for a urine test, avoid peeing for about an hour beforehand.
Have a different question? Browse the full STD & STI FAQ library, every question we answer, in one place.