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Franklin Board of Health approves increase in TB skin-test fee to $25
Summary
The Franklin Board of Health approved on Oct. 13 a staff request to raise the TB skin-test administration fee from $15 to $25, aligning with other county health departments and keeping the service more affordable than pharmacy alternatives.
Franklin — The Franklin Board of Health voted Oct. 13 to increase the charge for tuberculosis skin tests from $15 to $25, a change staff said aligns Franklin with neighboring county health departments and helps cover supply and staffing costs while keeping the test more affordable than pharmacy alternatives.
Staff explained the department’s administration fee had remained at $15 for several years while demand for TB skin testing has grown for school, employment and health-care requirements. A vial used for testing costs approximately $115 and contains roughly 10 doses; if a vial is opened and not fully used before expiration, the department bears the loss. To maintain weekly clinic hours (up from twice a month) and to sustain low-cost testing with a fee-waiver option for those with hardship, staff asked the board to approve an increase to $25 per test effective Oct. 13.
A staff member presenting the fee change noted that two other Milwaukee County health departments charge $25 and that national retail pharmacies typically charge $50–$75 plus a separate fee to read the test. Board members discussed regional comparators and access for low-income residents; staff said fee waivers would remain available for clients who cannot pay.
The board moved and approved the fee increase during the meeting; members voted in favor without opposition.
What’s next: Staff will implement the new fee immediately, maintain weekly TB skin-test clinics and continue to offer waivers for clients with financial hardship.
