Frequently Asked Questions – Lab
Quest Diagnostics offers a variety of diagnostic laboratory testing services to healthcare professionals, consumers, employers, and government agencies. Each service meets a unique need and each is accessed in a different way:
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Laboratory Tests ordered by Healthcare Professionals — Most of the lab tests we perform are tests ordered for a patient by that patient's healthcare professional. Lab tests are offered nationally, and these lab testing services may be covered by the patient's insurance. You can view our online insurance lists, to see the payors for which Quest Diagnostics will file all claims. If you are interested in having a specific laboratory test performed, please ask your healthcare provider if the lab test is appropriate for you, and if he/she can order the lab test(s) for you.
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Blueprint for Wellness™ — We provide employers with various testing and health management solutions that aid in employee hiring and employee management.
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Testing for the Federal Government — Includes testing for Department of Defense, Veterans Administration hospitals, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Services, occupational/OSHA and wellness testing, and testing services to support federally funded research programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laboratory Tests Ordered by a Patient’s Healthcare Professional
Unless otherwise noted, the answers to the questions below apply to tests ordered by healthcare professionals only. For information about our other testing services, click on the appropriate link(s) above.
Requesting Lab Tests
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Preparing for a lab test and/or visiting a Patient Service Center
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Lab Test Results
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Payment & Insurance Information
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Requesting Lab Tests
- Can I request my own laboratory tests?
- Patients cannot order tests themselves, but if you are interested in having a specific laboratory test performed, please ask your healthcare provider if the test is appropriate for you, and if he/she can order the test(s) for you. To facilitate your discussion, it might be helpful to bring your healthcare provider a printed copy of the brochure or page from our Web site where you learned about the test.
- What types of tests does Quest Diagnostics perform?
- Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services. Our clinical laboratory testing services include: blood tests, body fluid testing, tissue pathology and cytology, health screening and monitoring tests, drug screening and testing as well as gene-based testing (genetic testing). Visit our Patient Health Library to see a list of frequently ordered lab tests and related information, such as patient brochures, and printable lists of questions you can ask your physician.
Preparing for a lab test and/or visiting a Patient Service Center
- My doctor has ordered a lab test for me, and does not collect specimens in his/her office. How do I locate a Patient Service Center, where I can have my specimen collected?
- Find a convenient Patient Service Center with our Patient Service Center Locator. The address, hours, phone number, directions (map) and services provided are listed for each location.
- Do I need to make an appointment to have my blood drawn at a Patient Service Center?
- Appointments are not usually necessary. It is recommended you bring a completed test requisition form from your healthcare provider and a copy of your medical insurance card in order to expedite your visit. Our Patient Service Centers are busiest in the early morning when patients who are required to fast for testing often choose to arrive. Your wait will usually be shorter after 10AM. You may wish to consider arriving after that time. We are pleased to offer online appointment scheduling for several of our locations. In 2007, we will be rolling out this capability nationwide. You can see which locations offer appointments by accessing our Patient Service Center Locator. If the results display a Make appt link, the location offers online appointment scheduling.
- Do I need to fast before having my specimen collected at a Patient Service Center?
- Some blood tests do require fasting prior to having your blood drawn. Please contact your healthcare provider to determine his/her requirements for your specific testing.
Lab Test Results
- How long does it take to receive test results?
- Depending on the test performed, most tests are completed and reported to your ordering healthcare provider within about 24 hours of receiving the sample for testing. Certain tests take several days to weeks. Results are sent directly to the ordering healthcare professional. Please ask your healthcare provider to contact you when your test results have been received.
- Can I receive a copy of my test results?
- As you may know, the Data Privacy Rule under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) allows patients to request access to their medical information. At the same time, however, laws in some states prohibit clinical laboratories from releasing laboratory test results directly to patients. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) require that Quest Diagnostics follow state law and, where state law is more strict than HIPAA, Quest Diagnostics is not permitted to release your test results to you. If your healthcare provider ordered your test for you, please contact your healthcare provider to obtain copies of your test results.
If state law does not prohibit Quest Diagnostics from releasing test results to you, you may fill out a Quest Diagnostics Request for Access Form to request a copy of your test results directly from Quest Diagnostics. Details on how to request a copy of your test results can be found in our online Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Can I see my test results online?
- Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our patients' personal and health information. Currently, we do not have a means for patients to access their own test results online.
Results for laboratory tests performed by Quest Diagnostics are reported to the healthcare provider who ordered the test(s) and are not sent directly to you. Please check with your healthcare provider to review your test results.
- Can Quest Diagnostics help me interpret my results?
- Please address questions related to interpretation of your test results to your personal healthcare provider.
For general information about health and laboratory tests, please visit the following web sites:•
Your doctor will interpret your laboratory test results (that is, determine their meaning) in conjunction with information about your medical history, physical examination, and other test results, and provide you with medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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If you do not have a personal healthcare provider, you may contact the American Medical Association for information on healthcare providers in your area.
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MEDLINEplus® Health Information (National Library of Medicine)
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Payment and Insurance Information
- I have a question about my bill/invoice. Whom should I contact?
- Visit FAQ — Billing for all billing-related questions and answers.
Visit the billing area to
pay your invoice,
update the insurance information you have on file with Quest Diagnostics,
view a sample invoice, or
submit a billing inquiry.
Your questions, comments, and feedback are important to us. For non–billing related questions fill out our contact us patient inquiry form.