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?
- There are three ways to access your lab test results:
1. You can receive your results online if:•
Your physician is using a Quest Diagnostics computer system, and
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Your physician agrees to release your results, and
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You have a linked account with a health management service such as Google Health™, Keas™, Microsoft®, HealthVault™ or MyCare360™. Find out how to Get Started. Have a question? Send us a question or comment.
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2. You may receive your test results directly from your physician.•
Next time your physician orders a lab test, ask your physician to indicate on the requisition that Quest Diagnostics should also send you a copy of the test results. Most tests take between 1-10 days to complete.
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If you want a copy of previous test results you can ask your physician to send you a copy.
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3. You can request and fill out a form to get your test results directly from Quest Diagnostics if your state of residence permits us to release them. See state availability. Once we receive your completed form, you will receive your test result within approximately 30 days.
- How do I request an "Access Form" if my state permits Quest Diagnostics to release results to me?
- You can send an email to the Privacy Officer to request a form or call the regional laboratory closest to you. Once we receive your completed form, you will receive your test results within approximately 30 days.
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.