Frequently Asked Questions – Billing
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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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
- Can Quest Diagnostics tell me how much I can expect to pay for my tests?
- The price you pay for tests performed by Quest Diagnostics may be dependent on several variables, such as: 1) your insurance plan coverage of lab tests; 2) your age: if you are 65+, Medicare will not pay for some tests that your doctor considers important; and 3) your healthcare provider's agreement with Quest Diagnostics. If you have already received a bill from us and have a question, please click here to submit a billing inquiry.
- How can I find out if Quest Diagnostics will process a claim with my insurer?
- You can view an online list of payors for which Quest Diagnostics will file claims (online lists available for most states).
- Why have I received an invoice from Quest Diagnostics?
- The invoice you received from Quest Diagnostics represents charges for laboratory services provided by Quest Diagnostics. These charges are separate from your physician charges and billed separately.
- Why have I received an invoice when I have insurance that covers my laboratory testing?
- There may be several reasons why you received an invoice. For instance;
- Insurance may have denied payment for a specific reason. Please refer to the “Important Notice” box on your invoice.
- Most insurance companies require a co-pay or deductible prior to actual payments being made. Therefore, you may receive an invoice for the portion of the invoice the insurance indicates is your responsibility.
- Where does Quest Diagnostics obtain the diagnosis information related to my claim?
- Quest Diagnostics obtains the diagnosis information from the original test order provided by your physician. If insurance denied your claim because of the diagnosis code, please contact your physician.
- What is an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) and why is it required for certain tests?
- An ABN is a requirement by Medicare. The Medicare program pays for services only if it determines that the services are reasonable and necessary. Some tests are medically necessary only if the patient has certain medical conditions, symptoms or diseases. Medicare calls these limited coverage tests. The Advanced Beneficiary Notice is to help patients make an informed choice about whether or not they want to receive certain laboratory tests that have a likelihood of being denied. The patient will have financial responsibility for the testing if Medicare denies payment.
- The “Explanation of Benefits” that I received from my insurance is different from the information on my Quest Diagnostics invoice. What should I do?
- If you received an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company that differs from what is reported on your Quest Diagnostic’s invoice, please fax a copy of your EOB to Quest Diagnostics. To find the appropriate fax number, refer to the contact number listed in “For Billing Questions/Insurance Information” on your invoice. Write your invoice number on the EOB. Quest Diagnostics will contact your insurance company to research and resolve the discrepancy.
- Why do I have a different invoice number each time I have services performed? How does this affect making payments online?
- Our billing system generates transactional specific invoices. That is, our system, for patient privacy issues does not store information regarding the patient from transaction to transaction. Each transaction generates a new invoice number. Therefore, if paying online, the online invoice number must match the actual paper invoice so the payment can be applied to the correct invoice.
- Why do I have to give my insurance information each time I visit my physician or Patient Service Center?
- Individual insurance coverage plans typically change on an annual basis. It is important to provide your most current insurance coverage, at each visit, to ensure proper billing.
- Is Quest Diagnostics able to tell me if I am covered for testing?
- No, Quest Diagnostics does not know each individual patient’s insurance coverage. It is the patient’s responsibility to verify benefits before services are performed. Any questions regarding coverage should be directed to your insurance carrier.
- How can I obtain pricing information?
- If you are having your blood drawn at a Quest Diagnostics PSC you may ask for pricing before it is drawn or contact the Customer Service Department at the laboratory that services your area. You may call 800-377-8448 to find a location near you or use our Patient Service Center Locator.
- Are results sent to patients after testing is performed?
- No, in accordance with regulations governing clinical laboratories and to maintain the confidentiality of records, it is the policy of Quest Diagnostics to release test result information only to the physician who requested the test or to his or her authorized representative. Accordingly, please contact your physician directly.
- I received an invoice requesting additional information; what should I do?
- Please send the requested information to the address or fax number noted on your invoice.
- Does Quest Diagnostics have a program for patients experiencing financial hardship?
- Yes, we recognize that patient’s sometimes experience financial difficulties, and we try to accommodate people in their time of need. Quest Diagnostics offers an installment payment plan option for those patients who have the ability to pay, as well as, a financial assistance program for those without sufficient resources.
- Will Quest Diagnostics provide me a discount even if I do not have insurance?
- No, as a courtesy to our patients, we provide payment plans and applications for financial assistance for patients who experience financial hardship.
- Why does an invoice for my testing sometimes get mailed to my home addressed to my spouse?
- The policy holder is responsible for payment of co-insurance, co-payments and or deductibles incurred for covered services provided to you as a covered dependent. If the invoice is addressed to your spouse, it is likely your spouse is the insurance policy holder.
- I have a question about my bill/invoice. Whom should I contact?
- 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.
Additional Questions
If you have further questions, please visit our billing website.
Your questions, comments, and feedback are important to us. Share your feedback by taking our brief Patient Billing Survey. For billing–related questions fill out our online billing inquiry form. For non-billing related questions fill out our contact us patient inquiry form.