Your doctor has ordered labs… now what? This is a common question and we’re going to make it very clear about how you can prepare for the blood draw and what to expect from a billing standpoint.
1. Print a Copy of your Lab Order
We will share your Lab Order electronically with Quest Diagnostics central databases. This gives you the freedom/flexibility of choosing which location is most convenient for you.
NOTE: If you want your orders sent to LabCorp, Family Care Network or Skagit, you must let us know or an electronic copy will not be provided.
Even though the order has been electronically sent to Quest, we recommend printing off a copy of the lab order from your Charm account to bring with you to the appointment.
You can access this by:
- Log into your Charm account
- Navigate to Records > Labs > Lab Orders
- Download the order & print
If you don’t have access to a printer, we can always print a copy off for you here at the clinic for you to pick up.
2. Preparing for the Blood Draw
Depending on what lab tests you are having done, the preparation may vary. It will be listed on the patient summary from your last visit, but here are a few general guidelines to note:
- Some tests will require you to be fasting prior to the blood draw
- 10-12 hour overnight fasting, no food, water is okay
- If you aren’t certain on whether or not you need to fast, first check your patient summary for clarification. If it isn’t clarified there, feel free to call us!
- If you’re checking any Cortisol levels Do NOT take B vitamins or biotin for 72 hours before the draw
- It’s always best to check your patient summary for specific instructions regarding any changes you need to make to your hormone medication schedule prior to completing the blood draw.
If you have any questions, give us a call during our normal clinic hours.
3. Confirm Insurance Coverage Beforehand
When you call your insurance company prior to completing the blood draw, they will ask for the CPT codes associated with each lab that’s being ordered. You can find these by:
- Go to the Quest Test Directory website
- Look up each lab order using the numbers in the [brackets] next to each test name
- Identify the CPT code next to each test name
Along with the CPT Codes, your insurance will also want to know the diagnosis codes associated with the lab. These can be found at the top of your lab order in the section above the labs that are being ordered.
If there are any labs on the order that are not covered by insurance, you can refuse these by crossing them out on the copy of the physical lab order and communicating it to the lab tech when you give them the lab order at the appointment.
When you show up for the blood draw, be sure to ask the tech for your Patient Portion prior to completing the draw. This way they can tell you the costs of any tests that won’t be covered by insurance, prior to completing the lab work.
How Billing Works with Quest Diagnostics
Natural Health Clinic is a separate business from Quest Diagnostics. Therefore, we have no control over their billing.
We can try and assist in coverage for some tests by providing diagnosis codes on the lab order. But we CANNOT guarantee this will provide coverage or lower your bill.
How Billing Works with Principal Labs
Principle Labs (PL) is an alternative lab option for patients looking to pay out of pocket, which often means the labs are less expensive than if billed through insurance.
At the end of your appointment, your doctor will include the labs to complete through Principal Labs at the bottom of your patient summary.
For PL, it’s the patients’ responsibility to call the clinic to order the lab. Only one of our receptionists has the Principal Lab software on their computer. Give us a call, we’ll transfer you to the one receptionist who has the Principle Labs software on their computer, and they will confirm payment and submit the lab order for you.
After the lab has been ordered, a copy of the invoice will be shared with you in your Documents on Charm. The lab will electronically be shared with Principal Labs.
To complete this lab, you will schedule an appointment at a LabCorp location.