Laboratory Testing Options
There are several options for you to get the laboratory testing you need for a reasonable rate. Below are several options to consider.
Options:
2. Utilize a Self-Pay Lab:
These are labs that are dedicated to providing transparent billing and testing. Self-pay labs offer reduced pricing because they do no go through insurance. If you are having your blood drawn at Avena, we work with several self-pay labs that you can use rather than running blood work through your insurance. If you choose this option, you will know the cost of your blood work up front and pay for it on the day you get your blood drawn. Remember though that if you use a self-pay lab, it does not get run through insurance at all and it will not count towards meeting your deductible. Unless you already know your insurance won’t cover blood work, we recommend calling them with the test codes first to be able to compare which is a more cost effective option for you.
3. Finding a Custom Combo:
Sometimes, insurance will cover a majority of tests but not all. In this case, it might make sense to use a combination of insurance and self-pay testing. If you inform us what tests your insurance will not cover, we can price out just those tests with one of the self-pay lab options. This means you will be able to get all the blood work done and only pay for the tests insurance will not cover. A great example of this is vitamin D testing. Labs will charge the insurance between $150 - $300 for a vitamin D test which the patient is responsible for if not covered under your plan. If you go through a self-pay lab, a vitamin D test costs $25.
If you are interested in utilizing self-pay labs or have more questions, please let us know. We are happy to walk you through the options and pick one that is the most cost effective for you and your family. To know ahead of time what your insurance will cover, it is best to call them and ask what your lab coverage is and if you have a separate deductible for it.
There are several options for you to get the laboratory testing you need for a reasonable rate. Below are several options to consider.
Options:
- Going Through Insurance:
- Choose a lab draw facility in network. Sometimes your insurance will only cover blood work if it is done at a facility in network with your plan. This means even if your insurance doesn’t cover office visits at Avena, we are still able to write a lab slip for you to take to a blood draw facility that is considered in network with your insurance. If you are unsure which labs are in network, it is best to call the number on your insurance card and inquire which lab companies are in your network.
- Check beforehand which test codes are covered. Some insurance plans are very specific about which tests are fully covered, partially covered, and not covered at all. If you are unsure which tests your insurance covers, it is best to check with them before having the blood work done and getting a surprising bill on the other side. The best way to know is to call your insurance company with the CPT codes and check to see if all the tests are covered and, if not, what the cost will be.
- Meeting your deductible. If your insurance plan requires you to meet a deductible (a set out-of-pocket cost) before they will cover testing, you will want to contact them to find out what amount you are responsible for and what month your deductible resets each year.
2. Utilize a Self-Pay Lab:
These are labs that are dedicated to providing transparent billing and testing. Self-pay labs offer reduced pricing because they do no go through insurance. If you are having your blood drawn at Avena, we work with several self-pay labs that you can use rather than running blood work through your insurance. If you choose this option, you will know the cost of your blood work up front and pay for it on the day you get your blood drawn. Remember though that if you use a self-pay lab, it does not get run through insurance at all and it will not count towards meeting your deductible. Unless you already know your insurance won’t cover blood work, we recommend calling them with the test codes first to be able to compare which is a more cost effective option for you.
3. Finding a Custom Combo:
Sometimes, insurance will cover a majority of tests but not all. In this case, it might make sense to use a combination of insurance and self-pay testing. If you inform us what tests your insurance will not cover, we can price out just those tests with one of the self-pay lab options. This means you will be able to get all the blood work done and only pay for the tests insurance will not cover. A great example of this is vitamin D testing. Labs will charge the insurance between $150 - $300 for a vitamin D test which the patient is responsible for if not covered under your plan. If you go through a self-pay lab, a vitamin D test costs $25.
If you are interested in utilizing self-pay labs or have more questions, please let us know. We are happy to walk you through the options and pick one that is the most cost effective for you and your family. To know ahead of time what your insurance will cover, it is best to call them and ask what your lab coverage is and if you have a separate deductible for it.