[shcisamax]

I had never heard of this company but my doctor suggested using them. No waiting line. None. The person at the desk was extremely nice. The person taking blood was terrific. And, my favorite part is, you can pick up your results and take them with you to your doctor so you get a copy BEFORE your doctor.
For people who don't have insurance, this company is a Godsend. Four tests that Quest would charge $525 Vista charges $88!
They are located next to Ace Hardware in the Belk Shopping Center. Give it a try next time you need blood work done. Me? I will never go back to Quest.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

I had never heard of this company but my doctor suggested using them. No waiting line. None. The person at the desk was extremely nice. The person taking blood was terrific. And, my favorite part is, you can pick up your results and take them with you to your doctor so you get a copy BEFORE your doctor.
For people who don't have insurance, this company is a Godsend. Four tests that Quest would charge $525 Vista charges $88!
They are located next to Ace Hardware in the Belk Shopping Center. Give it a try next time you need blood work done. Me? I will never go back to Quest.

I never thought I would stand up for a LAB. But the Quest techs are GOOD.


I will say this. After a lifetime of watching daughter Helene be poked repeatedly to draw blood or get a line in. (She hates it, but even as a child she was very brave and patient) Quests techs earn the prize finding the right place with one stab and a warm attitude toward people who don't LIKE pokes (their aging moms.)

I THINK but don't know, that doctors have some kind of business arrangements with certain labs here. In Ohio I was not directed toward any certain Lab, but have been here by two doctors.


Don't know. Don't care. Do care that the many visits to Quest here in many locations have given the same results. You don't have to tell them to use a butterfly. They are the best vampires I have found.

Sweetie used them yesterday and Helene and I had our quarterly blood draws a couple of weeks ago. I am glad that another lab is equally good with the poking.

We have learned that if you don't want to wait, go about an hour after they open, which is about 8:00 and the big crowd has dissipated.

[Bonny]

I like Quest. Everyone is always so nice and never once did anyone hurt me. LOL
For awhile I was having blood drawn several times a year.
Glad you found someone you like.

[shcisamax]

Gosh, I am glad there are people who happy with Quest. I was offering information for an alternative because I think Quest has cornered the market and it is concerning. Doesn't anyone wonder why the price is so different?

[Villager Joyce]

Doesn't insurance dictate where we go?

[shcisamax]

Good question....and I don't know the answer. But if the price is that different for a self pay, it makes me wonder what the agreement between the insurance company is with quest. Healthcare has become such a difficult but essential area for knowledge. I wish we could really knew how it all works without the smoke and mirrors.

[DougB]

Don't know what agreement my insurance as with Quest. But, they pay 100% of my bill. I've never paid a penny. I'm happy for now
Thanks for sharing an alternative. I lose my insurance when I retire after next school year

[Bonny]

My insurance pays the whole bill.

[rubicon]

Pharma has raised their prices to untenable levels. Many procedures that were never covered before are now covered in full like papsmears and mammograms for transgenders. Abuse after abuse after abuse. We read every day of clinic, et al being arrested for insurance fraud

In that same vein we have doctors who are pulled away from the insurance system and have gone totally on cash basis transactions because they won't deal with the government or insurance companies any longer.


Insurance premiums are going out of sight deductibles co/pays much higher and add to that you may be one of those taxpayers who has to pay premiums in full while your neighbor gets a big fat subsidy.

[queasy27]

Thanks for the info, shcisamax. I'm still on my employer's plan but will need to pay more attention to costs next year.

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

Doesn't insurance dictate where we go?

There must be some kind of approved providers list in effect with some insurance companies because Blue Cross refused to pay for blood work done at a former doctor's office, but they do at my current one.

For anyone who may not know, Quest lets you schedule appointments online so you don't need to walk in and wait.

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by queasy27

Thanks for the info, shcisamax. I'm still on my employer's plan but will need to pay more attention to costs next year.



There must be some kind of approved providers list in effect with some insurance companies because Blue Cross refused to pay for blood work done at a former doctor's office, but they do at my current one.

For anyone who may not know, Quest lets you schedule appointments online so you don't need to walk in and wait.

Yes they do but it is hard to get the morning appointments for fasting.

[yabbadu]

Have Medicare only and go to Quest every 7-10 day. Set up appt, ahead on computer. Never had a problem. Go to the one in Best Buy Plaza.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Yes they do but it is hard to get the morning appointments for fasting.

I've not had any problems just walking in. I usually go before 7 AM. And my doc has notified them at least 2 days in advance electronically. But I think the time I go makes the big difference.

[NYGUY]

Quest and Lab Corp are the big boys in the lab business. Between the two, they lock up contracts with the big insurance companies who in turn require their customers go to their network contracted lab. If you go to one of those labs and are uninsured or they are not in your insurance company's network you pay through the nose (so to speak)!!