TL;DR:
- Quest locations must be specified as "Quest Diagnostics" and not just any Quest location on their finder.
- Contact our Member Navigators to request hard copies of your lab orders.
- Directions are explained below for how to get blood work done at non-Quest labs.
With nearly 2,200 locations, Quest Diagnostics is one of the largest diagnostic test providers in the United States. Since FOLX is a telehealth company and can't draw your blood for labs directly, we'll order your tests from Quest.
All you have to do is make an appointment, show up, and that's that. Quest will send your results to your FOLX clinician through a secure portal, and you'll be all set.
Here's an updated step-by-step guide to getting your labs quickly and easily.
Step 1: Make an appointment at your preferred Quest Diagnostics PSC (Patient Service Center).
The FOLX care team will send your lab requisition (the actual paperwork provided to Quest outlining the tests to be performed) to Quest. All you need to do is make an appointment beforehand to confirm that Quest location can draw the specific lab(s) your clinician ordered.
- Choose any Quest Diagnostic location. You don't need to go to the lab the clinician uses to order the test. Find your nearest location and schedule an appointment here.
- Be sure to click "All other tests" when you pick your reason for visiting.
- Book your appointment at an actual "Quest Diagnostics." When you make an appointment on the Quest website, choose a location listed as "Quest Diagnostics," not just any location that pops up on Quest's location finder. If the facility's name does not begin with "Quest Diagnostics," then you should go to a different location or reach out to our Member Navigators (via the FOLX Help Center) to see if it's a good option.
- Bring printed orders (obtained from the Member Navigator team) if you go out of state. Otherwise, you don't need to bring your lab requisition, as Quest will have them.
If your name is different from your legal name, please be prepared for the use of a legal name at Quest and potential misgendering (though we hope this doesn't happen). You are welcome to direct any feedback you want to share about your Quest experience directly with us, and we can use it in training our vendors and holding them accountable to more inclusive care practices.
Step 2: Getting your labs drawn.
When you get to Quest, they should have your info and lab requisitions from your FOLX clinician. (It's not necessary, but if you would like a copy of your lab orders or have any questions about getting labs done, please make your request to our Member Navigators through the FOLX Help Center.)
Optional Step 3: Check your lab results, if you want to.
After your labs have been drawn, it can take up to five business days for Quest to send your results back to your care team in your Athena Patient Portal. Once your care team reviews your results in your Athena Patient Portal, you will receive an email from Athena alerting you to check your patient portal to see the results.
If your clinician has any specific concerns, they will make a note on the lab or contact you directly.
If you have any questions for your clinician about what those results mean, please message them through your Athena Patient Portal. They love to hear from you and are happy to answer any questions!
If you have any questions about specifically requested labs or lab results, reach out to your FOLX care team through your Athena Patient Portal. However, if the care team reaches out with a message, it's important that we hear back from you to make sure you are getting the care you need. Your care team cares about your well-being.
Going out of state for your Quest Diagnostic labs?
If your location is across state lines, you must bring a copy of your lab order. To get a copy, please get in touch with our Member Navigators through the FOLX Help Center.
Getting Blood Work Done at Non-Quest Labs
We understand that while Quest Diagnostics has patient service centers (PSCs) located near most of our members, this is not always the case. Whether you are choosing to go to a non-Quest lab due to logistical challenges or because you have a different lab provider that you are more comfortable with, here are some steps that you can take to make the process as simple as possible.
Firstly, just as a reminder, labs (both non-Quest and Quest locations) are not included in the cost of your FOLX membership. This means that you will be responsible for the out-of-pocket cost or, if applicable, contacting your insurance company to determine if they offer any coverage for the lab work.
If you have a preferred non-Quest lab in mind, please reach out to notify our clinical team at least one week prior to going in for your blood work. You can do this in the Athena Patient Portal! They will make sure that your lab orders are sent to the correct place.
If we are not notified that you will be going to a non-Quest lab, your orders will automatically be sent to a Quest PSC in your state. If you ever choose to switch lab locations, please pass along the contact information for your new lab so that the necessary updates can be made on our end.
If you would like help with identifying a non-Quest lab facility to get your blood work done at, please submit a support ticket so that our Member Navigators team can aid you in that search!
When it comes time to go in for your blood work, bring your lab orders along with you. These orders can be found in your Athena Patient Portal. The lab should have these already, but bringing a copy with you will simplify the process and prevent any potential confusion. To access your lab orders, please follow the steps below:
- Log into the Athena Patient Portal.
- After you log in to your portal, on the left side tabs, click "My Health."
- The very last heading on the My Health tab is "Health Reminders" - click that. This will allow you to see any pending lab orders.
- If you click on each one, there will be a small "print" button below the Quest location and phone number.
- Clicking that print button brings up a new screen with the lab slip, including a barcode that the lab can scan.
- Click on the next order(s) and the print button to pull up that lab slip. Each lab will have a separate slip, so they must be pulled up separately.
- Make sure the printed copies show the full bar code and that there is enough ink in the printer to avoid delays in your care.
It is very important that you bring a hard copy of each lab order that is pending in your Athena Patient Portal. For example, if there are four labs ordered, you must click into each lab order and individually print each page. If you only click the first page to print, it will print the first one but not the rest. If you don't bring all of them, we may receive incomplete results and require a repeat trip to the lab to complete the outstanding test(s).
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FOLX Health is the first digital healthcare company designed by and for the LGBTQIA+ community. Our services include virtual primary care, gender-affirming hormone therapy including estrogen and testosterone (HRT), mental health care, sexual and reproductive health care, preventive care, and fertility consultations. FOLX memberships give you access to LGBTQIA+ expert clinicians, peer support, thousands of LGBTQIA+ resources, and more. Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming, or nonbinary, you can find LGBTQIA+-specialized health care that helps you meet your wellness goals. FOLX Health is health care that's queer all year. Get all the benefits of becoming a FOLX member and sign up today!
