Quest Diagnostics may be the preferred lab your health insurance, doctors, or specialists use for blood work or other samples. We’re reviewing its sub-brand Quest Health, from which you can order your own tests outside of a doctor’s orders.
You’re in need of lab work — either getting a blood draw or giving a bio sample — and if you’re in the United States, you’re bound to use one of two clinical labs: Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics.
Quest Diagnostics is used by one-third of U.S. adults annually, according to the company. It offers a couple additional features that make it stand out as an accessible option for patients and caregivers at home or in the lab.
Quest Diagnostics owns Quest Consumer Inc., a separate company that operates QuestHealth.com, where people can purchase home collection kits and lab tests without visiting a doctor for authorization or referral.
Quest Diagnostics has been around since 1967. The company has around 2,000 patient service centers across the United States. It’s headquartered in New Jersey.
In addition to collecting blood and waste samples for diagnostic testing, Quest also conducts:
- drug screening
- transport of samples and tests via nearly 4,500 courier vehicles and 19 aircraft
- genetic and molecular testing
- clinical trials
- innovation of data analytics and healthcare IT tools (called Quanum Technology Solutions)
With any service, there are bound to be opportunities to improve the user experience and a lot of negative reviews online when the service varies by individual staff, population density, and the population itself.
That said, Quest Diagnostics has taken two extra steps to meet patients where they are: Quest consumer-initiated mail-order test kits and MyQuest, a free mobile app to make scheduling and results tracking easier.
We researched the brand and considered:
- all types of reviews found online
- unique product offerings
- legal actions
Our team also conducted hands-on reviews of MyQuest and Quest At-Home Tests to provide readers with firsthand experience.
40s,
frequent diagnostic blood test patient
As the author of this article, I thought it best to test out the Basic Health Profile home test kit myself to vet the timing, ease of use, and process.
Why I’m qualified to review diagnostic lab services
I had a serious medical hospitalization in 2018. In addition to many, many follow-up visits to diagnostic labs for blood tests, I’ve been using the MyQuest app for the last 7 years to monitor my blood test results regularly with my OB-GYN, rheumatology, and hematology specialists.
MyQuest app experience
The app helps me view my results and see my pattern with each test over time.
I also found it to be a succinct place to view my test results history, despite which specialist was ordering it.
Often, I was able to see results and have time to comprehend them and research my stats before the medical team called to read me my results.
I also appreciate the visual cues, like test result numbers in the “green” zone for acceptable or “red” zone for concerning. For laypeople like me, you can also click the question mark and get a plainly worded explanation of what each metric is evaluating.
Quest Diagnostic in-lab experience
Since my hospitalization in 2018, I’ve had so many blood tests. I’ve experienced both Labcorp’s and Quest’s phlebotomy and billing services. I find both to be equitable in intermittent billing frustrations and wait times if you go to a lab without an appointment.
With Quest, for example, I’ve had as many as 18 vial collections in one sitting, and I appreciate how thorough, personable, and honest the phlebotomists were.
With Labcorp, I’ve personally had slightly more negative experiences with individual phlebotomists across my county — seldom but nevertheless memorable. More than once I experienced what’s referred to as “bad sticks” on blood draws. This resulted in the need to stick me multiple times after some blown veins.
After my hospitalizations, I became what they call “a hard stick.” My mother was a phlebotomist for Quest for 5 years and gave me some good tips to pass along to phlebotomists to help get a good blood draw from me. Quest phlebotomists have always been receptive to this information.
I’ve had phlebotomists come to my home for life insurance screenings, and I’ve done at-home test kits for genealogy, iron deficiency, or COVID-19 testing, but this was my first home-to-lab test.
Quest Health consumer-initiated lab tests
I found the lab test I was interested in purchasing and, within less than 5 minutes, was able to successfully check out. Directly after, I was instructed to register for the test. Then, a screen came up encouraging me to schedule an appointment at my local Quest lab for my sample collection.
Though the process was simple, I did find these steps a bit lumbering.
I drove to a lab less than 10 minutes from my home. I checked in while still in my car and was seen on the dot, and within 8 minutes my samples were taken! It was amazingly easy and quick. No long waits, no insurance debacles since I prepaid for the tests, I didn’t have to wait for a test to be mailed to me either, like other mail-order test kits. And I didn’t need to wait for a clinician’s prior authorization!
For the number of tests I had to do, I was expecting multiple vials of blood drawn. It was only two vials and one urine sample. My phlebotomist was kind and natural. I let her know I’m usually a ‘two tournaquitte and warm compress stick’ and she used to tournaquittes and got my sample on the first stick! So succinct!
What to know first
You have to be 18 years old to purchase a test. Tests are not available in Arkansas, Arizona, or Hawaii. When you receive the kit, you will not collect your sample at home like other mail-order tests. Instead, you take the kit to your local Quest Diagnostics lab.
Steps for a successful Quest Health test kit sample and results
- Purchase a general health profile test online with Quest Health. No need to see a doctor or request through a doctor.
- Depending on your test type, you may receive a kit in the mail or you may make an appointment and go straight to the lab for testing. Follow the individual test directions. You may mail it back in or visit a nearby Quest location for sample collection.
- Get results quickly and discreetly on the MyQuest app, QuestHealth.com, or via email. You do not need to make an account if you prefer not to. You’ll be sent an email with a prompt to download the PDF of your results when ready.
Kiosks
To facilitate ease of servicing patients, Quest Diagnostics has self-service interactive kiosks at its labs. You can scan your driver’s license and health insurance card to check in or schedule appointments on the kiosks.
The kiosks allow you to easily check in for anyone else you’re caregiving for too. Worried about other potentially sick people in the waiting room, or is the waiting room full? The kiosk check-in makes it easy to enter your mobile number and wait in your vehicle or outside until you receive a text it’s your turn.
App
The MyQuest app is available on Android and Apple phones, tablets, or desktops. It’s highly rated on both operating systems.
The app offers:
- purchase of consumer-initiated at-home tests, or home-to-lab tests
- viewing lab results
- finding nearby labs
- scheduling and managing appointments
- sharing info with healthcare professionals
- using MyCircle to manage health of loved ones
Home-to-lab, consumer-initiated tests by Quest Health
Quest Health offers a range of tests you can order without having to contact or see a doctor or specialist. These tests are sent to your home for you to bring to a nearby lab for sample collection by a professional. Your sample and test are then sent in for processing. Results can be viewed on the Quest Health website or the MyQuest app.
According to a 2018 article, people who are frequently monitored or screened for irritable bowel disease preferred mail-order tests over in-lab stool sample collection. Experts suggest that in addition to convenience, more sensitive test collections or conditions being tested at home may lend to greater patient compliance and more timely results.
Quest Diagnostic offers at-home tests, home-to-lab collection kits, and Quest Mobile Phlebotomy for patient flexibility. Six services are available:
- Colorectal Screening ($79): This fecal sample test helps detect lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Health Coaching ($225 to $275): This program, offered by Quest Diagnostic’s sub-brand Pack Health, offers four- or six-session health adviser coaching programs via one-on-one calls, resources, and weekly activities.
- In-Home HIV Test Kit ($55): This test, dubbed OraQuick, provides mouth swabs to test for HIV antibodies 1 and 2.
- Progesterone Fertility Test Kit ($29): This test, called Proov, confirms ovulation.
- In-Home Sample Collection ($79): A Quest Mobile phlebotomist comes to your home for privacy and undivided attention.
- Male Fertility At-Home Test Kit ($99): This test, dubbed YO, screens five sperm indicators for fertility in the privacy of your home.
Tests do have an additional $6 physician fee, called a PWN Service Fee. PWNHealth collects the PWN Service Fee for physician follow-up services.
Need to know
Reviewers have commented to beware of mobile service costs in addition to the cost of actual tests.
It’s also important to know the sample collection method for the specific test you purchase, as particular tests have designated retrieval options and cannot be decided by the purchaser.
For example, reviewers comment that home collection kits still need to be shipped back to Quest with the prepaid packaging and cannot be hand-delivered to your local Quest Diagnostic lab for processing. Only at-home test results are available immediately at home.
Similarly, home-to-lab tests must be collected at the lab and not by the purchaser at home and/or mailed in.
To be clear, Quest Health consumer-procured lab tests don’t take insurance, but the parent company Quest Diagnostics does take insurance for physician-ordered lab tests.
If you or someone you care for is looking for a lab service that is compatible with the patient’s insurance for labs or offers both in-lab and at-home blood or bio sampling or collection, Quest might be worth checking out.
On its website, Quest Diagnostic lists the following compatible insurance providers:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- some Medicare plans
- UnitedHealthcare
If your insurance is not listed above, you may want to stick to Quest Health mail order lab tests for straightforward or preliminary tests.
What’s more, if you’re concerned about severe conditions or serious symptoms it may be wiser to get guidance and results dissemination directly from a doctor who can oversee testing at a lab compatible with your insurance.
Most of the online feedback about Quest Diagnostics details negative billing experiences but Quest Health has no negative feedback to speak of online.
Prepaying for your tests using Quest Health can also circumvent billing issues. Paying out of pocket or with Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) plans is accepted.
Does Quest Diagnostics offer payment plans?
Quest Diagnostics does offer financial assistance with a payment plan of 0% financing over a 12-month period. Quest Health offers payment plans with Klarna or Affirm.
Does Quest Diagnostics accept insurance?
Quest Health consumer-initiated mail-order tests are not covered by insurance but could be purchased with an FSA or HSA card.
But Quest Diagnostics accepts the following insurance providers for doctor-ordered lab tests:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- some Medicare plans
- UnitedHealthcare
| Considerations | Quest Diagnostics | Labcorp |
|---|---|---|
| Number of labs nationwide: | approximately 2,250 | more than 2,000 |
| Preferred lab for: | • Aetna • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield • Cigna • Humana • some Medicare plans • UnitedHealthcare | • Aetna • majority of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans • Cigna • Humana • UnitedHealthcare |
| Most positive reviews praise: | • individual phlebotomists • no wait time if you make an appointment and arrive when lab opens | • individual phlebotomists • pleasant staff • painless or gentle blood draw • no wait time if you make an appointment and arrive when lab opens |
| Most negative reviews attribute: | • billing • hard to get a live person for billing customer service • have to make appointment even for dropping off samples collected at home | • front desk staff • billing • hard to get a live person for billing customer service • language barriers with phone agents in other countries |
| Test workflow options: | • doctor orders in lab • patient orders mail to home, then mails sample • patient orders mail to home, then sends to lab | • doctor orders in lab • patient orders mail to home, then mails sample • patient orders mail to home, then sends to lab |
Though Quest Diagnostics has mostly negative reviews online, Quest Health has no aggregate views to speak of. The MyQuest app has positive reviews.
Quest Health does not appear to have any litigation against the brand. Its parent company, Quest Diagnostics, has had many lawsuits over the years, as has its competitor Labcorp.
The most recent lawsuit is from winter 2024, when the California attorney general announced a $5 million settlement with Quest Diagnostics for illegal disposal of hazardous medical waste in addition to not protecting patient information.
Quest Diagnostics has had legal challenges and settlements in the past, but Quest Health doesn’t appear to have any.
What aspects people seem to most distrust about Quest Diagnostic — billing discrepancies or procedure coding errors — Quest Health seems to circumvent by allowing individuals to prepay for their own lab tests and have them mailed to their home to self-test or to bring to a lab.
Quest Diagnostics’s self-service site, Quest Health, and Labcorp’s self-service site, Labcorp On Demand, are competitors. It doesn’t appear one is better than the other. It may depend on which service accepts your insurance or offers the particular test(s) you’re interested in.
Quest Health and Quest Diagnostics tests typically take 2 to 5 business days to receive results, though both websites specify some more complex tests can take up to 14 business days.
Quest Health offers 11 types of drug or alcohol screening kits that range from $52 to $165. Quest makes clear on each drug test that “[a]ny specimen that initially tests positive will be confirmed before the result is reported.”
The $6 physician service fee charge along with each ordered test includes oversight of lab testing and physician follow-up.
Quest Health is a company owned by Quest Diagnostics. Quest Health allows you to order your own lab tests for blood, saliva, or waste sampling and get results without needing a primary care doctor or specialist to order them for you.
Some tests purchased through Quest Health can be collected at home with results ready in minutes or mailed in for results in some business days. Other tests are mailed to your home to then be fulfilled at a Quest Diagnostics lab.
Though you pay out of pocket or with an FSA or HSA card, most tests are eligible for physician follow-up services thanks to a $6 physician fee with each test.
If you’re interested in trying Quest Health to purchase your own lab tests, you can get started below.