Check out Ulta labs. Order what you want online, then make an appointment at a Quest Diagnostics center for the actual draw. Cash price for most of my labs through Ulta is cheaper than having them run through my insurance.
FYI, if anyone uses Ulta Lab Tests, there’s an easy way to get another 20% off their prices: sign up for their marketing emails. Each daily email includes discount codes.
For example, the currently-active 20%-off-all-tests code is UltaHRS23 (valid until “Midnight on January 13th, 2024. MST”).
I’ve used Ulta Lab Tests several times and have no complaints.
ETA: I see that 20%-off discount codes are listed on their website (“Weekly Promotions” on main page). No need even to sign up for marketing emails.
I think you are misunderstanding how these discount blood tests work. Of course you can’t order your own bloodtests - anywhere really. But if you go to Life Extension and order their LabCorp tests, they have a doctor order them. I did this for 5 years while a resident of NYC so it is quite easy to do.
I purchased the following lab tests from Marek Health on Feb 8th and had the lab draw done from Labcorp. I’ve made many purchases from Marek with no issues.
ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoA1:ApoB Ratio
LCP-202 $27.00 1 $27.00
Iron
LCP-29 $3.00 1 $3.00
Total Testosterone, Standard (ECLIA) & Free Testosterone (Direct)
LCP-55 $29.00 1 $29.00
I don’t misunderstand, I was just using a shorter description of the process. Effectively, one orders their own labs from a website. The doctor on staff just rubber stamps the order for a markup - one places an order on a website for whatever they wish. The doctor is invisible and the “digital signature” is probably automated (based on how quickly and at what hours of the day/night I’ve received requisitions… )
You’re right, though, there are some smaller services that will help NY residents order labs, but there are restrictions that prevent many of the larger services from (legally) helping the consumer. Some may be skirting the law and trying to fly under the radar, though. Regardless, I shouldn’t have made an off the cuff blanket statement without qualifiers.
What is illegal is most testing that isn’t ordered by a physician that is overseeing the patient’s care. In 2015, the NY AG went after DirectLabs for allowing a chiropractor to order tests that the chiropractor had no relationship with and that the State deemed inappropriate for a chiropractor to order.
From the AG’s ASSURANCE OF DISCONTINUANCE re: DirectLabs:
Under New York law, laboratories may only perform these tests at the request of
a licensed provider, but the investigator was never examined by a licensed health care provider in connection with these tests. Moreover, the practitioner whose name appeared on the requisitions (and who was retained by DirectLabs to “authorize” the laboratory tests purchased by consumers) was a chiropractor, and therefore could not legally order four of these tests: Cancer Antigen 27.29, Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor, Prostate Specific Antigen, and Tacrolimus.
As a result of DirectLabs’ and LabCorp’s actions, New Yorkers were able to undergo clinical laboratory testing without ever consulting a health care practitioner, even when New York State law requires that such testing be performed only at a licensed practitioner’s request. Their actions placed New Yorker consumers’ health at risk, as licensed medical practitioners are uniquely qualified to identify which tests will be useful for their patients, interpret the results, and determine whether the results are clinically meaningful for the patient based on the entirety of the patient’s medical condition.
DirectLabs had sold hundreds of health tests to consumers, ranging from checks for heavy metals and vitamins to screening for parasites and disease. But Mr. Schneiderman said the person fulfilling the medical practitioner role was actually a chiropractor who had never met, spoken to or followed up with any patients.
Residents of NY, NJ, and RI don’t have as easy a time getting labs as those in other states.
The differences in cost - even ordered at the same lab are a huge problem. Ulta for example is drawn at Quest and processed by them at a cheaper rate than you can get it by going direct to Quest. When I order UltaLabs for my patients - we get even cheaper prices than the consumer can get it. Through LabCorp a group called AccessLabs is very cost effective - for example CBC $3.60, Comprehensive panel $7.50, HbA1C $5, TSH/FT4/FT3 $25, for example.
If you get billed full price for those labs - I’ve seen a patient stuck with $300+ for a Vitamin D level - ordered by me is $24.
There should be just one price at a given lab for all customers - there is nothing to stop them charging $1000 for a CBC … and it is often surprise billing, in that you get blood drawn, presume insurance will pay - however, for anything not covered, it defaults to full price and the patient can be out huge$$.
Really important to confirm before you get blood drawn what is covered and what isn’t. You can simply cross the items off the list that aren’t covered, and get them ordered for cash pay rates separately.
I pulled up the HippEvo website and searched for tests that I had already purchased from Marek.
They both use Labcorp for the testing. Marek adds $5 for the actual blood draw- but you could have many tests and it would still have just one $5 fee. Not sure if HippEvo charges for the draw.
The prices I give for HippEvo are much higher than @Joseph lists above. I am thinking that he must be a HippEvo member ($99 year) and gets large discounts over their “retail” price. Regardless, Marek had the lowest prices.
It’s an interesting take by a doctor who has insurance but buys his tests so that he doesn’t need to see a physician.
I think many members of the forum will agree with his viewpoints,
I went to the Life Extension and tried to buy a complete blood count and they said for New York residents they would send me a Lab Kit which contained all the blood draw supplies and shipping labels and I had to figure out how to get blood drawn myself. Not sure how this works.
Jason Health uses Quest Diagnostics and many tests there are less expensive than at the more well-known websites like Direct Labs, Walk-in Labs, etc. And the lab requisition prints out immediately. You don’t have to wait like you do with Marek for someone to prepare it and send it to you.
I used to have this problem as well when I lived in New York City. Its New york State law. You can either go through the motions of getting the kit and a phlebottomist or hop on a train to Stamford and get the test there. I found that easier.
Oh, I thought your comment further up in this thread meant that you had solved it.
Well, now I’m just confused. Others have mentioned that they’ve been able to order the tests and just go to a testing center and they were accepted.
