Are you curious about your general health, how well your body functions, or if you are at risk for any medical conditions? At the same time, do you anguish at the mere thought of having to take the time and effort to see a doctor to find out the answers? We have a solution for you: direct-to-consumer (DTC) lab testing. Here we explain what a DTC test is, if it’s covered by insurance, its benefits, and how you can get started.
What is a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Lab Test?
A DTC lab test is when an individual orders a lab test without going through a doctor. Another term for this is patient-ordered lab testing; the tests are exactly the same as a medical practitioner would order. Once the test is submitted, the consumer gets the results sent directly back to them.
Now you may be wondering, is this legal? The state of Washington is one of 37 states where residents have the legal right to order their own laboratory tests without prior requirement or sign-off from a medical professional. This gives individuals a slew of medical benefits. Does Insurance Cover DTC Blood Testing?
DTC lab tests are usually not covered by insurance, as blood tests must typically be approved by a doctor and the insurance company policy to get any type of compensation. However, getting a DTC lab test is almost always cheaper than going through a doctor and using insurance. How so? When you go through the process of seeing a doctor, you have to pay a co-payment. For blood testing, you can expect to see your doctor at least twice! Unless your co-pay is remarkably low, it is usually cheaper to get a DTC test of your own. At Tomorrow’s Health, our prices are reasonable and completely transparent! Unlike the insurance system, where there may be hidden fees or delayed billing, you know exactly what and when you will be required to pay.
The Benefits of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Lab Testing
While most insurance companies do not cover DTC lab tests, there are many benefits to ordering them on your own. The ones we want to mention today are convenience, confidentiality, and an increased involvement in your own health!
Convenience
One of the best benefits of getting a DTC lab test is convenience. We live in a busy world, and scheduling time to hassle with our current healthcare system can be extremely frustrating. Getting a lab test ordered through your doctor is often a lengthy and difficult process. First, you must get an appointment with your doctor. This may take a significant amount of time, especially in the Tri-Cities area, where there is currently an extreme shortage of doctors. Second, you must get a referral (order) for the test. Third, you must go to a laboratory to get the lab test ordered and performed. Fourth, when the test is completed, the result is sent to the doctor (not to you), and you must then wait to hear from your doctor about the test result. It could take weeks or months to go through this process once, let alone if you need multiple tests or re-testing, or simply wish to monitor something over time.
You remove that entire process by ordering a DTC lab test from Tomorrow’s Health. You don’t need an appointment, but can simply walk in. That means you can schedule at YOUR convenience, not the convenience of you doctor or a lab.
Confidentiality
Your health is your business. If you desire to get a blood test done and keep it private, you have the right and ability to do so with DTC lab tests. Whether you are testing for Flu (influenza), Strep throat (Group A Strep) or COVID-19, a possible sexually transmitted infection (STI), need a urine drug screening, or are curious about your genetic history or ancestry, you can rest assured that your test results are private. The results will go directly to you, not to your doctor or insurance company.
Greater Involvement in Your Heath
Waiting around for doctors and jumping through hoops can be frustrating; it is tempting to wash your hands of the process as soon as it is over with no follow-up. One of the best benefits of getting DTC lab testing is involvement. Consumers who make an effort to get their blood tested are often more invested in the results and how to better their health with their newfound knowledge. We at Tomorrow’s Health want you to take control of your well-being and live your best life. You can start by coming into Tomorrow’s Health today!
What Tests are Available for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Testing?
At Tomorrow’s Health, you can access hundreds of DTC lab tests. Whether you are looking for an overall health and wellness panel or want to investigate a specific component of your health, you can find a wide variety of available tests. Go to tomorrowshealth.net and review our test menu now!
Get Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Blood Testing with Tomorrow’s Health
Tomorrow’s Health is here to help individuals take control of their health. Our vision has been and always will be to save patients money (by avoiding unnecessary doctor visits), time (waiting for the medical system to process them through), and hassle (test results report directly to the consumer). As the premium provider of DTC testing in Tri-Cities area, we have helped countless patients become more involved with their health.
For more information, please visit our website (tomorrowshealth.net) or contact us (info@tomorrowshealth.net) with your questions. No appointment necessary, feel free to walk-in and order your own DTC lab test!
