How to Schedule and Prepare for a Quest Diagnostics Appointment

How to schedule a Quest Diagnostics appointment

You can schedule a Quest Diagnostics appointment online, by phone, or by walking into a patient service center without an appointment. The online method is fastest: go to questdiagnostics.com, enter your zip code to find the nearest center, select a date and time from available slots, and confirm your appointment. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details and the address of your center.

To schedule by phone, call 1-800-222-0446. A representative will ask for your zip code, preferred dates and times, and any tests your doctor ordered. If you prefer to walk in, most Quest centers accept same-day patients during business hours, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Walk-in availability is typically longest in early morning hours.

Before you book, check whether your doctor has already sent your test order to Quest. You can verify this on the Quest website by entering your name and date of birth, or by calling the phone number above. If your order is not yet in the system, ask your doctor's office to send it electronically or provide you with a paper requisition to bring with you.

Key Takeaways

• Online scheduling at questdiagnostics.com is the fastest method and shows real-time availability at your nearest center.
• You can call 1-800-222-0446 to schedule by phone or walk into most Quest centers without an appointment, though wait times are longer.
• Confirm that your doctor's test order has been sent to Quest before your appointment, or bring a paper requisition with you.
• Bring a photo ID and insurance card to your appointment, along with any paperwork your doctor gave you.
• Fasting requirements and other preparation steps depend on which tests you are having, so check your appointment confirmation or call ahead.

What to bring to your Quest appointment

Bring a valid photo ID and your insurance card. Quest will use your insurance information to bill your coverage. If you do not have insurance, Quest will provide pricing information at check-in. You should also bring any paperwork your doctor gave you, including a paper test requisition if your order was not sent electronically.

If you are a new patient at that Quest location, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete a brief intake form with your medical history and current medications. Returning patients can typically check in within a few minutes of arrival.

Fasting and preparation before your appointment

Whether you need to fast depends on which tests your doctor ordered. Blood glucose tests, lipid panels, and some metabolic panels require fasting for 8 to 12 hours before your appointment — usually overnight. Your appointment confirmation email or the Quest website will list any fasting requirements for your specific tests.

If you are unsure whether you need to fast, call Quest at 1-800-222-0446 or contact your doctor's office. Fasting when it is not required will not harm you, but not fasting when it is required can make your results inaccurate. Water is usually permitted during a fasting period, but confirm this with Quest or your doctor.

For urine tests, you may be asked to provide a sample at the center. For some tests, you might collect a sample at home and bring it with you — Quest will tell you this when you schedule. If you are taking medications, continue taking them as prescribed unless your doctor told you to stop before the test.

What happens during your appointment

Check-in typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. A phlebotomist or lab technician will call you back, verify your name and date of birth, and ask which tests you are having. For blood tests, they will draw blood from a vein in your arm, usually from the inside of your elbow. The draw itself takes a few minutes. For urine tests, you will be directed to a restroom to provide a sample in a cup.

Most appointments last 15 to 30 minutes from check-in to completion. After your sample is collected, you are free to leave. You do not need to wait for results at the center.

How to get your test results

Quest typically makes results available online within 24 to 48 hours of your appointment, though some results take longer. You can view your results through your Quest account on questdiagnostics.com by logging in with your email and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one after your appointment.

Your doctor's office will also receive your results electronically. If your doctor ordered the tests, they may contact you directly with results or ask you to call their office to discuss them. Some results require a doctor's interpretation, so do not assume a result is normal just because you received it — wait to hear from your doctor or call them to ask what your results mean.

If you need results urgently, call Quest at 1-800-222-0446 to ask whether your results are ready before the standard timeframe. Some urgent tests are prioritized and available sooner.

Canceling or rescheduling your appointment

You can cancel or reschedule online at questdiagnostics.com by logging into your account and selecting your appointment, or by calling 1-800-222-0446. If you cancel online, you will receive an when ready confirmation. If you call, a representative will process the change and confirm your new appointment time if you are rescheduling.

There is no fee to cancel or reschedule. If you need to cancel, do so as soon as you know you cannot attend, so the time slot becomes available for another patient. If you miss an appointment without canceling, you can still schedule another one — there is no penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule a Quest appointment for someone else?

No, the person having the test must schedule their own appointment or have a parent or legal guardian schedule it for them. When you arrive, the person being tested must bring their own photo ID and answer verification questions at check-in.

What if I do not know what tests my doctor ordered?

Call your doctor's office and ask them to tell you which tests they ordered and why. You can also ask them to email or fax the test requisition to you so you have it in writing. When you schedule your Quest appointment, you can tell the representative which tests you are having, or you can bring the requisition with you.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Most Quest centers accept walk-in patients, but appointment times are usually shorter and have less wait. Walk-in wait times vary widely depending on how busy the center is that day and time. If you have a scheduled appointment, you will typically be seen faster.

What if I am pregnant or nursing and need lab work?

Tell the phlebotomist or technician that you are pregnant or nursing before your test. Some tests have different reference ranges for pregnant or nursing people, and some medications or preparations may not be recommended. Your doctor should have already told you if any of your tests are affected by pregnancy or nursing.

Can I eat or drink before my appointment if I am not fasting?

Yes, if your tests do not require fasting, you can eat and drink normally before your appointment. However, if you are unsure whether you need to fast, it is safer to fast overnight and confirm with Quest when you arrive, rather than risk having to reschedule because you ate when you should not have.