What ARUP Laboratories Is and How It Fits Into Your Care

ARUP Laboratories is a nonprofit clinical laboratory owned and operated by the University of Utah. It processes blood tests, urine tests, tissue samples, and other specimens sent by doctors, hospitals, and clinics across the United States. You do not contact ARUP directly — your doctor or healthcare provider orders the test, your specimen gets collected at a clinic or lab draw site, and ARUP processes it in their facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.

ARUP handles both routine tests (like cholesterol panels and blood counts) and specialized tests (like genetic screening, toxicology, and rare disease diagnosis). Because ARUP is university-based, they also develop and validate new tests that smaller labs may not offer. If your doctor needs an uncommon test or a second opinion on results, they may send your sample to ARUP specifically.

Your insurance typically covers ARUP tests the same way it covers any lab work ordered by your doctor. ARUP bills your insurance directly, and you pay your normal copay or coinsurance. If you do not have insurance, ARUP has a financial information program for uninsured and underinsured patients.

Key Takeaways

  • ARUP Laboratories is a university-based lab in Salt Lake City that processes specimens from healthcare providers nationwide, not a place you visit directly.
  • Your doctor orders the test and arranges where you have blood drawn or a sample collected; ARUP receives the specimen and returns results to your doctor.
  • ARUP offers both common tests and specialized tests that many smaller labs do not perform, including genetic and rare disease diagnostics.
  • Insurance covers ARUP tests the same way it covers other lab work, and ARUP offers financial information for patients without insurance.
  • Results typically return within a few days to two weeks depending on the test type, and your doctor contacts you with the findings.

How a Test Gets Ordered and Processed

Your doctor decides whether you need a lab test and writes an order specifying which tests ARUP should run. The order includes your name, date of birth, insurance information, and the clinical reason for the test. Your doctor's office sends this order to the collection site — which may be a hospital lab, an urgent care clinic, a standalone lab draw center, or sometimes your doctor's office itself.

You go to the collection site at the scheduled time. A phlebotomist or nurse draws blood, collects urine, or obtains whatever specimen the test requires. The specimen is labeled with your name and a unique identifier, placed in the correct container, and shipped to ARUP's main laboratory in Salt Lake City. Shipping usually happens the same day or the next morning, depending on the collection site's schedule.

Once ARUP receives your specimen, lab technicians process it according to the test ordered. They may run it through automated machines, perform manual analysis, or use specialized equipment depending on what is being tested. The turnaround time varies: routine tests like a complete blood count may return results within one business day, while specialized tests like genetic panels or cultures can take one to three weeks.

When results are ready, ARUP sends them electronically to your doctor's office. Your doctor reviews the results and contacts you to discuss what they mean and what happens next. You do not receive results directly from ARUP — your doctor is the intermediary.

Types of Tests ARUP Performs

ARUP runs thousands of different tests across multiple categories. Routine chemistry tests measure glucose, electrolytes, kidney function, liver function, and cholesterol. Hematology tests count red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and assess clotting ability. Microbiology tests culture bacteria, viruses, and fungi from blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids to identify infections.

Immunology and serology tests detect antibodies and antigens related to allergies, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Toxicology tests measure drug levels in blood and urine for both therapeutic monitoring (ensuring a medication is at the right dose) and substance screening. Endocrinology tests measure hormones related to thyroid function, diabetes, and reproductive health.

Genetics and molecular tests are among ARUP's specialties. These include carrier screening (checking whether you carry genes for inherited conditions), prenatal testing, cancer risk assessment, and tests for rare genetic disorders. ARUP also performs pathology services, analyzing tissue samples from biopsies to diagnose cancer and other diseases.

Because ARUP is research-affiliated, they also offer tests that are not yet widely available elsewhere, such as emerging biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease or novel cancer diagnostics. If your doctor says a test is "send-out" or "referred," it often means they are sending it to a specialized lab like ARUP.

Understanding Your Results and What Comes Next

When results come back, your doctor receives a detailed report from ARUP. The report shows your test values, the reference range (what is considered normal), and sometimes interpretive comments from ARUP's pathologists or specialists. Your doctor then explains what the results mean for your health and what the next step is — whether that is no action needed, a repeat test, a medication change, or a referral to a specialist.

If your results are abnormal or unexpected, your doctor may order a follow-up test or ask ARUP to perform a reflex test — an additional test that runs automatically if the first result meets certain criteria. For example, if a screening test is positive, a reflex test might confirm the finding. This saves time because you do not have to come back for a second draw.

Some tests, especially genetic tests, come with a genetic counselor's report or recommendations for family members. If ARUP's test reveals you carry a gene for an inherited condition, your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor to discuss what this means for your health and your relatives' health.

Insurance, Costs, and Financial information

ARUP is an in-network provider for most major insurance plans. When your doctor orders a test, ARUP verifies your coverage before the specimen is collected. Your insurance pays ARUP directly, and you are responsible for your copay, coinsurance, or deductible — the same as any other lab test.

If you do not have insurance, ARUP's financial information program may reduce or eliminate your bill based on your household income. You can request a financial information form from ARUP or ask your doctor's office to help you. ARUP also offers self-pay rates that are lower than the full charge.

Before your test, ask your doctor's office or the collection site whether ARUP will be used and whether your insurance covers it. If you are concerned about cost, mention this to your doctor — sometimes there are alternative tests that are less expensive or covered differently.

How to Access Your Results and Medical Records

Results go to your doctor first. Your doctor's office will contact you with the findings, usually by phone if the result is abnormal or urgent, or by patient portal message or mail if the result is routine and normal. Do not expect to hear from ARUP directly.

If you want a copy of your lab results for your own records, ask your doctor's office. They can print the report or send it to you through your patient portal if your healthcare system has one. You can also request your medical records directly from ARUP by calling their medical records department or submitting a written request, though this usually takes longer than asking your doctor's office.

Some healthcare systems allow you to view lab results through a patient portal as soon as they are available, even before your doctor calls. Check whether your doctor's office offers this — it can help you see results faster, though your doctor's interpretation is still important.

When ARUP Is Used Instead of a Local Lab

Most routine tests can be done at any lab, including local hospital labs or commercial labs like LabCorp or Quest. Your doctor may choose ARUP specifically because they offer a test that is not available elsewhere, because they want a second opinion on an unusual result, or because ARUP has special informed in a particular area.

ARUP is often used for rare disease diagnosis, complex genetic testing, and specialized immunology or toxicology work. If your doctor says your test is being sent to ARUP, it usually means the test is more complex or specialized than what a standard lab offers. This does not mean anything is wrong — it means your doctor is using the right tool for the job.

Turnaround time may be longer when using ARUP because the specimen has to be shipped and the test may be more involved. Ask your doctor how long results typically take for your specific test so you know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to go to ARUP's office in Salt Lake City to have my blood drawn?

No. Your blood is drawn at a local collection site — your doctor's office, a hospital lab, an urgent care clinic, or a standalone lab draw center. The specimen is then shipped to ARUP's main laboratory in Salt Lake City for processing. You never have to travel to Utah.

How long does it take to get results from ARUP?

Turnaround time depends on the test. Routine tests like a complete blood count typically return within one business day. Specialized tests like genetic panels, cultures, or rare disease diagnostics can take one to three weeks. Ask your doctor how long your specific test usually takes.

What if my insurance does not cover ARUP?

ARUP is in-network for most major plans, but if your plan does not include them, talk to your doctor. They may be able to order the test through a different lab that is in-network, or you can ask ARUP about their self-pay rates and financial information program based on your income.

Can I call ARUP directly with questions about my results?

ARUP does not discuss results with patients directly. All communication about your results goes through your doctor. If you have questions about what your results mean, contact your doctor's office — they have your full medical history and can explain the findings in context.

What if my test result seems wrong or I want a second opinion?

Contact your doctor and explain your concern. Your doctor can review the result, check whether a reflex test or repeat test is needed, or send the specimen to another lab for confirmation if they think that is appropriate. Do not contact ARUP directly — your doctor manages this process.