Laboratory services help your provider create an accurate treatment plan. If you're looking to get labs done, or your provider has recommended lab work, here's what to expect.
Step 1: Choose a preferred lab facility
You can complete your lab work with one of our partners: LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, or an external facility. Circle Medical isn't offering lab services at this time.
What to consider when choosing a lab facility:
Which locations are closest to your home or work.
If the facility accepts your insurance.
Looking to schedule a drug screen? Find everything you need to know in our Urine drug monitoring (UDM) article.
Insurance coverage and lab billing
We encourage you to call your insurance directly to confirm lab procedure and service coverage before completing lab work.
When speaking to your insurance, ask questions like:
"Which labs are covered under my plan?"
"Does my plan cover lab work at my preferred lab facility?"
Important notes about lab billing
If you receive an unexpected bill from a lab, reach out to the lab directly. The lab can confirm the charges, verify insurance information, and resubmit the claim if needed.
Contact your insurance directly if the issue concerns coverage, deductible/coinsurance, or why the claim was denied.
Can I do my labs at a facility other than LabCorp or Quest?
You may use an external lab facility, but please contact them first. Ask:
Do you accept LabCorp or Quest requisitions?
Do you require a provider's signature?
Most external labs require a signed requisition, which your provider can provide upon request.
If a signature is needed, please start a chat via the HIPAA-compliant chat feature on the Circle Medical mobile app or web portal.
Step 2: Meet with your provider
Before any lab work can be ordered, an appointment with your provider is often required. During this appointment, your provider determines which specific lab tests you need. Other pointers to discuss during your appointment:
Ask about any additional tests that you may want.
Share your preferred lab facility with your provider. Your lab requisition will be sent there, and to your Secure Care Inbox within 24 hours after your appointment.
If applicable, your provider will provide instructions on how to prepare for the blood draw.
Step 3: Schedule your lab appointment
Once your labs have been ordered, you can schedule a lab appointment directly with LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics.
Important reminders for your lab appointment
Lab orders are valid for six months from the date they are sent. Lab orders expire 6 months after their send date.
Remember to bring a copy of your lab order with you. This can be found in your Secure Care Inbox located via the message icon on the home screen of your app or web portal.
If your provider has ordered multiple lab requisitions, make sure to verify with the lab technician that all tests are completed.
If you have been instructed to fast before your appointment, refrain from eating or drinking anything except water for 10 hours. Black coffee and plain tea (without sugar or creamer) are allowed.
Accessing your lab results
Typically, it takes 7-10 days for lab results to be processed. Once ready, your lab results will be shared with you in your Secure Care Inbox. They will also be sent to your provider for analysis and review.
If you don't receive an update in your Secure Care Inbox about your lab results after this timeframe, please chat in via the mobile app or web portal.
Lab results from an external lab facility
If you have completed your lab work at an external facility, it is your responsibility to ensure that the results are forwarded to Circle Medical.
If you have a copy of your results, please upload them via the mobile app or web portal.
Or, the external facility can send the results via fax at: (888) 803-3331 or email: [email protected].
Next steps
After receiving your lab results, your provider may message you in your Secure Care Inbox to discuss next steps in your treatment plan.
If you have any questions, please start a chat in the mobile app or web portal.