Comment by stavros
2 days ago
I live in Greece, I can go to a lab, order this, and pay for it. I actually did, the other day, though it was free because the government happens to be running a Lp(a) testing program right now.
Can you not get private labs in Canada?
I've always thought you need a requisition from a doctor, you can't just go pay for something, that's the only way I've seen it done. At least I've never seen services like the OP advertised, that's why I was stricken by it.
(Happy to be corrected)
Hm, over here you need a prescription for medication, but you can do whatever test you want to pay for. I don't know about Canada, though.
Interesting that you can do this in Greece. In the US, a doctor has the order the labs. (Direct-to-consumer lab testing technically exists, but is always ordered by a doctor.)
https://www.privatemdlabs.com/
https://www.discountedlabs.com/
I’ve used both of these in USA with no physician or insurance involved at all. Zero red tape. I believe Canada has some additional rules/barriers against private testing without a physician.
The CEO of PrivateMD labs is on HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=JeanPierreK
Those places are very clear that they have a doctor on board who will order the actual test in your name. That’s why e.g privateMdlabs is promising that you “can avoid the doctors office”, not “no doctor involved”.
To be fair, I don't think anyone actually does it, because who will do their own bloods, but you definitely can. Labs expect to see an order from the doctor, because that's what 99.9% of people have, but they're happy if you just pay out of pocket too.
In the US you can buy 100+ tests from Quest Labs directly, the price even includes a discussion with MD about the results.
The reason I would do it, or do it when in the US is just the convenience. Seeing a doctor is complicated and obviously involves at least one extra step. If you just go and get the tests and have the info, it simplifies things, which is presumably the reason why these direct to consumer options exist in the US.
It's interesting to hear that notionally they have the same model as us of a doctor needing to prescribe the test. The difference in Canada is that private healthcare is not available so you are forced to deal with the public system and the pace and inconvenience that entails.
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In Ontario the doctor gives me a requisition form with the blood tests they want to do. I take that to whatever bloodwork chain is closest to me, they do the test, and get reimbursed by the government.
I don't think any of those chains have the credit card readers or cash registers to take payment from me even if they wanted to.
Anyone can order labs via websites like https://directlabs.com/
If there is a doctor involved, it’s invisible to the consumer.
I believe there are 2-3 states where the rules are different (one being New York) where you can’t self-order tests, but every other state is unrestricted.
Even in New York where you can’t order via the typical websites, you can still go directly to Quest or Labcorp and buy your labs directly from them (without talking to a doctor).
Source: I regularly get blood panels without seeing doctors. I highly recommend direct labs, or Quest Direct if you live in NY.
Fun fact… my primary care provider ordered a Vitamin D and lipid panel for me last year. The cost of the labs after insurance was 3x more expensive than buying the labs myself without insurance. Insanity.
Edit: states with self-testing restrictions: AZ, NJ, NY, RI
If you check the lab report, did you see a doctor listed somewhere near the top? (Even if you didn't explicitly talk to that doctor, I think it's legally necessary in all US states).
(Agree that ordering and paying the cash price is often cheaper than insurance.)
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> Direct-to-consumer lab testing technically exists, but is always ordered by a doctor.)
More like rubber-stamped by a doctor. There are numerous websites where you can buy the labs you want and the requisition will appear in your inbox shortly afterward after being “reviewed” by a doctor.
It’s really not an impediment at all.
This is very much not true. I just paid $12 to have a lipid test done. No doctor order or involvement at all.
At least for the tests I've gotten in the past, there's always a doctor's name on the lab order. They might not do an appointment with you, but it's still a legal requirement to get the test done.
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I believe it depends on the state.
I'm in the US and our local hospital lab has "test fair" week every year when anyone can roll up and get any test for a nominal payment (basic common tests). No doctor involved.
> In the US, a doctor has the order the labs
Concierge doctors will do this with a text. It’s dumb. So dumb. But doable.
What is the purpose of running lp(a) testing, if i may ask? Just for knowing the risk factor and dealing with it? As far as i know there is no easy way for dealing with it once and for all times (gene editing...)