Labs
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Each clinic is unique in how they can get the lab cost down for patients. Lab costs are standardized for FQHCs and the discount price depends on where they fall on the federal poverty level.
Neighborhood Christian Clinic has a portion of the lab cost waived the rest falls to the patient.
SVdP and Mission of Mercy both have indigent accounts and the labs are free.
The National Association of Free Clinics has partners with multiple organizations each year to provide a free point of care lab set up with free reagents through Heart to Heart International. Clinics that are awarded a POC lab will receive free set up, SOPs, all the lab equipment and free reagents.
There are a number of lower cost labs independent of the individual clinics. Healthwaves is an example of one and prices range from $20 for an INR and $35 for a CMP, cholesterol panel and iron level. Other common labs: A1c $25, CBC $20, TSH $38, FIT $30. They offer draws a local grocery stores.
Patient Assistance for Lab Services (PALS) works with Quest and LabCorp. Patients must fill out an online application and there is a $15 processing fee for each order. The patient’s referring physician must also fill out an online form as well. Once processed, there are fixed prices for over 300 labs.
Example: CBC with dif and CMP are both $5.00, A1c $6.00, lipid $8.00, thyroid panel %12.00
Sonora Quest and LabCorp also have programs for patients with hardships.