HepC blood tests online?

[fretboard]

I didn't want to hijack anyone's thread so I decided to ask the question.  How do these online labs work if you can't get a blood test without a doctor's prescription?  If you look at the prices at this online, they do offer HepC testing but I'm not sure of the specifics.  Anyone?

Private MD Lab Services offers direct to the public medical lab tests, STD tests and blood testing. These are the same clinical laboratory tests that doctors rely on to diagnose serious medical conditions and guide life-saving therapies. We deliver these same state-of-the art blood tests, STD testing and other lab testing directly to you - confidentially, conveniently, and affordably.
The Private MD difference:

    * Confidential: No doctor visit needed; we provide the lab order
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[fretboard]

Now why couldn't I think of that, and I'm not even on tx. smile

[jmjm530]

My understanding is that most who have gotten blood tests outside of the trials got an rx from a different doctor. For example, their family doctor.

-- Jim

[fretboard]

I wasn't referring to you but you may have been in the discussion.  It was tippyclubb's thread and it went in the direction of testing outside of a clinical trial.  Anyways, someone said that you need a doctors prescription to get a blood test and I was thinking that yes that's probably true.  But I know others on this forum have gotten tests done outside of the trials and they had to do it somehow.    

fret
  

[Tippyclubb]

Someone else was saying in another threat that a doctor's prescription is needed to get a blood test done and I didn't think that was true that is all.  thank you for the responses

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I said that fret.  I know if you go directly to the lab you must have a prescription.  I am not sure how it works with the on line lab.

[jmjm530]

Someone else was saying in another threat that a doctor's prescription is needed to get a blood test done and I didn't think that was true that is all.  
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That might have been me and my answer was in the  context of the question asked and was not referring to the online world of rx drugs and lab testing.  I still think I'm still technically correct as many online rx drug and lab services circumvent the issue by having their own in-house doctors write the rx's where state laws allow.

That said, as long as the online rx drug and lab companies are allowed to operate (some are under investigation) I see no problem as long as you do some research  regarding what specific labs will be used to draw and process blod, and what specific tests will be run and then do a cost comparison (if cost is the reason) versus getting either a negotiated discount direct from the lab, or asking your doc to pass along their discounted rate, assuming no insurance. I took a very brief look at a few of the tests offered and I think I could probably negotiate just as good a rate directly with the lab but that's just a guess. Then theres also the privacy issue and not sure whether these labs are more or less private than seeing a doctor. Personally, I'd be somewhat reluctant to give an online lab my real name and SSN but that's just me.

-- Jim

-- Jim

[fretboard]

No this testing wasn't for me as fortunately I have good insurance.  Someone else was saying in another threat that a doctor's prescription is needed to get a blood test done and I didn't think that was true that is all.  thank you for the responses

[springfever]

I looked online and came across a site, forgot the name, but they used Labcorp.  Anyway, you could get the initial hepc test, just to see if you are positive or not, without a dr order.  But PCR's and more advanced tests require doc order.  

[Rain6866]

My hubby and his long lost daughter did paternity test from online. It was about $300 compared to the $1200 or more most local places charge. I think theres a big difference in a paternity test than something that is life threatening though. If you were to take this test online and it came back positive, then you would still have to go the doctor and let him do his own testing, biopsies etc. Even more money. If it came back negative, could you really trust that? Or would you wonder if it true then have to go pay for the test from a local doctor anyway?
If you have no insurance then theres lots of places that will help with the testing medicaid maybe?  HCV is a very expensive dragon to follow. My copay for my meds is $215 month. Thats soooo much less than I thought it was going to be. Some people even get theirs a whole lot less.
Good Luck and God Bless

[geterdone]

The medical information you provide is unsecured and the results of the tests may be damaging in the public domain. I would NOT even think about subscribing to one of these sites and would rather pay the co-pay but that is just me.

geterdone