topic Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing in Community Chat

Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

sgraham30 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 13:28:43 GMT

Has anyone else gotten a letter from Quest stating that a location is closing because Quest is partnering with Walmart? I received a letter earlier this week stating that the location that i normally go to is closing August 1st, which is next Wednesday.

It stated that we're now to go to a Quest Patient Service Center located in a specific Walmart for all of our lab testing needs. I HATE going to Walmart for anything, their parking lot seems to be full no matter what time of day you go there. The current testing center is closer to home for me & it's down the road from the Costco that I usually go to.

As you might have surmised, I don't like change, especially when it makes doing something more inconvenient for me. I know this isn't about me, I'm just venting, life will go on.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

VaBelle35 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 13:32:35 GMT

This is the new business model.

It's sold as a convenience for you ("you're going to Walmart anyway") but it's a win for Walmart as it makes money for them since you will probably buy something while you are there.

I'm surprised 7-11 hasn't gotten in on the clinic/testing bandwagon.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

jlkz — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 13:44:33 GMT

@VaBelle35

7-11 stores that I have been in simply do not have the floor space to accommodate testing stations. Too, I doubt that I would even go there or to a WalMart for that type procedure.

About 2 years ago, Blue Cross dropped Quest from their coverage....now it’s LabCorp.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

sgraham30 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 13:52:07 GMT

@VaBelle35 wrote:
This is the new business model.

It's sold as a convenience for you ("you're going to Walmart anyway") but it's a win for Walmart as it makes money for them since you will probably buy something while you are there.

I'm surprised 7-11 hasn't gotten in on the clinic/testing bandwagon.

That would be great........except for the fact that I don't shop at Walmart, so for me, this is actually an inconvenience. When I had an rx there, I'd go in, pick up the rx & leave. I don't like Walmart, haven't shopped at one in nearly 10 years. Maybe it's time to find out where my nearest Labcorp location is.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

millieshops — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:11:20 GMT

Years ago I used Quest - super convenient because they are in the same building as my GP and I could walk there if I were so inclined. Then my insurance company took them off network. They are certainly not the only game in town so I switched to LabCorp. For several years. the office closest to me was clean and efficient and the staff knew how to make people feel relaxed.

Now it's just inertia that keeps me going there because with Medicare as my primary, I could go back to Quest which for now at least is still where it's always been. If they go with Walmart, that's about a 10-mile drive. I do believe I've been in that Walmart twice in the 25+ years it's existed there, so no, I'm not changing just yet.

I can drive to Lab Corp almost as they open, have my blood drawn, and be back in the kitchen for my AM coffee often in less than half an hour most visits.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

CelticCrafter — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:24:19 GMT

@jlkz - we have Empire BC/BS and Quest is still listed an in-network for us, however there are none in our state, same for LabCorp.

I had a heck of a time trying to find a different one in our network, close to home. I had to go through pages and pages to find one.

I wasn't spending $15 to cross the bridge and the travel time to get to a Quest or LabCorp.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Cakers3 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:26:45 GMT

Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

sgraham30 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:32:11 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

None of the doctors that I see offer in office blood draws, so I have to go to a Quest or Labcorp location to have it done.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Cakers3 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:37:33 GMT

@sgraham30 wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

None of the doctors that I see offer in office blood draws, so I have to go to a Quest or Labcorp location to have it done.

@sgraham30 That's too bad. It really is convenient to have everything done in one place.

I would hate the idea of having to go to Wal-Mart although right now our PCP doesn't use Quest for us.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Snowpuppy — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:43:49 GMT

I recently used Quest and it was a good experience.

Located next to an urgent care facility, I made an appt on my lunch hour. They took me as an appt before taking 2 walkins ahead of me. My dr will fax my order for bloodwork to me and I walk it into the lab.

I don't shop WM either so if there is a change like this coming, I'll find another lab. It ticks me off to no end the shady stuff retailers do to get yoou to spend the almighty dollar.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:45:31 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

Ours too, hope it doesn't change.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Spurt — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:42:16 GMT

@VaBelle35 wrote:
This is the new business model.

It's sold as a convenience for you ("you're going to Walmart anyway") but it's a win for Walmart as it makes money for them since you will probably buy something while you are there.

I'm surprised 7-11 hasn't gotten in on the clinic/testing bandwagon.

@VaBelle35

I think a better partnering would be Jiffy Lube--Just imagine the marketing aspect-While your car is getting checked out.....you can also get your health checked by having your lab work done at the same time!!

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

lkat — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:52:00 GMT

Ugh, I hope my local Quest doesn't go away. Definitely not a convenience to be forced to go to a Wal-Mart, more of a punishment.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Spurt — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:03:42 GMT

In the city where I live Quest has a lot of offices. They did close a facility that was in the same building as one hospital and moved into another new facility affilated with a different hospital. The new building is also right in the heart of a medical center and all kinds of medical complexes, offices, and hospitals nearby. Its conveniently located too...... I dont think they are moving into a WalMart anytime soon.....

Lab Corp is in the same building as my doctor, but these people were so rude, and bruised me up so bad I won't go to any of their facilities......

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:59:38 GMT

UGH.....It's like going to a doctor in a strip mall...not gonna do it.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:09:17 GMT

@sgraham30 I understand how you feel! I don't like change either.

I guess (like some have said) it's what's happening everywhere. There are companies that are getting bigger and bigger and the little (I don't know anything about Quest) I'm speaking in general, are getting choaked out.

I'm sorry, I hope things work out better for you. Thinking about you.

I almost forgot. I have something I have to take to Quest, I'd better hurry up and get it done.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

sgraham30 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:30:40 GMT

@Spurt wrote:
In the city where I live Quest has a lot of offices. They did close a facility that was in the same building as one hospital and moved into another new facility affilated with a different hospital. The new building is also right in the heart of a medical center and all kinds of medical complexes, offices, and hospitals nearby. Its conveniently located too...... I dont think they are moving into a WalMart anytime soon.....

Lab Corp is in the same building as my doctor, but these people were so rude, and bruised me up so bad I won't go to any of their facilities......

There are multiple Quest locations, but the one moving into Walmart was the one that's closest to me, it was about a 10-12 minute drive for me. When I was done having blood drawn, I'd head down the road to Costco.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

GCR18 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:24:31 GMT

I had to use Quest a handful of times while visiting my mother. Dr wanted a blood test on a certain day. Horrible is the nicest thing I can say about Quest. My mother won't go if her location moves to Walmart.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:27:27 GMT

@sgraham30 wrote:
Has anyone else gotten a letter from Quest stating that a location is closing because Quest is partnering with Walmart? I received a letter earlier this week stating that the location that i normally go to is closing August 1st, which is next Wednesday.

It stated that we're now to go to a Quest Patient Service Center located in a specific Walmart for all of our lab testing needs. I HATE going to Walmart for anything, their parking lot seems to be full no matter what time of day you go there. The current testing center is closer to home for me & it's down the road from the Costco that I usually go to.

As you might have surmised, I don't like change, especially when it makes doing something more inconvenient for me. I know this isn't about me, I'm just venting, life will go on.

@sgraham30

So .... go somewhere else. No biggie.

The only thing you can count on in life is change.

Re: Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:29:04 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

Ours too, hope it doesn't change.

Same here. My Doctor has a few who draw blood. I have been going every 3 months for 5 years for a blood draw and have never had a bad one.