Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I go to any Valley Clinical Laboratory Patient Service Center to have my lab work done?
- My doctor ordered my test "FASTING". what does this mean?
- Do I need an appointment for lab tests?
- What hours can I have my lab work done?
- Where can I get lab work done?
- Do I need a doctors order to have lab work done?
- Do you bill insurance, and which ones?
- What is "ABN" and how can it affect me and my insurance payment?
Can I go to any Valley Clinical Laboratory Patient Service Center to have my lab work done?
YES! For your convenience there are a number of Patient Service Sites located in the surrounding communities where you can have your lab tests done. Click here for locations.
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My doctor ordered my test "FASTING". What does this mean?
There are many factors that can affect the results of laboratory tests. One of the most common ones is what you eat just prior to having lab work done. For example, if you are supposed to have a cholesterol test, and just before you have your blood taken, you eat a big lunch of deep-fried chicken and french fries. Chances are your Cholesterol result would be abnormally high because of the extra fats you just ingested. This test result would not be very meaningful to your physician because he/she would not know what your TRUE Cholesterol value is. However, if you did not eat or drink anything for a few hours before having the test done, there would be a much better chance of getting a TRUE cholesterol result. This would give your physician much more information concerning your TRUE health - not how greasy your lunch was.
FASTING means not eating or drinking anything by mouth for 8-12 hours before having lab tests done. This is especially important for tests that measure such things as Cholesterol, other Lipids, and Glucose.
If your physician ordered your tests "Fasting", then do not eat or drink ANYTHING (water is ok) for 12 hours before you have your lab test.
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Do I need an appointment for lab tests?
You do not need an appointment for most routine tests. Certain tests, however may require a longer collection period (glucose tolerance test) in which case you must be aware of the hours of operation of the patient service site you are going to. If you have a question about this, please contact the appropriate Patient Service Center.
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What hours can I have my lab work done?
Click here to view the location and hours of our convenient Patient Service Centers
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Where can I have my lab work done?
Click here to view the location and hours of our convenient Patient Service Centers
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Do I need a doctors order to have lab work done?
In most cases you must have a physician's order to have lab tests done.
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Do you bill insurance, and which ones?
We bill most all insurance companies, including Workers' Compensation, MediCAL and Medicare. If you do not have insurance, we can bill you directly. If you have a specific question concerning insurance billing, contact our billing department at
(530-532-8686).
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What is "ABN" and how can it affect my insurance payment?
ABN, or Advanced Beneficiary Notice, is a means to give you advance notice that Medicare may not pay for some or all of the tests your physician ordered. You will be given a notice that you must sign prior to having the lab work done. This form will give you the following information:
- The test or tests that may not be covered by Medicare
- The fact that your physician or the laboratory believes Medicare may not cover the test(s)
- The reason(s) that coverage will likely be denied
- A statement (and space for your signature) confirming that you will be responsible for the bill if Medicare denies payment
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