Lab Tests starting at $5: The Power of Patient Assistance Lab Services (P.A.L.S)
In this episode of Smart Living, I’m thrilled to share an exciting resource that can help you save big on lab tests. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or simply looking for ways to cut down on medical costs, this is for you! I had the pleasure of speaking with Christina Sewell, the Executive Director of Hepa Lions and Patients Alliance Lab Services (PALS), a nonprofit organization providing lab tests at incredibly low prices. Some tests are as affordable as $5!
What is P.A.L.S?
Patients Alliance Lab Services (PALS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers discounted lab tests for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Originally created as an online support group for patients with Hepatitis C, the organization has grown into a national service offering low-cost lab tests through partnerships with major national labs like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics.
PALS aims to provide affordable testing for various health concerns, ranging from routine checkups to more specialized tests. Their mission is to help people save money on healthcare, which is more important than ever in today’s economic climate.
Affordable Lab Testing Nationwide
If you’re worried about high lab costs, PALS might be the solution. They work with national lab companies to offer tests that typically cost hundreds of dollars for as little as $5 or $10. Christina shared that common tests like A1C (a critical diabetes test) cost just $6, while a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) costs only $8.
For more specialized tests, like Hepatitis C testing, which can cost up to $700 at traditional labs, PALS offers it for just $55. And the best part? These low prices are available nationwide. No matter where you live, you can use their services.
How It Works
Here’s how PALS makes it easy and affordable to get the lab tests you need:
- Doctor’s Order: You’ll need a doctor’s order for your lab tests, just like you would at any traditional lab.
- Upfront Payment: With PALS, there are no surprise bills. You pay upfront, so you know exactly what your lab work will cost.
- Get Tested: Once you’ve paid, you can visit a participating lab (LabCorp or Quest) to get your blood drawn.
- Receive Results: Your doctor receives the results, just like they would with any other lab.
PALS processes everything quickly and ensures that your results are sent back to your healthcare provider in a timely manner.
Why Are P.A.L.S Prices So Low?
Christina explained that PALS can offer such low prices due to their long-standing relationships with labs like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. Because they’ve been working with these labs for many years, they can negotiate significantly lower prices compared to what hospitals or even insurance companies might charge.
Their mission isn’t to make a profit, but rather to help people get the healthcare they need. By keeping overhead low and relying on word-of-mouth advertising, they’re able to keep their prices incredibly competitive.
Who Can Benefit?
PALS is open to everyone. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or even insured but facing high co-pays, you can take advantage of their discounted rates. Many patients with insurance find that the out-of-pocket cost of lab work through PALS is cheaper than their co-pays!
Even if you’re on Medicare but can’t afford the premiums for supplemental insurance, PALS is a great option for keeping your lab costs down.
How to Get Started
To find out more about PALS and see the full list of tests they offer, visit their website at PALS-lab.org. You’ll find a transparent list of prices for each test, making it easy to know exactly what you’ll pay upfront. Share this information with your doctor, and they can easily order your tests through PALS.
