About your lab tests
Dr. Fellows has ordered lab tests to help understand your health status and guide your treatment. This handout covers everything you need to know about completing your blood work at Quest Diagnostics.
Your lab order
- Paper orders are signed at check-out — Quest requires Dr. Fellows’ signature on any paper lab requisition. If you’re given a paper order, our front desk will have it signed before you leave. Keep it with you and hand it to Quest at your visit.
- Electronic orders need nothing extra — if your order was sent to Quest electronically, it’s already on file and signed. You don’t need to bring a paper form.
- Not sure which you have? Ask our front desk at check-out.
Scheduling your appointment
- Make an appointment — Quest accepts walk-ins at most locations, but appointments take priority. With an appointment you’re typically seen within 15 minutes of your scheduled time; walk-in waits can run 30–90 minutes during busy periods.
- How to schedule — book online at QuestDiagnostics.com or through the free MyQuest app. You’ll choose your location, date, and a short time slot.
- Arrive on time — if you check in more than 10–15 minutes late, you may be served as a walk-in.
Before your visit
- Fasting — follow Dr. Fellows’ specific instructions. Unless you were explicitly told to fast, you do not need to fast for your lab tests.
- Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water before your appointment, even if fasting. This makes your veins easier to find.
- Medications — take your regular medications as prescribed unless Dr. Fellows instructed otherwise
- Bring with you — your photo ID, insurance card, and your signed paper lab order (if you were given one)
- Arrive early — plan to arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete paperwork
Quest Diagnostics locations near our office
These patient service centers are listed in order of proximity to Synergy Rheumatology. Hours at Quest locations are often limited to mornings and vary by site — confirm hours when you book online.
- Quest Encinitas — 477 N El Camino Real, Ste B201, Encinitas, CA 92024 — (760) 753-0281
- Quest Oceanside — 3601 Vista Way, Ste 104, Oceanside, CA 92056 — (760) 722-7148
- Quest Vista — 902 Sycamore Ave, Ste 201, Vista, CA 92081 — (442) 204-2565
Insurance and billing
- Most lab tests are covered by insurance when medically necessary, but coverage is not guaranteed
- Your plan may have specific requirements for laboratory services — contact your insurance provider with coverage questions
- If you do not have insurance or your tests may not be covered, ask Quest about payment options
Important information for Medicare patients
If Quest asks you to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), do NOT sign it unless Dr. Fellows specifically told you to do so.
Quest may present an ABN if they believe Medicare won’t cover a particular test. In the vast majority of cases, this is a coding issue that our office can fix. If this happens:
- Decline to sign the ABN form
- Skip the tests in question
- Call our office at (760) 891-4687 for guidance
Please do not complete tests that require an ABN and then try to dispute charges later — this is typically unsuccessful.
After your test
- Some tests may cause minor bruising at the needle site — this is normal and should clear up within a few days
- Your results will be reviewed by Dr. Fellows:
- Urgent or critical findings — you’ll hear from the office right away
- Routine findings — these will be discussed at your next appointment
This handout is provided for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions given by your rheumatologist.