The Telehealth Lab Referral Model: How to Get Bloodwork Ordered Remotely
Getting bloodwork done through telehealth requires coordination between the online provider ordering the labs and the physical facility drawing the blood. Here's how the current model works.
The Standard Workflow
Telehealth provider orders labs based on the clinical encounter and reason for testing. Order is sent electronically to a national lab (LabCorp, Quest, or others). Patient receives instructions to visit a local draw site — typically a lab company's patient service center. Blood is drawn, samples are processed, results return to the ordering provider (and often to the patient's portal) within 1-5 days depending on tests.
RxSpan MD
Telehealth prescribing across multiple therapy areas.
- Multi-vertical telehealth
- Physician-supervised
- Pricing at checkout
Feel30 TRT
Telehealth TRT program with lab-driven protocol.
- Testosterone replacement therapy
- Lab-driven dosing
- Compounded testosterone options
Fasting and Prep
Fasting requirements depend on the specific tests ordered. Standard lipid panels and glucose tests typically require 8-12 hour fast. Other tests have their own requirements. Well-run telehealth ordering typically includes clear prep instructions with the lab order — but confirming requirements before the appointment prevents wasted trips.
Cost Structure
Insurance may cover labs ordered via telehealth if the visit and the labs are both covered under the plan. Cash-pay lab costs vary widely — simple metabolic panels can run $30-$75; comprehensive TRT or hormone panels can run $200-$500 or more depending on markers included. Some telehealth programs bundle lab costs into subscription pricing.
Sesame Care
Marketplace for brand-name FDA-approved prescriptions.
- Brand-name only
- Consult marketplace
- Cash-pay clarity
For Complex or Specialty Labs
Some specialty labs (genetic testing, specialized endocrine panels, functional medicine markers) aren't handled by standard commercial labs. Telehealth programs specializing in these areas typically use specific specialty lab partnerships. Cost and turnaround times vary significantly for specialty testing.
Found Health
Brand-name GLP-1 access with coaching layer.
- Brand-name focus
- Coaching + accountability
- Insurance-coordinated
The Patient Coordination Role
The telehealth lab model puts more coordination on the patient than in-office lab draws. Patients may need to: verify the order was received at the draw site, follow up if results don't appear in the expected timeframe, and coordinate result discussion with the ordering provider. Well-run programs make this smooth; disorganized programs create friction.
Oak Weight Loss
Telehealth program with compounded GLP-1 access.
- Compounded GLP-1
- Standard intake
- Membership pricing
MadeMed
Independent compounder — sema, tirz, and oral formats.
- Compounded sema/tirz
- Oral tirz option
- Direct pharmacy fulfillment
Where to Start
Wellorithm
Compounded GLP-1 with dose-tier pricing.
- Sema and tirz options
- Tier pricing by dose
- Verify at intake
Telos Rx
Compounded tirzepatide via direct pharmacy.
- Compounded tirzepatide
- Direct-link intake
- Verify pricing
MadeMed
Independent compounder — sema, tirz, and oral formats.
- Compounded sema/tirz
- Oral tirz option
- Direct pharmacy fulfillment