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LigoLab’s Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal: An Innovative Solution for an Industry-Wide Problem
March 25, 2026
As the COVID pandemic began, all molecular LIS laboratories faced the same problem.
How to provide patients with safe and fast COVID-19 test results?
This disruption within the clinical laboratory management circles led to several innovative solutions. One of them was the creation of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Web Portal: a cloud-based patient engagement tool that replaces paper forms and manual processes with a digital lab workflow supporting direct-to-consumer labs from specimen collection to report delivery, and everything in between.
TestDirectly (and TestDirectly.com) removed the frustrating bottlenecks that labs faced in the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical stages of direct-to-consumer lab testing. With the portal, these direct-to-consumer labs could quickly adapt to and support new COVID-19 collection workflows and move specimens through lab processing much more efficiently. The portal boosted capacity and, at the same time, improved turnaround times (TestDirectly results time), two key factors that helped slow the spread of infections.
Case Study: How Our Lab Partner Embraced Laboratory Information System Innovation and Won a Statewide Testing Contract
Why TestDirectly Remains Essential for Labs Offering Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
TestDirectly is a must-have for medical laboratories and first-care facilities that offer STI and UTI testing, diagnostic screening, and preventive care — any service where direct patient access and fast, accurate results matter.
Along the way, our TestDirectly development team added several features to this intuitive, unified direct-to-consumer lab-testing solution. Core services include patient and family self-registration and scheduling, capacity management, specimen collection, sample tracking and processing, laboratory billing/lab revenue cycle management, compliance, generation of consumer lab reports, patient results notification (by email and text), automated report delivery, and at-home specimen collection.
Have a question? Ready to learn more?
If yes, request a consultation with a LigoLab product specialist, or click the link below to read about a successful use case.
TestDirectly Core Services and Features
TestDirectly is more than just a direct-to-consumer lab testing portal; it’s a robust, end-to-end diagnostic lab software solution that simplifies and streamlines every phase of the testing journey for both patients and providers.
From easy self-registration and scheduling to efficient sample tracking, integrated lab billing, real-time analytics, and automated result delivery, TestDirectly equips laboratories with the diagnostic clinical lab workflow tools to manage high-volume diagnostic testing and preventative screening.
With a comprehensive suite of configurable services and features that support pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical workflows, the TestDirectly application meets the evolving demands of modern healthcare while enhancing patient access, experience, and engagement.
Pre-Analytical: Registration
The pre-analytical and registration phase of the TestDirectly application delivers a comprehensive, user-friendly experience that streamlines the direct-to-consumer lab testing process.
Patients can easily search for test sites or home test kits by test type, location, and preferred payment method. TestDirectly supports secure email and SMS verification, self-registration, and self-scheduling, while also enabling users to select from multiple test options.
Payment is flexible, with support for credit card processing at checkout or upon specimen collection, and client lab billing options are available for third-party clients. Patients simply upload insurance details, including insurance cards and IDs, and acknowledge the terms and conditions before completing their order.
TestDirectly also supports customizable ask-on-order entry (AOE) questions for tailored requisition and report templates.
After a patient places an order, the Testdirectly digital solution immediately sends email and SMS confirmations with appointment details, special instructions, and a barcode to identify the patient and order. Next, the patient can add family members to a single account, and the engagement portal immediately enables replicated orders for family testing.
TestDirectly also features order cancellation, appointment reminder notifications, and seamless integration with third-party laboratory software systems, including modern laboratory billing solutions, all of which ensure a smooth, efficient pre-analytical workflow.
Pre-Analytical: Collection
During the pre-analytical collection phase, TestDirectly enhances efficiency and convenience through a range of smart features designed for both patients and lab staff.
Upon confirmation of an appointment, the patient receives a QR code via email that enables paper-free, contactless check-in when scanned at the testing site.
Staff can enter orders on demand for walk-up patients (or for those patients without an email or a phone). Lab staff can view a daily schedule of all confirmed appointments, with patient addresses displayed as clickable links; this is particularly useful for concierge or at-home testing workflows.
Staff streamline specimen labeling by pre-printing labels for the day’s scheduled patients or dynamically generating labels at check-in. The web-based portal also supports pre-printed barcodes on specimen tubes and enables reprinting Zebra labels directly from the Processing Queue when labels are damaged. Additionally, labels can include an access code that enables patients to retrieve results (consumer lab reports) without creating a TestDirectly account.
After a staffer releases orders from the Processing Queue, TestDirectly transmits electronic orders to the lab. Personnel can also view, print, and edit requisition or intake forms as needed. Other capabilities include last-released tracking validation, real-time insurance eligibility checks, and powerful dashboards with dynamic KPIs for capacity management. A robust order search function further ensures quick and easy retrieval of order details.
Pre-Analytical: Organizational
Our team designed TestDirectly’s pre-analytical organizational features to support high-volume testing programs and streamline administrative workflows.
Organizations can upload patient demographics in bulk via CSV files, linking them directly to their accounts to streamline information systems and data management. Staff can generate orders in batches based on patient type, location, or other predefined criteria.
At the same time, a single “New Order” can be created to accommodate one-off or sporadic testing needs.
TestDirectly also supports “Direct Patient Access,” empowering individuals to self-register for testing on demand, and “Campaign Events,” where patients receive email invitations to participate in specific, time-limited testing initiatives.
To protect privacy and ensure data security, TestDirectly offers customizable access controls that limit patient data and lab report visibility to authorized organizational administrators.
Analytical
The analytical capabilities of TestDirectly offer the flexibility and interoperability needed to support laboratories of all sizes by adapting to any clinical lab workflow.
The direct-to-consumer lab testing portal is also equipped with streamlined LIS laboratory information system functionality, enabling easy integration with external laboratory software systems, making it flexible across diverse lab environments. As advanced molecular lab software, it supports manual result entry using positive, negative, or inconclusive (P/N/I) values, along with efficient data exchange through CSV downloads for patient orders and uploads for test results.
TestDirectly also offers robust support for specimen barcoding and sample tracking, promoting accuracy and transparency throughout the testing process. For sensitive cases, non-negative results can be delayed and routed to a dedicated Call Queue, enabling direct-to-consumer labs to handle follow-ups with care and confidentiality.
Post-Analytical: Reporting
Our team designed TestDirectly’s post-analytic and reporting features to ensure timely communication and easy access to test results.
Patients receive email and SMS notifications as soon as their results are released, enabling fast, seamless communication. For those needing travel documentation, staff can attach relevant paperwork upon request.
TestDirectly also delivers real-time results and analytics, not only to patients but also to public health agencies, employers, and other authorized entities. All requisition and consumer lab reports are easily downloadable and printable through the portal, enhancing convenience and accessibility.
Administration and Configuration
TestDirectly’s highly configurable administrative and setup environment enables users to tailor the portal to meet specific organizational and project needs.
Test sites can be easily created and customized based on location, capacity, and service requirements, with built-in tools for managing caseloads across multiple facilities. GEO search parameters help patients locate nearby testing locations, while administrators can define time zones per project to ensure accuracy.
Users can create and manage specific tests or panels, as well as launch dedicated “Campaigns” that include physician details, AOE questions, test options, payment methods, and other project constraints.
TestDirectly administrators can define user roles and set access permissions based on security clearance.
Branding and communication customization is also supported, with options to add company logos, display patient-facing instructions, and design personalized labeling formats (such as Zebra or Avery labels).
Administrators can customize email and SMS notifications, as well as tailor requisition and report templates to align with specific operational needs. They can also include terms and conditions for patient acknowledgment at checkout and configure rules, such as limiting testing to asymptomatic individuals.
Additionally, the application includes an automation engine to streamline and optimize clinical lab workflow.
The Benefits of TestDirectly for Labs and Patients
TestDirectly delivers a wide range of benefits that enhance laboratory operations and patient care.
Operational Benefits for Laboratories
- Boosts testing capacity and improves turnaround times, creating end-to-end efficiencies across labs and collection sites.
- Expands access to testing and opens new revenue streams
- Automates patient support functions, reducing the burden on customer service teams
- Eliminates paper requisitions and manual processes, replacing them with streamlined digital workflows
- Prevents lost revenue by collecting patient demographics and insurance information upfront — drastically reducing data entry errors and lost results
Patient and Provider Benefits
- Delivers real-time results and analytics to all stakeholders
- Saves valuable time and resources for both patients and lab teams
On-Demand Webinar: Learn How to Expand Your Lab’s Services and Add Revenue with Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
Diagnostic Lab Software Innovation that Removes Growth Barriers
LigoLab is a leading provider of innovative end-to-end diagnostic lab software, proudly serving its growing customer base since 2006.
As a comprehensive enterprise-grade laboratory information system software with embedded laboratory billing solutions, the LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab RCM Informatics Platform includes modules for anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, molecular diagnostics, lab revenue cycle management (lab RCM), and direct-to-consumer lab testing, all on one united lab database software that supports every role, department, and case.
To learn more about LigoLab’s innovative LIS system and laboratory billing solutions, click here to schedule a visit with a product specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About TestDirectly
How long does it take to implement TestDirectly in a lab?
Implementation timelines vary based on lab size and existing systems, but our team designed TestDirectly for rapid deployment. Its LIS-agnostic architecture means it integrates with your current setup without requiring a full system replacement, significantly reducing onboarding time.
How is TestDirectly priced?
TestDirectly is part of LigoLab's volume-based tiered pricing model with no large upfront licensing fees. Labs pay in alignment with their testing volume, making it a scalable option whether you're a small collection center or a high-volume clinical laboratory. Contact a LigoLab product specialist for a tailored quote.
Does TestDirectly work with existing LIS systems?
Yes. TestDirectly is LIS-agnostic and integrates seamlessly with any existing laboratory information system and all laboratory billing solutions. It also includes a built-in, lightweight LIS for smaller facilities that don't have a separate system.
How does TestDirectly handle high-volume organizational testing?
For high-volume programs, TestDirectly supports bulk patient demographic uploads via CSV, batch order generation by patient type or location, Campaign Events with email-based patient invitations, and powerful dashboards with dynamic KPIs for real-time capacity management.
How does TestDirectly support contactless patient check-in?
Upon confirmation of the appointment, patients receive a QR code via email. When scanned at the testing site, this code enables paper-free, contactless check-in — eliminating physical paperwork and reducing exposure risk for both patients and staff.
What reporting capabilities does TestDirectly offer?
TestDirectly delivers real-time results and analytics to patients via email and SMS, and to public health agencies, employers, and other authorized entities through automated reporting. All requisition and result reports are downloadable and printable through the portal, and travel documentation can be attached to results upon request.
How does TestDirectly help labs prevent revenue loss?
By collecting patient demographics and insurance information at the point of registration — before any specimen is collected — TestDirectly eliminates the data gaps that typically cause claim denials and lost results. Real-time insurance eligibility checks further validate coverage upfront, reducing downstream billing errors and protecting revenue.
What is the LigoLab Medical LIS and Lab RCM Informatics Platform?
It is an enterprise-grade, all-in-one laboratory information system software platform that unifies anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, molecular diagnostics, lab revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing on a single integrated database and infrastructure. TestDirectly is one of the modules within this platform, fully integrated with LigoLab's LIS system and lab RCM capabilities.
How do I get started with TestDirectly for my lab?
The fastest way to get started is to schedule a consultation with a LigoLab product specialist. They can walk you through the platform, assess your lab's workflow needs, and outline a tailored implementation plan suited to your testing volume and patient population.
