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Telehealth Testing and Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Give Patients a Prominent Seat at the Healthcare Table
May 14, 2026
Editor's Note: This blog was first published on March 25, 2022. It has been updated since.
Whether people are becoming more proactive about their healthcare or simply seeking convenience remains unclear. But the fact remains that the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new era for telehealth testing and remote-enabled healthcare technologies such as direct-to-consumer lab testing.
A McKinsey & Company article supports this, stating that use of telehealth testing services rose dramatically during the pandemic and has since stabilized at levels nearly 40 percent higher than pre-COVID levels.
For many, telehealth has opened the door to previously unavailable healthcare options, and advocates hope the trend continues to flourish well beyond the pandemic. Telehealth holds the promise of better equity by removing barriers to care for many underserved people and communities. People without transportation or in rural areas can now easily consult with a physician or other healthcare professional thanks to advances in telehealth.
As we examine these changes, it's important to consider how the evolution of telehealth affects molecular, clinical, and anatomic pathology laboratories and the patients they serve.
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The Growing Importance of Laboratory Testing
With advances in technology, clinical labs have become an integral part of the overall healthcare package. In many cases, proper diagnosis requires confirmation from a lab facility, while other tests help rule out certain conditions, making laboratory testing central to modern healthcare delivery.
The Rise of Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine
This shift has given rise to a new discipline known as evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM). This branch of diagnostics evaluates and uses laboratory tests to improve patient outcomes.
At the intersection of EBLM and telehealth lies an interesting dilemma: how do people without in-person care initiate lab work?
"The emergence of evidence-based laboratory medicine combined with the growing use of telehealth has given rise to a relatively new clinical lab workflow, direct-to-consumer lab testing," said LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian.
While physicians typically order lab tests, Avunjian noted that direct-to-consumer lab testing empowers individuals to take a more active role in understanding their health, while emphasizing the importance of consulting qualified healthcare providers when making any wellness-related decisions.
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What is Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing?
Direct-to-consumer lab testing (DTC) is when a patient orders a lab test and receives results directly, bypassing the need for a physician or the traditional healthcare system. This approach typically delivers faster results at a lower cost, making it an appealing choice for proactive, health-minded consumers.
When Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Makes Sense
While direct-to-consumer lab testing isn't appropriate for every type of diagnostic assay, particularly those requiring specialized interpretation, physician oversight, or involving complex clinical analysis, it can be a convenient and effective tool for monitoring chronic conditions, screening for select infectious diseases, identifying some unknown medical issues, or simply gaining a better understanding of one's overall health.
The Role of Professional Guidance
Understanding diagnostic results can be challenging for many consumers, often requiring professional interpretation and guidance on appropriate next steps. As a result, direct-to-consumer labs hold a vital role not only in providing accurate, timely results but also in supporting patient education, clinical insight, and ongoing follow-up care.
Federal and state agencies regulate direct-to-consumer lab testing in the U.S., so consumers should always work with a CLIA-certified lab.
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The Fight for Consumer Access to Laboratory Testing
A Shift Toward Patient-Centered Care
Growing consumer demand for greater involvement in care is transforming the healthcare industry. Patients now expect direct access to their personal health information, including lab test results. Previously, regulations limited who could order tests and release results, but those restrictions are quickly giving way to a more patient-centered approach.
Most states now allow consumers to order some or all of their laboratory tests directly without physician involvement. At the federal level, the government now requires labs to provide individuals with access to their test data upon request.
"Not that long ago, people were required to visit a healthcare provider for lab testing, and they also had to wait for long periods to get results," said Avunjian. "Today, consumers can order laboratory services online and have their sample collected at a local testing center or at home. The test results from these samples can then be accessed within days, not weeks, and securely viewed online via patient portals like our TestDirectly offering."
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Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Concerns
Consumer-directed testing can quickly provide valuable health information. However, some providers and policymakers question the quality and value of certain direct-to-consumer lab tests, particularly those offered in non-traditional settings. Others debate whether consumers have the knowledge and experience to make sound decisions based on their test results.
Direct-to-consumer labs can address these concerns by meeting regulatory requirements and employing qualified staff to answer consumer questions.
"As direct-to-consumer lab testing continues expanding, patients need to educate themselves about testing quality and the credentials of the personnel performing the tests," noted Avunjian. "They should always consult with a CLIA-certified lab and not be afraid to ask questions."
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The Best Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Platforms
Introducing TestDirectly
Innovative clinical laboratory management platforms, such as LigoLab's TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal, are the key to creating best-in-class direct-to-consumer labs. TestDirectly is a user-friendly patient engagement diagnostic lab software that enables healthcare organizations to scale services by increasing testing accessibility, delivering better service, and providing faster, more convenient reporting.
The TestDirectly platform is HIPAA-compliant, integrates with all laboratory software systems, including electronic health records, laboratory information systems, and laboratory billing systems, and removes many labor-intensive aspects of patient-initiated and organizational testing.
"Whether you're a lab manager or a health system, enabling direct-to-consumer lab testing from the ground up is extremely difficult," warned Avunjian. "With TestDirectly, we offer a proven turnkey clinical laboratory management and engagement solution that can quickly become the centerpiece of any DTC program. We make it easy for direct-to-consumer labs of all sizes to scale and shift their services as needed."
From COVID-19 to Comprehensive Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
LigoLab introduced the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal in 2020 as an innovative diagnostic lab software to help medical laboratories and first-care facilities, including specimen collection centers, urgent care centers, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics, connect directly with patients and staff for COVID-19 testing.
Since then, providers have leveraged the TestDirectly platform to simplify and automate a range of other DTC tests and workflows, including sexually transmitted infection testing, urinary tract infection testing, allergy testing, and genetic screening. The platform supports every potential clinical lab workflow for direct-to-consumer labs, covering the complete lifecycle of a case and its associated specimen.
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Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing and Lab Professionals
One of the most important things for consumers to keep in mind is that "patient-initiated" doesn't mean "without a lab professional's help," Avunjian said.
Although some diagnostic testing and result interpretation can be performed independently by laboratory professionals, most specimen testing is processed and reported through clinical laboratories. These laboratories rely on specialized instrumentation and technical expertise to conduct medical testing accurately and interpret complex laboratory reports and diagnostic results.
"Diagnostic lab software developers design lab reports to provide information to highly trained healthcare providers in a simplified format, which reads a lot like code," added Avunjian. "Because of this, an individual consumer will have a hard time fully understanding their test results and might not be able to determine the appropriate next steps."
Labs have an essential role in the direct-to-consumer lab testing process, not only processing tests but also educating consumers about the benefits and limitations of the tests they are taking. Lab technicians interpret results and can guide patients on whether additional testing or physician care is needed. Even as direct-to-consumer lab testing becomes more accessible, a lab's expertise will always be in demand.
Learn More About TestDirectly and TestDirectly.com
TestDirectly is an easy-to-use direct-to-consumer lab testing portal that provides turnkey point-of-care testing solutions while connecting laboratories and collection centers with patients and physicians.
TestDirectly eliminates common bottlenecks in laboratory workflow management, including self-service registration and automated results delivery. It also features powerful automation that supports specimen collection and processing, the customization and delivery of consumer lab reports, and the management of both payment and compliance, all while delivering a better, more unified, and safer patient experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Telehealth and Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
What is direct-to-consumer lab testing, and how does it work?
Direct-to-consumer lab testing enables patients to order lab tests and receive results without a physician referral or a visit to a traditional healthcare facility. Patients can order tests online, have samples collected at a local testing center or at home, and access results securely through a patient portal, often within days rather than weeks.
How has telehealth changed patient access to laboratory testing?
Telehealth has significantly expanded access to healthcare, particularly for patients in rural areas or without reliable transportation. Combined with direct-to-consumer lab testing, it has created a new workflow where patients can initiate and receive lab testing entirely outside traditional clinical settings while still connecting with healthcare professionals for guidance.
Is direct-to-consumer lab testing regulated?
Yes. Both federal and state agencies regulate direct-to-consumer lab testing in the U.S. Consumers should always work with a CLIA-certified laboratory to ensure testing quality and accuracy. Labs must meet strict regulatory requirements to offer DTC testing services.
What types of tests are available through direct-to-consumer lab testing?
DTC testing is well-suited for monitoring chronic conditions, screening for sexually transmitted and urinary tract infections, allergy testing, genetic screening, and general health monitoring. It is not the best option for every type of test, particularly those requiring complex clinical interpretation or immediate medical intervention.
Do consumers still need lab professionals for direct-to-consumer lab testing?
Yes. While DTC testing empowers patients to initiate testing independently, most specimen testing and reporting still require a laboratory and its specialized equipment. Lab professionals play a critical role in processing tests, ensuring accuracy, and helping consumers understand their results, including whether additional testing or physician follow-up is needed.
What is TestDirectly, and how does it help labs offer DTC testing?
TestDirectly is LigoLab's direct-to-consumer lab testing portal. It provides a turnkey, HIPAA-compliant platform that integrates with laboratory information systems, EHRs, and laboratory billing systems. It supports patient self-registration, specimen collection, automated result delivery, and compliance management, enabling labs of all sizes to launch and scale DTC testing programs quickly and efficiently.
What concerns exist around direct-to-consumer lab testing?
Some providers and policymakers question the quality and value of DTC testing offered in non-traditional settings, as well as whether consumers have sufficient knowledge to act appropriately on their results. These concerns are best addressed by working with CLIA-certified labs that employ qualified personnel who can answer patient questions and ensure patients understand when professional medical guidance is needed.
