How to pay your Quest Diagnostics bill
Quest Diagnostics sends bills to patients who had lab work done without insurance, with insurance that didn't cover the full cost, or through a self-pay arrangement. You can pay online through their patient portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Quest location. The fastest route is their website at questdiagnostics.com — you'll need your bill number and date of birth to log in or set up an account.
If you received a paper bill in the mail, it will show a due date and list payment methods on the back. Quest does not charge a fee for online payments, phone payments, or mailed checks. If you use a third-party payment service or credit card processor, that service may charge its own fee — Quest's own channels do not.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay online at questdiagnostics.com using your bill number and date of birth, or by calling their billing line at the number on your bill.
- Mailing a check to the address on your bill is free and usually takes five to seven business days to post to your account.
- If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact Quest's billing department before the deadline to discuss payment plans or hardship options.
- Unpaid bills may be sent to a collection agency, which will appear on your credit report and affect your credit score.
Paying online through the Quest patient portal
Go to questdiagnostics.com and look for a "Pay My Bill" or "Patient Portal" link on the homepage. Click it and select "Log In" if you already have an account, or "Register" if this is your first time. You'll need your date of birth and either your bill number or the phone number associated with your account.
Once logged in, your bill will appear with the amount due and due date. Select the bill you want to pay and choose your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account. Enter the card or account information and confirm the payment. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately, and the payment usually posts within one business day.
If you don't remember your login information, the portal has a "Forgot Password" option. If you can't find your bill number, call the number on your paper bill and a representative can help you locate it or set up online payment over the phone.
Paying by phone
The phone number for Quest Diagnostics billing is printed on your bill. Call during business hours (usually 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday) and have your bill number and payment method ready. A representative will confirm the amount due, process your payment, and give you a confirmation number.
You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account over the phone. The payment posts within one to two business days. If you call outside business hours, you may be able to leave a message or use an automated system to make a payment, depending on Quest's current setup.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount shown on your bill. Do not send cash. On the check, write your bill number in the memo line so Quest can match the payment to your account. Include the payment stub from your bill if one was provided — it has your account information printed on it.
Mail the check to the address shown on your bill. Do not mail it to a Quest lab location; use only the billing address printed on the statement. Payment by mail typically takes five to seven business days to arrive and post. If you're close to the due date, consider paying online or by phone instead to avoid a late fee.
What happens if you miss the due date
If your payment is not received by the due date on your bill, Quest may charge a late fee. The amount varies but is usually between $25 and $50. After 30 days past due, your account may be flagged for collection. After 60 to 90 days, Quest may sell the debt to a third-party collection agency, which will then contact you directly.
A collection account appears on your credit report and lowers your credit score. It stays on your report for seven years from the date it was first reported as past due. Even after you pay, the collection account remains visible to lenders, though some credit scoring models weight older collections less heavily.
Setting up a payment plan if you can't pay in full
If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, call the billing number on your bill and ask about a payment plan before the deadline passes. Quest may offer to split your bill into two or three payments over 30 to 90 days. The terms depend on the total amount owed and your situation.
Payment plans are usually interest-free, but you must make each payment on time or the plan may be cancelled and the full balance declared due. Get the plan terms in writing — ask for an email confirmation or request that the representative mail you a written agreement showing the payment dates and amounts.
If Quest denies a payment plan or the terms don't work for your budget, ask whether they have a financial hardship program. Some labs offer reduced bills or extended payment terms for patients with low income or medical debt from multiple providers.
Disputing a bill you believe is wrong
If you think your bill is incorrect — for example, you were told the test was covered by insurance, or you were charged twice for the same service — call the billing number on your bill and explain the issue. Have your bill, insurance card, and any written communication from Quest available when you call.
Ask the representative to review the charge and explain why you were billed. If they cannot resolve it immediately, ask for a case number and a timeline for follow-up. Request written confirmation of what you discussed. Do not ignore the bill while disputing it; continue to pay what you believe you owe to avoid collection action while the dispute is being reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Quest bill with a credit card online?
Yes. Quest's website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay by debit card or bank account. There is no fee for paying through questdiagnostics.com.
What if I lost my bill and don't have the bill number?
Call the billing number listed in your account statement or on any mail from Quest. A representative can look up your account using your date of birth and Social Security number, and will help you pay over the phone or resend your bill by email.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up?
Online payments usually post within one business day. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately after you submit payment. If more than two business days pass and the payment hasn't posted, call billing to confirm it was received.
Can I set up automatic payments so I don't have to remember the due date?
Some patient portals allow you to set up recurring payments or autopay for monthly bills. Log into your Quest account and look for an autopay or recurring payment option. If you don't see one, call billing to ask whether they offer automatic payment setup over the phone.
What should I do if a collection agency contacts me about a Quest bill?
Do not ignore the call or letter. Contact Quest's billing department first to confirm the debt is real and ask whether you can still pay them directly instead of the collection agency. If you pay Quest, ask them to contact the collection agency and request that the account be removed. Get written confirmation of any payment arrangement before sending money.