May 2023
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends on May 11 in the United States, but Quest Diagnostics Remains Committed to Providing High-Quality COVID-19 Testing
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends on May 11 in the United States, and the easy availability of testing will end as some labs, providers and retailers stop offering it. But Quest is as committed as ever to serving patients and customers with high-quality COVID-19 testing services.
It is important that providers, patients and consumers understand that access to, and fees and reimbursement for, COVID-19 testing will change after the PHE expires. For more details, healthcare providers and patients may visit: Post PHE testing information | Quest Diagnostics.
Quest will continue to provide a broad suite of tests and services for COVID-19, including:
- Observed self-specimen collection services for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing at over 1,400 of our patient service centers across the United States. With this capability, the physician may place an order with us for specimen collection before they visit with their patient, streamlining testing and care delivery. We believe we are the only major laboratory provider offering this capability on a national scale.
- A complete portfolio of COVID-19 molecular diagnostic and serology antibody laboratory services available to healthcare providers and consumers. These services include respiratory combination tests, which use a single specimen to test for COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.
- Variant sequencing services for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist in public health monitoring of emerging SARS-COV-2 variants in the U.S.
- Participation as the only major laboratory provider in the CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program to support testing access for the uninsured in underserved communities in the U.S.
- Continued collaboration with national retail chains that continue to provide access to our COVID-19 testing services.
- Development of new testing services to help guide COVID-19-related care, such as our recently launched consumer-initiated long-COVID-19 test panels to help the individual with their doctor determine if symptoms are potentially due to post COVID-infection or a different health problem.
We are very proud of the nearly 50,000 Quest employees who were, and continue to be, on the frontlines of the nation’s response to COVID-19. By working together, they are helping to create a healthier world, one life at a time, thereby bringing Quest’s Purpose to life. Check out their inspiring video.
Recent News Highlights
Corporate News
- Haystack Oncology will join Quest Diagnostics through acquisition, adding minimal residual disease testing for patients treated for cancer to Quest’s oncology services portfolio.
- Quest reported first-quarter 2023 revenues of $2.33 billion and updated guidance for the full year.
- Quest completed its acquisition of select laboratory services assets of NewYork-Presbyterian.
Science and Innovation
A study published by NEJM Catalyst found that a food delivery and health coaching pilot improved physical, mental and cost metrics over 6 months in a population of low-income individuals with type 2 diabetes. Pack Health, a Quest Diagnostics company, provided health coaching for the program.
Quest Diagnostics Health Trends® research continues to highlight the impact of the pandemic – and specifically, delays in care -- on health. An analysis of 2.4 million patients with diabetes suggests those who skipped hemoglobin A1C testing in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, had higher levels of the diabetes marker when tested in 2021 than those who were tested both years. A second analysis of nearly 25 million prostate antigen tests (PSA) suggests delayed or missed PSA testing early in the first months of the pandemic may be contributing to more cases of advanced cancer post-pandemic.
February 2023
Expert of the Month: D. Alagia III, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, FACOG, Chief Hospital and Health Systems and Senior Medical Director, Advanced Diagnostics, Women’s Health
A board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Damian “Pat” Alagia is an obstetrician, gynecologist and surgeon specializing in women’s health, including advanced diagnostics for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cervical cancer. He is also a seasoned physician executive and expert in practice management and value-based care who has held management roles in large non-profit health systems, venture capital-backed portfolio companies, and academic medical centers. Dr. Alagia received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and holds master’s degrees in business administration and finance from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. Dr. Alagia is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the American College of Surgeons. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, including Quest Diagnostics Health Trends® and other studies on cervical cancer, prenatal genetics and STIs. To schedule an interview, email mediacontact@questdiagnostics.com.
Corporate News
On February 2, Quest reported full-year 2022 revenues of $9.88 billion and diluted EPS of $7.97.
FORTUNE named Quest Diagnostics one of the "World's Most Admired Companies” for the ninth consecutive year.
Pack Health, a company Quest acquired in early 2022 to add capabilities in digital patient engagement and health coaching, announced plans to expand its headquarter facilities and add at least 200 full-time jobs in Birmingham, Alabama.
Hospital Collaboration
NewYork-Presbyterian and Quest announced a new laboratory services agreement designed to improve access to quality, innovative laboratory services in the Tri-state area.
Quest recently announced it will provide laboratory supply chain expertise and continue to perform reference testing for Tower Health, a regional integrated healthcare system in Pennsylvania.
Science and Innovation
A new Quest Diagnostics Health Trends® analysis suggests incarcerated or detained persons (IDPs) are at far higher risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection and reinfection following treatment than the general population, based on deidentified testing data in the state of California. “More resources and aggressive approaches are needed to successfully confront HCV in correctional facilities and after IDP community return.”
As many as 7 million people in the United States have compromised immune systems that increase their risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19. Population Health Management published a scientific review paper developed by experts from Quest and other organizations on the use of COVID-19 serology (antibody) testing in this vulnerable population.
Conventional screening for prostate cancer is not ideal for differentiating more aggressive cancer from less aggressive disease. Quest has joined up with Cleveland Diagnostics to broaden access to a novel lab test that may help providers grade prostate cancer to identify which patients are at greater risk.
Consumer Health
New Quest consumer-initiated tests on QuestHealth.com:
The most comprehensive suite of diagnostic menopause panel tests, including a first-of-its-kind early menopause test, is now available. The three new panels (Early Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause) aim to help women who suspect they are going through or have gone through the menopause transition.
The Ovarian Reserve Assessment Marker AMH Test helps measure ovulatory egg supply for those planning to or attempting to become pregnant and provides information about what that means for their pregnancy journey.
People and Communities
Ruth Clements, general manager and vice president for the East region of Quest Diagnostics and head of the company’s infectious disease franchise during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was recently named one of 100 extraordinary Black women leaders by Diversity Woman.
On a recent cold winter morning in Chicago, individuals from Mobile Care Chicago and Quest Diagnostics teamed up to deliver healthcare to some of the city’s most vulnerable children.