AffordaLAB now offering lab services for uninsured

(L-r) Andre Brel, owner, Sue O'Connor, president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Dr. A. Radow, Mayor Leo Diana, and Anton Brel, director of operations at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for AffordaLAB, located at 534 East Middle Turnpike. Photo by Christian Mysliwiec.

For those who need blood work done but do not have the insurance to pay for it, there is a new option in town. AffordaLAB, located at 534 East Middle Turnpike, celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Nov. 14. They offer blood work and urine analysis services for the uninsured or the under-insured – such as those on high-deductible health plans.

“When a doctor gives you a prescription, you have the choice of taking it to any pharmacy that you want,” said Director of Operations Anton Brel. “You have the same choice with a laboratory requisition.” Even if the doctor writes out Quest Diagnostics or ECHN, any laboratory will honor the requisition, said Brel. That includes AffordaLAB, which provides those services at affordable rates.

“If you don't have insurance, you don't have to go to one of the main laboratories, because those laboratories are going to be more expensive,” Brel said.

All clients need to bring to AffordaLAB is the requisition from their physician. Blood is drawn at AffordaLAB, and then tested by an outside laboratory. “Results are usually back in a day, and the doctor's office is faxed the results,” said Dr. A. Radow, a board-certified pathologist at AffordaLAB.

Clients can make appoints ahead of time by calling, or visit during walk-in hours, which includes 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Payment is due at the time of visit, and they accept cash, check or credit card. “One reason we are able to keep costs down is we don't have a billing department,” said Brel. “You pay, you leave, your doctor gets your results, and that's it.”

AffordaLAB has locations in New Britain, Wethersfield and West Hartford. “We are very excited to join the Manchester community,” said Brel. “We know there are a lot of small businesses here, and we are trying to be a neighborhood laboratory. We realize that a lot of small business owners can't provide insurance for their employees, so we're happy to help out the whole community by offering them affordable healthcare.”

For more information or to contact AffordaLAB, call 860-640-0072 or visit www.affordalab.net.