Survey: Patients Push for Predictive Lab Testing as Cost and Reimbursement Pressures Mount
Nearly 90% of patients express interest in predictive lab tests, according to a new national survey—creating new opportunities and challenges for clinical laboratories navigating consumer demand, data fragmentation, and Medicare payment cuts.
A new national survey of 1,000 US patients points to a significant shift in how consumers view diagnostic testing—one that has direct implications for clinical laboratories navigating financial pressure, patient engagement, and changing care models.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by Siemens Healthineers, found that patients increasingly expect greater control over when and why lab tests are ordered. Among adults who have had lab work in the past two years, 93% said they expect their physician to order a test upon request. More than a third (37%) have asked for testing based on information from personal research, such as advice from family, friends, or online sources, and 17% have made requests influenced by social media content. For lab leaders, the data signal a move away from strictly symptom-driven, clinician-initiated testing toward more consumer-driven demand.
Patients Push for Predictive Testing, Testing Provider Authority
Interest in predictive and proactive testing is especially high. Nearly nine in 10 respondents (89%) said they are interested in lab tests that can help predict future health risks. That interest is already translating into action: 27% of patients reported pursuing blood testing from a trusted lab provider out of curiosity, without a physician’s recommendation. Another 22% said they had used at-home or self-tests—such as genetic, fertility, or hormone tests—out of curiosity. While self-testing remains less common than lab-based bloodwork, the trend underscores a growing appetite for earlier insights into health status.
Despite this increased autonomy, trust in clinicians remains strong, though not absolute. While 95% of respondents said they trust their provider to order the most appropriate tests, that confidence drops when a requested test is declined. Thirteen percent said they do not trust their doctor’s guidance if advised against a test they asked for, highlighting a delicate balance for providers and laboratories as patient satisfaction and evidence-based medicine increasingly intersect.
“It’s clear: patients want more control over their health and information about their health earlier,” said Michele Zwickl, head of laboratory solutions for Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers North America. (Photo credit: Siemens Healthineers)
Data Gaps and Cost Pressures Challenge Labs
The survey also raises concerns about data fragmentation. Nearly half (49%) of patients who pursued testing out of curiosity said they did not share their results with a healthcare provider. Additionally, 20% reported they would not disclose to their doctor if they had followed medical advice from social media. For laboratories, this lack of transparency can complicate result interpretation, particularly when undisclosed supplements, diets, or alternative therapies may influence lab values.
Cost remains a major fault line. While many patients are willing to pay out of pocket for elective or curiosity-driven testing, affordability remains a barrier for essential care. Among respondents with unpaid medical bills, 52% said their debt included unpaid lab testing fees. Still, patients clearly value laboratory diagnostics: 98% said lab results provide meaningful health insights, and 94% reported they are more likely to follow a physician’s advice when it is supported by test results. Notably, patients are far less willing to delay bloodwork due to cost than other services—only 5% would postpone lab tests, compared with 22% who would delay imaging.
These expectations come as laboratories face mounting reimbursement pressure. Upcoming Medicare payment cuts of up to 15% for roughly 800 tests, combined with prior reductions under PAMA affecting 72% of commonly used assays, threaten to widen the gap between patient demand and lab capacity. Industry leaders warn that continued cuts could stifle innovation and limit access. Legislative efforts such as the RESULTS Act are gaining attention as potential mechanisms to stabilize reimbursement and preserve testing access.
For lab leaders, success will hinge on aligning growing patient demand for access and insight with operational and financial sustainability.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
—Janette Wider
