The laboratory will then generate a bill for the tests and services provided, typically based on a fee schedule that outlines the cost of each test or service. This bill may be sent to the healthcare provider, the patient, or a third-party payer such as an insurance company.
It's worth noting that laboratory billing can be quite complex, especially when dealing with insurance companies and government payers such as Medicare and Medicaid. Laboratories may need to comply with various regulations and billing codes, and may need to provide additional documentation to support their claims. As such, many laboratories have dedicated billing and coding staff to manage the process.