Thank you for your question. In regard to testing done in health departments vs. testing done in doctors offices, they are the exact same tests, and the specimens are often tested in the exact same labs. So there is no difference in the test itself in regard to going to the doctors office vs. a health department. However, there are 3 differences between going to the health department and the doctors office.
Health departments are usually substantially cheaper.
Sometimes insurance companies may be able to get test results through a doctors office's medical records. Insurance companies usually do NOT have access to medical records at the health department. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material. Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice,opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum.