Laboratory Tests, X-Rays, & Medical Procedures

Laboratory tests done as part of your visit to UHS are billed by one of three places – UHS, Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH), or the SMH Cytopathology Laboratory. For the majority of laboratory tests, the mandatory health fee does not cover the cost of testing. Laboratory tests may be covered by your health insurance, depending on your insurance coverage. If your bill is not completely covered by your insurance, you are responsible for the remaining balance.

If you have diagnostic laboratory tests or medical procedures (e.g., wart removal, biopsies, Pap smear, surgical procedures) performed during your visit, you will be charged separately for the laboratory test and/or procedure. It is a good idea to verify your coverage with your insurance company before receiving services. If you are enrolled in the UR Student Health insurance Plan (Aetna) for students, the UHS Insurance Advisors can assist you with questions about coverage. If you are enrolled in another plan, you should contact your insurance company for specifics about coverage.

Patients needing X-rays are referred to the Department of Radiology at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Notification of Results: You will be notified of your test results through UHSConnect, our secure messaging system, or in person during an appointment with your UHS primary care provider. Depending on the test, it could take up to two weeks for UHS to receive the results. If you are not registered for UHSConnect, you may want to register, so you can receive your electronically. If you would like to discuss the results, call 585-275-2662 to schedule an appointment with your primary care provide (PCP).

Insurance Coverage

TESTS BILLED BY THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICE: Tests include fingerstick glucose, leukocyte dipstick, urine pregnancy test, rapid mono test, and rapid strep test, stool guaiac, wet smear, chlamydia and GC cultures, and HIV tests.

Confidential billing is available for laboratory tests billed by UHS. With confidential billing, you pay the bill at UHS rather than having the bill submitted to your insurance company. Please speak with your primary care provider (PCP) or the receptionist if you would like to arrange for confidential billing.

UR Student Health insurance Plan (Aetna) through UHS:

• The bill will be submitted directly to the UR Student Health insurance Plan (Aetna). The plan covers laboratory tests in full.

Any Other Insurance Plan:

• We will submit the claim to your insurance company. Please contact your company directly for coverage details. You are responsible for any portion of the bill not covered by your insurance.

TESTS BILLED BY STRONG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (SMH): Tests include throat cultures, urinalysis/culture, and blood tests.

UR Student Health insurance Plan (Aetna) through UHS:

• Write your insurance information on the back of the bill that you receive from SMH (Strong Memorial Hospital).
• Mail the bill to SMH. Keep a copy for your records. Your insurance company will be billed.
• You are responsible for any portion of the bill not covered by your insurance plan.

Any Other Insurance Plan:

• If you receive a bill, put your insurance information on the bill and return it to the SMH Patient Financial Services Office.
• Call the number on the bill if you have questions.
• You are responsible for any portion of the bill not covered by your insurance plan.

TESTS BILLED BY THE SMH CYTOPATHOLOGY LAB: Tests include Pap smears. Note: All New York State insurance companies cover the cost of Pap smears. Insurance from other states might not.

Any New York State Insurance Plan:

• Write your subscriber number on the back of the bill and return it to the Cytopathology Lab. The address is on the bill.

Any Out-of-NY State Insurance Plan:

• Call the number of the bill to ask if they will accept your insurance. If they do, write your insurance information on the back of the bill and return it to the Cytopathology Lab. The address is on the bill.
• If they do not accept your insurance, send your payment with the bill to the Cytopathology Lab. You can submit the copy of the bill to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.