A lab requisition form is a document that authorizes a laboratory to perform specific tests on a patient’s specimen. It contains everything the lab needs to identify the patient, run the correct tests, and send results back to the right provider. Whether it’s a paper form handed to you at a doctor’s office or an electronic order placed through a hospital’s records system, the requisition is what connects your doctor’s request to the actual lab work.
What’s on a Lab Requisition Form
Every requisition captures the same core information, regardless of the lab or format. The required fields typically include:
- Patient details: full name, date of birth, sex, phone number, and home address
- Ordering provider: the physician’s or clinician’s name and National Provider Identifier (NPI), a unique 10-digit number that identifies them in the healthcare system
- Tests ordered: the specific lab tests being requested, often marked by checkboxes on printed forms
- Diagnosis information: a description of why the test is needed, either written out or coded using standardized ICD-10 diagnosis codes
- Specimen details: the type of sample (blood, urine, swab), the source of the specimen for certain tests like microbiology or Pap smears, and the date and time it was collected
- Billing and insurance information: the patient’s insurance plan, policy number, policyholder name, and address
Some forms include additional fields for specific situations. A 24-hour urine collection, for example, requires the total volume recorded on the form. Certain kidney function tests also need your height and weight.
Why the Diagnosis Code Matters
The diagnosis field on a requisition isn’t just a formality. It serves two purposes: it tells the lab why the test is being ordered (which can affect how they interpret results), and it determines whether your insurance will pay for it. Labs and providers use ICD-10 codes, a standardized system required for all Medicare and insurance billing claims since the Affordable Care Act. If the diagnosis code doesn’t match a condition that justifies the test, the claim can be denied and you may end up with an unexpected bill. Your doctor’s office handles this coding, but if you’re ever asked to review your requisition, it’s worth confirming the listed reason matches what your provider discussed with you.
Priority Levels: STAT, ASAP, and Routine
Requisition forms include a priority marker that tells the lab how fast to process your tests. The three standard levels have very different turnaround expectations.
STAT orders are reserved for emergencies where a patient could be at risk of losing life, limb, or organ function. Labs aim to report STAT results within 60 minutes of collecting the specimen. ASAP orders are a step below, with results typically available within one to two hours. Routine orders, which cover the vast majority of outpatient lab work, have a standard turnaround of about four hours, though many results are available sooner. Tests sent to outside reference labs or tests that are processed in batches take longer regardless of priority.
Paper Forms vs. Electronic Orders
The traditional workflow for lab requisitions involves paper. Historically, orders moved between clinics and labs through fax, mail, or dedicated phone lines. A provider fills out a paper form, attaches it to the specimen, and sends both to the lab. Results come back the same way and then have to be manually entered into the patient’s chart, a process that introduces delays and the risk of data-entry errors.
Many healthcare systems now use electronic ordering through their medical records software. When a provider places a lab order electronically, the patient information, test selections, specimen details, and other key fields are transmitted directly to the laboratory’s information system. The order gets assigned a unique tracking number, and a printed requisition is still generated to travel with the physical specimen. The major advantage is that results flow back into your medical record automatically, eliminating the lag time and transcription errors of paper-based reporting.
Without this electronic connection, clinic staff often have to enter the same order information in two places: once in the patient’s chart and again in the lab’s separate online ordering portal. Lab stakeholders consistently identify this redundant data entry as a significant source of human error.
Fasting and Preparation Instructions
Many requisition forms include or reference preparation instructions for the patient. The most common is fasting. For tests like cholesterol panels, triglycerides, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, and iron studies, you’ll typically need to avoid eating, drinking (except small sips of water), and chewing gum for at least 8 to 12 hours before your blood draw. Glucose tolerance tests and some other metabolic panels may require a full 12 to 16 hours of fasting. If you’re diabetic, the fasting window is generally capped at 8 hours. Alcohol should be avoided for 24 hours before collection.
Your requisition form may also specify the specimen type required for each test, whether that’s a standard blood draw, a urine sample, a stool sample, or a swab. If you’re doing a timed urine collection at home, you’ll need to record the total volume on the form before submitting it to the lab.
Insurance and Prior Authorization
The billing section of a requisition form captures your insurance details so the lab can submit claims directly. For most routine blood work, this is straightforward. But certain expensive or specialized tests may require prior authorization, a process where your provider submits documentation to your insurer proving the test is medically necessary before the lab runs it. If authorization isn’t obtained in advance, the insurer can deny the claim.
Prior authorization doesn’t change what medical documentation is needed. It simply moves the review earlier in the process, giving your provider a provisional confirmation that the test will be covered before the specimen is even collected. This helps avoid surprise denials after the fact.
Can You Order Lab Tests Without a Doctor
In some states, yes. Direct access testing (DAT) allows individuals to request lab tests without a physician’s order. Where it’s permitted, you can walk into a participating lab, choose your tests, and pay out of pocket. However, state laws vary significantly on this. Some states don’t allow direct access testing at all, and others place restrictions on which tests are available. Federal lab regulations still require that every non-waived test have a written or electronic request from an “authorized person,” which is defined by each state’s law. If you’re considering ordering your own labs, check whether your state permits it and whether results will be reviewed by a licensed provider.
How Long a Requisition Stays Valid
Lab requisitions don’t last forever, though there’s no single national rule on expiration. Most labs and providers treat requisitions as valid for 6 to 12 months, depending on the test and the clinical context. The logic tracks with how quickly lab values change: a blood glucose result is most commonly re-tested at intervals of about 1 day, 3 months, or 6 months depending on the clinical situation. An HbA1c test, used to monitor long-term blood sugar control, is typically repeated every 84 to 90 days. If you’ve been sitting on a lab requisition for several months, it’s worth checking with your provider’s office to confirm it’s still valid before showing up at the lab.