Lab
Laboratory Services
At Idaho Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center, our on-site laboratory is an important part of your rheumatology care. Instead of driving to a separate facility, waiting in long lines, or delaying treatment due to missing labs, you can complete everything right here in the clinic. Our lab team works hand-in-hand with your provider to make sure you receive fast, accurate results and a smoother overall care experience.
Rheumatology care relies heavily on laboratory testing. Whether you are being diagnosed, starting a new medication, or monitoring a long-term treatment plan, labs help your provider understand what’s happening inside your body and make timely decisions about your health.
By keeping our lab on-site, you benefit from:
• Convenient same-day testing
• Direct communication between your provider and the lab
• Faster turnaround times for the tests your care depends on
• Better coordination when medication adjustments or safety checks are needed
• Fewer trips and fewer delays, especially for patients receiving infusions, starting DMARDs, or managing autoimmune conditions
In short, your rheumatology team has immediate access to the information they need — and you spend less time waiting.
Our laboratory is equipped to support the unique needs of rheumatology patients, including:
Comprehensive Rheumatologic Testing
We perform bloodwork for many of the most important markers in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including:
• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
• Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
• Anti-CCP antibodies
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
• HLA-B27 and other autoimmune markers
These tests help identify patterns of inflammation, autoimmune activity, and disease progression.
Ongoing Medication Monitoring
Many rheumatology medications — such as methotrexate, leflunomide, JAK inhibitors, and biologic therapies — require routine bloodwork to make sure they remain safe and effective. Our lab provides:
• Kidney and liver function testing
• Blood count monitoring
• Infection screening
• Baseline labs before starting new medications
• Regular follow-up labs to ensure medications are working safely
Safety Testing Before and During Treatment
Before starting treatment, your provider may order tests to check for infections or conditions that must be monitored closely, such as:
• Tuberculosis screening
• Hepatitis testing
• Immunity or vaccine-related titers
• Other condition-specific safety labs
Having these tests done on-site helps remove barriers to starting or continuing necessary care.
Seamless Infusion Support
For patients receiving infusion therapy in our clinic, our lab works closely with the infusion team to:
• Complete pre-infusion labs
• Confirm safety markers before medication is administered
• Monitor lab trends if you are on long-term infusion therapy
• Ensure results reach your provider and infusion nurse quickly
This coordination helps keep your infusion schedule running smoothly without unnecessary rescheduling or delays.
Our lab professionals are trained to support the specific needs of rheumatology patients. They work directly with your provider to:
• Clarify orders
• Communicate abnormal or time-sensitive results
• Ensure same-day or next-day results when possible
• Track required monitoring schedules for long-term medications
• Reduce unnecessary repeat testing
This collaboration helps your provider make informed decisions faster and reduces the administrative burden on you.
We strive to make your laboratory experience comfortable and efficient. Patients can expect:
• Friendly, experienced phlebotomists
• Low wait times
• Respect for needle sensitivities or special accommodations
• Coordination with your appointment or infusion, when possible
Most patients are able to complete their labs within minutes.
Frequently non-covered labs
Some laboratory tests are commonly ordered in rheumatology but are not always covered by insurance. Patients should be aware that they may be financially responsible for these services if their insurance plan denies payment.
Examples of labs that are frequently not covered include:
• Vitamin D
• Hepatitis Panel
• QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT)
When one of these tests is ordered, patients may be asked to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). An ABN is a form that explains the test being ordered, the possibility that it may not be covered, and the patient’s responsibility for payment if insurance denies coverage. Signing an ABN ensures patients understand the potential costs before the lab is performed.
We order these labs only when they are clinically important for diagnosis or treatment monitoring. Our staff can help answer questions and provide cost information when available.
You will need to download and sign the two forms below. Simply click on the links and download the PDF. Thank you.
• Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)
• Notice of Noncoverage (Commercial)
Get In Touch Today!
Idaho Arthritis Center is a physician-owned, independent Rheumatology practice where we provide the most advanced yet cost-effective care for our rheumatology patients, including in-office Infusion Therapy.
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