Reference Laboratory FAQs

 Thank you for your interest in submitting a sample or case to SHC Reference Laboratory for testing or further review. Please note that we require a Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Agreement in order to test or review each patient submission.

To be set up as a new client and initiate the contracting process, please submit a Laboratory Testing Intake Form. We will review your request and follow up via email.

Please send all additional inquiries to: ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org

The shipping address will vary per testing subspeciality. Please kindly visit the subspecialty specific page to confirm where the specimen or case should be shipped.

SHC Reference Laboratory only performs testing services on human-derived specimens. Animal specimens of any type are not accepted for testing, including but not limited to animal tissue, blood, serum, plasma, urine, stool, swabs, body fluids, cells, microbiology cultures, and other specimens collected from non-human species. Please contact a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for testing of animal specimens.

Digital copies of all test requisition forms can be found on the Test Requisitions page. You may download and print the desired Test Requisition Form.

SHC Reference Laboratory only provides laboratory supplies for supplies that are required to run on our instruments. In addition to individual supplies, we also offer collection kits for renal pathology, muscle and nerve pathology and other esoteric testing that may require non-standard materials for collection. Please contact ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org to enquire about collection supplies.

SHC Reference Laboratory offers courier services to transport specimens within a specified region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Please send all inquiries to: ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org

SHC Reference Laboratory’s standard practice is to bill all charges to the referring Provider or Facility. To inquire if your Facility is eligible for this 3rd party billing, please contact: ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org.

SHC Reference Laboratory cannot bill patient or third-party insurance for pathology consultation services. SHC only provides institutional billing for pathology consultation services. All charges must be billed to the requesting institution (such as a hospital, clinic, or health system).

SHC Reference Laboratory accepts specific insurance types; please see additional information here: Health Insurance Plans | Stanford Health Care. We recommend confirming insurance coverage directly with the patient’s insurance company.

Please complete the Laboratory Testing Intake Form to discuss your specific interest. We will review the requested testing services and follow up with an email response.