As the calendar transitions from 2025 to 2026, many individuals are establishing resolutions to adopt a healthier lifestyle. If you’re among those seeking to improve your well-being, consider RiverView Health’s Direct Laboratory Access (DLA) program.
DLA is available to anyone who wants to monitor their lab values between regular visits to their primary care provider. For example, you may wish to check your glucose or cholesterol levels at the beginning of the year, then retest a few months later to see whether your recent lifestyle changes are positively impacting your results. Additionally, if you discover that your insurance or Medicare does not cover a specific screening test, you can choose to pay for it out-of-pocket through the DLA program.
While the DLA program is not a substitute for annual check-ups or other acute visits, it offers a valuable opportunity to take a more proactive role in your health care decisions by allowing you to select laboratory tests from an available menu.
The following tests are offered through RiverView’s DLA program:
- Blood Type, $25
- Cholesterol, $12; cholesterol is a fat-like substance manufactured by your body to make cell membranes and hormones. When cholesterol levels are elevated, arteries can become clogged or narrowed.
- Lipid Panel (12-hour fast), $30; panel includes cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and calculated LDL. These measurements can provide more comprehensive diagnostic information for the determination of cardiac disease.
- Glucose, $10; this blood sugar provides the body with energy. An abnormally high glucose level may indicate diabetes. An abnormally low glucose result may indicate hypoglycemia.
- Hemoglobin, $10; hemoglobin is the molecule responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells. Low hemoglobin may indicate anemia, chronic bleeding, or iron deficiency. Elevated hemoglobin may indicate bone marrow disease, chronic lung disease, heart disease, or thyroid disease.
- Pregnancy Test (blood or urine), $16
- Colorectal Cancer Screening, $20; tests for hidden blood in stool. This test requires three stool specimens collected over at least three days. Dietary restrictions apply.
- Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA), $40; a screening test for prostate cancer.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), $30; this is a hormone in the blood that stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete hormones. TSH is used to determine if thyroid disease is present.
- Triglyceride (12-hour fast), $12; triglycerides are fat-like substances that may increase your risk of heart disease.
- Protime/INR, $20; used to monitor anti-clotting medications such as Coumadin, which must be carefully monitored to prevent clots or excess bleeding.
- Hemoglobin A1C, $15; a measure of diabetes control over the previous two to three months.
Payments can be made using cash, check, or credit/debit card.
Test results are available in MyChart, allowing both the patient and their primary care provider to review them. Patients can also choose to pick up their results or have them mailed. If any results are abnormal, they will be evaluated by a provider, and if necessary, a letter of explanation will be sent to the patient.
To schedule a DLA appointment at the lab of your choice, call: 281-9595 in Crookston; 945-6695 in Fertile; or 253-4606 in Red Lake Falls. While appointments are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome in Crookston on weekdays from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and on weekends from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please register at the main registration desk.
