Blood sampling with or without a prescription: what’s the difference? And what suits you?

A blood test is a quick and easy way to get a first impression of your general health. In Belgium, this can be done in two ways: through the (family) physician with a prescription, or directly without a prescription through a private service such as Testmijnbloed.

In this blog, we clearly explain the difference so you can better understand which option is best for your situation.

A doctor determines which tests are needed

With a conventional blood test, you first consult your family doctor or specialist. He or she decides which blood values need to be examined on the basis of your symptoms or medical history. So you will always receive a specific and medically based prescription according to your complaints or necessity after consultation and possible clinical examination.

The sampling location

The family doctor or specialist may take the blood themselves at the practice (possibly done by an assistant who is present at the practice at set times) or sometimes they will refer you to the blood collection department at a hospital near you.

Results through COZO and follow-up by your doctor

Lab results are automatically forwarded to your doctor (even if they were taken at the blood collection service in a hospital outside your doctor’s practice) and are available through the CoZo digital platform. All results are always included in your medical record.

You can request the results from your doctor, and he or she will review and interpret the results and discuss them with you. So you get immediate medical interpretation and advice.

Partial reimbursement through NIHDI

You pay only the co-payment (the part that is not reimbursed). The rest is reimbursed through the Belgian NIHDI system provided you are legally residing in Belgium and are affiliated with a Belgian health insurance fund (mutualité).

Summary

• Blood test after consultation with your (family) physician or specialist
• Interpretation by physician
• Results via COZO
• Partial reimbursement (if you are affiliated with a Belgian health insurance fund)

You choose your own blood test

On our website you choose a blood test that best suits your current needs. This can be done preventively.

For complaints requiring medical follow-up, we still recommend contacting a (family) physician or specialist for proper follow-up. Test my blood does not provide medical follow-up or clinical trials.

The takeaway and locations

The collection is provided by a medical professional. This can be performed by an MLT (medical laboratory technologist) or a nurse. They have training in blood sampling and do it daily making them experts in this field.

The sample just like a prescription blood draw is analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Test mine blood is a collaboration with the lab at AZ Delta. Samples are expertly processed by the clinical biologists and physicians of the lab.

Test mine blood currently has 4 different locations: Roeselare, Edegem (Antwerp region), Wezembeek-Oppem (Brussels region) and Halen (Limburg region). When making an appointment via the website, the different appointment options will be shown within the current opening hours of the locations.

Results directly in your hands

You will receive your results digitally via email in a secure PDF document with lab report and reference values. The interpretation is not done in consultation with a physician, but the report is provided with a decision by the physician and/or clinical biologist on duty in the lab, simplifying the interpretation for you.

Full cost for own account

Because the examination was undertaken on your own initiative, there will be no intervention by your health insurance fund. You pay for the test in full on the day of taking it. Cost prices are always transparently communicated prior to the appointment on the website and repeated while booking the appointment. You do not have to worry about additional bills or invoices.

Summary

• no medical prescription required, choose from options on offer
• quick and accessible testing
• email results
• interpretation on the report by the physician and/or clinical biologist of guard in the lab
• no refund

Choose with prescription if you:

• Have complaints that require medical examination
• need follow-up from a physician
• wants right to reimbursement

Choose without a prescription if you:

• Want to check your health preventively
• Want to gain quick and independent insight into your blood values
• Want to have an examination performed without it being recorded in your medical record or CoZo
• are not yet or no longer affiliated with a Belgian health insurance fund, but still want to enjoy the quality of the Belgian health care system
• need an investigation for court
  • such as, for example, a test for the review or lifting of a driving ban (Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act)