This page shares health and self-advocacy resources I personally use, depending on the situation. These tools support education, informed conversations, and patient advocacy. They are not for self-diagnosis or treatment, but to help you better understand your health data, reduce barriers to care, and work collaboratively with your healthcare provider.
Different situations call for different tools. The resources below reflect the most common situations I see.
A quick guide to choosing the right resource:
No lab order yet → Ulta Labs
Lab order already written → Laboratory Assist
Need imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray) → Radiology Assist
Need help beyond medical care → findhelp.org
When I order my own lab work, this is the service I use.
Ulta Lab Tests is a self-pay lab testing service that allows you to order many common blood tests online without a physician visit. After ordering through their website, testing is completed at a local Quest Diagnostics location. There are no surprise lab bills afterward.
One of the biggest advantages of self-pay lab testing is cost. Ulta Lab Tests is often up to 80% cheaper than standard pricing through large lab companies or insurance-based testing.
I use lab results as informational tools. They are not medical diagnoses.
Access to lab data can support better conversations with your healthcare provider and help guide appropriate next steps.
Ulta Lab testing may be helpful if you:
Are paying out of pocket for healthcare
Are between providers or waiting for appointments
Want access to your own health data
Prefer transparent, upfront pricing
Use lab results to support informed discussions with a provider
After ordering labs online, testing is completed at a local Quest Diagnostics location. Self-pay labs are not a substitute for medical care and should always be reviewed with a qualified healthcare professional.
Self-ordered lab testing isn’t the right fit for everyone.
In some cases, your provider may have already ordered labs, but cost is the main barrier to getting them done.
Another lab testing resource I recommend is Laboratory Assist.
Laboratory Assist is designed for people who already have a lab order from their healthcare provider but want access to significantly reduced self-pay pricing. This can be especially helpful for uninsured or underinsured patients who are facing high out-of-pocket lab costs.
With Laboratory Assist, you do not order tests independently. Instead, you use your existing provider’s lab order and pay a discounted self-pay rate before completing testing at a participating lab location.
This resource can be a good option if your provider has already ordered labs but cost is a barrier to completing testing.
This is a different option than self-ordered lab testing and can be especially useful when a physician is already involved in your care plan.
Laboratory Assist may be useful if you:
Already have a lab order from your healthcare provider
Are uninsured or underinsured
Are facing high out-of-pocket lab costs
Want transparent, upfront self-pay pricing
Need to complete ordered labs at a lower cost
As with all lab testing, results should always be reviewed with your healthcare provider.
Laboratory Assist does not provide medical advice and does not replace healthcare services. A valid lab order from a licensed healthcare provider is required to use this service.
I do not receive compensation for sharing this resource. I include it because it can significantly reduce barriers to completing provider-ordered lab work.
This resource is specific to imaging studies such as MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound.
Another resource I’ve personally used and found helpful is Radiology Assist.
Radiology Assist helps people access low-cost imaging services like MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound, especially for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Unlike some imaging services, you do not need to already have an imaging order. Radiology Assist can issue an imaging order after you complete a short medical questionnaire, which can remove a major barrier for people who are stuck waiting for appointments or referrals.
I’ve personally used Radiology Assist to obtain significantly reduced-cost MRI imaging, including brain and spine studies, without going through my personal physician first.
They also offer financial assistance and grant programs for individuals who cannot afford even their reduced self-pay pricing.
This resource can be especially helpful when imaging is needed, but cost, insurance, or access delays are standing in the way.
Health advocacy includes both understanding your data and recognizing when health challenges extend beyond lab results.
Sometimes the biggest barriers to well-being are practical ones.
I do not receive compensation for sharing findhelp.org. I include it here because it is a genuinely helpful resource I trust and often suggest when people ask where to start.
Self-advocacy isn’t only about lab work. Sometimes it’s about knowing where to find help when you or your family need support beyond the medical system.
I often recommend this resource when someone is feeling overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start.
findhelp.org is a free, confidential directory that connects people to local support services based on ZIP code. It can help you locate assistance for things like food, housing, utilities, transportation, medical costs, caregiving support, mental health resources, and more.
This is not a medical service, and it does not replace healthcare. It is a practical tool for navigating real-life needs that often impact health, stress levels, and overall well-being. It can be especially helpful when health challenges are tied to financial or social stressors.
findhelp.org may be useful if you or someone you care for:
Needs help covering basic living expenses
Is caring for a family member or aging loved one
Is between jobs, insurance, or providers
Is feeling overwhelmed by navigating available assistance
Wants to explore community-based support options
Using available support services is not a failure. It’s a form of informed self-advocacy.
Disclosure :
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use or feel confident recommending.
