The essential documents to bring are your doctor’s request form and your medical aid card. For insurance screening or paternity tests, photographic identification (such as a driver's license or SA identity card/book) is required to confirm your identity at the time of collection.

Most tests do not require fasting. However, specific tests such as fasting cholesterol or glucose require an 8 -12 hour fast. You may drink water and take prescribed medication unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. We generally recommend fasting from 22:00 and arriving at the laboratory for collection before 09:00.

If you are unsure, please contact your nearest Care Centre the day before your test.

Continue taking chronic medication unless advised otherwise by your doctor. Inform your doctor about any medication or supplements you are using, especially new ones, as they may affect your results.

Most tests require a doctor's request for interpretation. However, certain tests, such as general health screenings, cancer screenings, vitamin level tests, pregnancy-related tests, allergy testing, immunity screenings, and substance abuse tests, can be requested without a doctor’s form. Note that these tests will not include a doctor’s interpretation.

‍Visit your nearest Ampath Care Centre for more information.

For certain tests, such as urine, stool, or sputum analysis, you can collect the sample at home using the container provided. Some samples must be collected at specific times of the day. Please confirm the quantity and the timing of the collection with your Care Centre.

For certain tests, such as urine, stool, or sputum analysis, you can collect the sample at home using the container provided. Some samples must be collected at specific times of the day. Please confirm the quantity and the timing of the collection with your Care Centre.

Yes, our phlebotomists are trained to collect samples from children of all ages.

Routine tests do not require appointments. However, specialised tests, such as spermiograms, glucose tolerance tests, short medical examinations, skin prick allergy tests, and bone marrow tests may need scheduling. Your doctor will advise if an appointment is necessary.

Your closest Ampath Care Centre (depot) can be found here.

Results vary by test. Urgent, life-threatening results are sent ASAP; others are released once final results are available. Specialised tests, such as microbiology, may take longer.

‍Ask your doctor or the Ampath nursing staff for specific turnaround times.

Yes, results can be collected from your doctor or the Ampath Care Centre. Alternatively, they are available via the Ampath App or WhatsApp. Certain tests, such as histology samples, require a doctor’s interpretation and will not be accessible through these platforms.

If you have medical aid, your account will be sent to them for payment. Some tests may require a co-payment. Unpaid balances will be billed to you. If you are not covered or your plan doesn’t include pathology tests, you will need to pay upfront.

Non-members will receive a quote, and it must be paid immediately, to qualify for a 20% discount.

Medical aids use ICD-10 codes to determine coverage for your condition. If the condition qualifies as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB), specific pathology tests may be covered.

PMBs ensure medical aid members have access to essential healthcare services for certain conditions, regardless of plan type. Some tests are covered under PMB benefits rather than medical savings.

Certain medical aids pay for specific screening tests, including:
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- Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear or HPV test)
- Colon cancer screening (Faecal occult blood test)
- Prostate cancer screening (PSA test)

Consult your medical aid for available screenings.

Certain medical aids pay for certain laboratory screening tests e.g:
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-Cervical Cancer Screening (Papsmear or HPV testing)
-Colon (Bowel) Cancer Screening (Faecal Occult Blood tests)
-PSA testing (men)

Consult your medical aid for a list of screening tests you qualify for.

Request forms do not expire. However, some are updated annually in February. Check with your Care Centre to ensure that you have the most recent version.

Yes, we can process tests requested by another laboratory if your doctor (or the doctor that you want results sent to) is registered on our system.

Confirm via WhatsApp or by calling Ampath’s Customer Services.

Yes, in selected locations, with a call-out fee. Contact your nearest Ampath Care Centre for more information.