Sentara Health Plans and Quest Diagnostics Partner to Expand Lab Access in Southeast

Overview of the Deal:
Quest Diagnostics and Sentara Health Plans have entered into a multi-year collaboration to improve access to affordable and high-quality lab testing for Sentara’s health plan members. Starting January 1, 2025, Quest will become the exclusive provider of clinical laboratory and pathology services for Sentara Health Plans, covering members in Virginia and Florida, including those under AvMed, Sentara’s Florida-serving business.

Details of the Partnership:
The collaboration aims to increase lab service availability, particularly by expanding Quest’s patient service centers in areas where access is currently limited. In addition, Sentara and Quest will explore ways to educate members and providers on the benefits of using Quest’s services instead of more expensive, out-of-network labs. Both companies share the goal of improving healthcare access and reducing costs for members in the Southeast.

Impact and Synergies:
Sentara Health Plans sees this partnership as a way to offer its members innovative, affordable lab services. Quest is recognized for helping health plans lower healthcare costs while ensuring quality services. By partnering with Quest, Sentara hopes to improve care for its members, especially in Virginia, where Quest’s presence has been more limited until now.