Re: ? about FirstLab or drug testing...
It is designed to be "Random". I am in the Texas program and they just switched to firstlab. I have been in the program a while and initially was tested 3 times a month at $55 each time. It has been over a month since my last test and the new program is set up differently. They sent me 20 COC forms and will bill my credit card each month on the 15th for the labs that are used. They are also going to honor the old COC's until Jan 1. So I shouldn't even get charged until maybe mid January. Also, the "random" part is subject to change based on your case managers input. I went out of state last year for 2 weeks and the nearest testing facility was over 90 miles away and it was snowing making travel dangerous. I covered all my bases before I spoke with my CM, giving her the location info on the nearest lab, phone number to the highway patrol to verify travel restrictions, even gave her the website for the local news station for weather updates. I called daily, had my COC's with me and was prepared to drive almost 4 hours round trip in hazardous conditions to remain compliant. Never got called. But I was tested the day after I got back. Funny how it was so "RANDOM". It was so much trouble and took alot of effort but these are the consequences of the choices I made to get me here. Call your CM and talk to her about your $$ issues. Mine was very understanding since I was in school full time and not working. Only got tested once a month the whole time I was finishing school. I will say on a personal note, I don't like the new lady who is the FirstLab rep for the TPAPN program. She is rude and nasty on the phone and you can tell she is judgmental by the tone of her voice. I liked the rep from LabCorp better. Very nice, polite and professional. Good luck. IM me if you want more info.
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