? about FirstLab or drug testing...

lance197728 · Nov 14, 2008

Texas uses first lab too. For me its been every 2-3 weeks.

myownworstenemy · Nov 14, 2008

I am in your state and test with Firstlab also. Usually you will test 2 times a month and the test #'s that come up most often are 27.50 a piece. Mine are paid by credit card to Firstlab. Then there is the additional 20.00 collection fee that I pay cash for each time I go to my collection site to test. So usually twice monthly at 47.50 total per test.

longhornfan1 · Nov 14, 2008

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. :nurse:

sl33y · Nov 14, 2008

Thanks for the replies everyone!

jacksprat · Nov 15, 2008

I use First Lab in NC and I test about twice a month and the cost is $50 plus the testing fee at the lab.

Also to longhornfan1,it had been almost a month since I had been selected to test and I got worried so I called First Lab and sure enough there was a computer "glitch" and I had been kicked out of the system. You might want to check on this,

longhornfan1 · Nov 16, 2008

Thanks for the tip. I had already checked my online account and I am still listed as active. Will continue to follow up on this and thanks for the tip.

Nurseforatu · Nov 20, 2008

Yep, I'm in Texas as well. I get tested once a month usually. I know my CM was able to arrange for one of my peers to get a couple of complimentary forms until she could get back on her feet. It's all about communicating with your CM. In most cases if you're otherwise compliant with your program, they will try to help you out if they can.

sl33y · Nov 20, 2008

Thanks for all the replies!

I guess I'm looking at $100 - $150 per month. That sucks. I can't believe it costs almost as much to collect the specimen as it does for the lab to run it!

I worked in lab settings for ~7 years and all they do for IA tests is drop urine on a card, for pete's sake.....

Nurseforatu · Nov 20, 2008

Yes, Texas does too. In the beginning it was every 2-3 weeks but now I average about once a month, but TPAPN just switched from NCPS to Firstlab, so it may be more often now.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

It all depends on what's going on with your program. IF you are in Texas and you are NOT working yet, then mostly they will do it once a month. Once you get a job, they will do it twice a month. But don't take my word for it, they can do it however many times they want to.

sl33y · Nov 26, 2008

Quick update...

I have been tested twice in the past 5 days. Ugh. I don't think I will be able to keep my license - I don't have $300/month to spend on drug tests.

AND, trying to get a hold of my case manager is really disappointing. I leave messages and no one calls back.

This isn't looking to good for me, but whatever happens happens, right?