Q. What is the testing process?

A. Your healthcare provider will briefly swab the inside of your cheeks with two to four cotton swabs, place them in an envelope, and mail them to ALCALA Labs.  Alcala will use the material collected from your mouth to determine how you metabolize certain medications.  Results are reported back to your ordering healthcare provider within 5 to 7 business days.  Your healthcare provider will share your drug metabolism results with you and use your results to personalize your treatment.

Q. Why am I being tested?

A. Pharmacogenetic test results allow your healthcare provider to provide evidence-based, actionable, and personalized treatment plans for you.  With your ALCALA test results. Your provider can see how you metabolize certain medications and provide treatment accordingly, so that you receive the proper medication and dosage for your needs.

Q. Are my results confidential?

A. Yes, your results are confidential and are protected as part of your patient records in a HIPAA compliant manner.  Your ordering healthcare provider will communicate your pharmacogenetic test results directly to you.

Q. Who pays for the test?

A. Your provider is not involved in the billing process for the laboratory testing conducted by ALCALA.  ALCALA will bill your insurer directly.

Q. What if I don’t have insurance?

A. If you and your healthcare provider have decided that your treatment may benefit from pharmacogenetics testing, many plans reimburse for ALCALA tests.  In addition, ALCALA has created a Financial Assistance Program to help make testing accessible to patients regardless of their income level.

• Medicare – No out of pocket expense for individuals
• Medicare Advantage – (Medicare HMO) Co-pays & deductibles may apply
• Commercial or private insurance – Patient balance billing & Financial Assistance Program may apply
• Medicaid – Currently approved in select states
• Worker’s Compensation – No out-of-pocket patient expenses when pre-approved.
• Other governmental plans – For example Tricare, Veterans (VA) , etc. coverage varies.

1. Please provide your healthcare provider with your current insurance information.
2. You should receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your provider. The EOB is not a bill; it is an itemized explanation of the amount your insurance provider has covered for the ALCALA pharmacogenetics testing.
3. If your insurance provider denies the coverage for the claim or makes a partial payment, ALCALA’s billing department may file an appeal on your behalf.  If you receive a check for ALCALA from your insurance company, please endorse it and mail it immediately to:

ALCALA TESTING AND ANALYSIS SERVICES
3703 Camino Del Rio South
Suite 200
San Diego CA 92108

Or if you have billing questions after you have received your EOB please direct them to our billing department at (619) 450-5870 Ext 1.

If you receive a check for ALCALA from your insurance company and fail to mail it to the address above, ALCALA may send you to an outside collection agency.

4. If you have commercial or private insurance, you will receive an invoice from ALCALA, if there is a balance due, after the billing process for a co-payment, co-insurance or a deductible is completed.