How to Change or Cancel a Quest Diagnostics Appointment

You can change your Quest appointment online, by phone, or in person — the fastest route depends on how soon you need the change

Quest Diagnostics lets you reschedule or cancel most appointments through their online portal, by calling the location directly, or by walking in before your scheduled time. The method that works fastest depends on when you need the change and whether you have your appointment confirmation handy. Online changes usually take seconds; phone calls may have a wait, especially during morning hours when most people book lab work.

If you booked through the Quest website or their mobile app, you can log back in and modify the appointment yourself without talking to anyone. If you booked by phone or in person, or if you're not sure which method you used, calling the lab location directly is usually quickest — they can see your record on their system and move you to a new time slot right away.

Key Takeaways

• Log into your Quest account online or through the mobile app to reschedule or cancel if you booked that way — changes take effect immediately.
• Call the specific Quest location where you have your appointment; the main customer service line can transfer you, but the location itself can change your slot faster.
• Walk into the lab before your appointment time to reschedule in person, though this works best if you're not in a rush.
• Cancellations made 24 hours or more before your appointment time usually have no penalty; last-minute cancellations may affect your ability to book future appointments at that location.
• If you need lab work done urgently after cancelling, ask the staff whether you can reschedule for the same day or the next morning.

Rescheduling through your Quest online account

If you created a Quest account when you booked your appointment, you can log in at quest.com or use the Quest Diagnostics mobile app to change your time. Click on "Appointments" or "My Appointments" — the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app — and you'll see your upcoming lab visits listed with dates and times.

Select the appointment you want to change and look for a "Reschedule" or "Change" button. You'll then see available time slots at that same location for the next several weeks. Pick a new date and time, confirm the change, and you're done. The system updates immediately, and you'll receive a confirmation email or text message (depending on how you set up your account) with your new appointment details.

This method works only if you booked online or through the app originally. If you booked by phone or at a lab location, your appointment may not appear in the online portal, and you'll need to call or visit in person instead.

Calling the Quest location to change your appointment

Find the phone number for the specific Quest location where you have your appointment — you can search by zip code at quest.com or look at your appointment confirmation email or text message, which usually includes the location's direct number. Calling the lab itself is faster than calling Quest's main customer service line, because the staff at your location can see your record immediately and check real-time availability.

Have your appointment confirmation number or date of birth ready when you call. Tell the staff member you want to reschedule and give them your preferred new date and time. They'll check what's open and move you to a new slot. If your preferred time is fully booked, they can suggest alternatives or put you on a waitlist for a cancellation.

Call during off-peak hours if you can — early morning (before 7 a.m.) and late afternoon (after 4 p.m.) usually have shorter waits than mid-morning, when most people call to book or change appointments.

Walking in to reschedule at the lab

You can walk into any Quest location and ask to reschedule your appointment in person. This works well if you're already nearby or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face, but it's slower than calling or using the online portal because you have to wait for a staff member to be available.

Bring your appointment confirmation (email, text, or printed copy) or be ready to provide your date of birth and the date of your current appointment. The staff will look up your record, show you available times, and book you into a new slot on the spot. You'll receive a new confirmation before you leave.

What happens if you cancel instead of reschedule

If you need to cancel rather than move your appointment to a different time, the same three methods apply: online, by phone, or in person. When you cancel, Quest typically asks whether you want to reschedule later or cancel completely. Choose "cancel" only if you're sure you don't need the lab work, because cancelling and then rebooking takes longer than rescheduling directly.

Cancellations made at least 24 hours before your appointment time usually don't affect your account. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, some locations may flag your account, and you might face a wait time before you can book your next appointment at that location. This policy varies by location, so ask the staff when you cancel if you're concerned about future bookings.

Rescheduling when your doctor ordered the lab work

If your doctor or healthcare provider ordered your Quest lab work through their office, you may be able to reschedule through the provider's patient portal instead of Quest directly. Check whether your doctor's office has an online portal where you can view and manage lab appointments — many do, and it's often the fastest route.

If your doctor's portal doesn't show the appointment or doesn't let you change it, call your doctor's office and ask them to contact Quest on your behalf. Some providers prefer to manage appointment changes themselves rather than having patients call the lab directly. Your doctor's staff can also confirm whether the lab work is still needed or whether the order has expired.

What to do if you need the lab work done urgently

If you cancelled your appointment but still need the lab work done soon, ask the Quest staff whether they have same-day or next-morning availability before you leave. Many Quest locations hold a small number of same-day slots for urgent situations, though availability varies by location and time of day.

If your location is fully booked, ask whether a nearby Quest location has earlier availability. Quest's system can usually see appointments across multiple locations in your area, and staff can often move you to a different lab if it gets you in faster. You may also ask your doctor's office whether they can order the lab work through a different lab network if speed is critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment the day before or the day of?

Yes, you can reschedule right up until your appointment time, either online or by calling the location. However, same-day or next-day availability is limited and depends on how busy that location is. Call early in the morning for the best chance of finding an open slot.

What if I don't have my confirmation number?

You don't need it. Provide your date of birth and the date and time of your current appointment, and the staff can pull up your record. If you booked online, you can also log into your Quest account and find the appointment that way.

Will rescheduling affect my lab results or my doctor's order?

No. Rescheduling just moves your appointment to a new time. Your doctor's order remains active, and your results will be sent to your doctor's office as planned once you complete the lab work.

What if the location I need is completely booked?

Ask the staff whether you can be put on a cancellation waitlist, or whether a nearby Quest location has earlier availability. You can also call back the next day, as cancellations often open up slots.

Do I need to tell my doctor if I reschedule?

No, you don't need to notify your doctor about a reschedule. Your doctor's order stays in the system, and Quest will send results to your doctor once the lab work is done, regardless of when you complete it.