December 13, 2012

Please be advised that LifeLabs will close or reduce hours at patient service centres over the Christmas holiday period. We recommend that patients who require testing by LifeLabs plan to visit a LifeLabs Patient Service Center (PSC) no later than Monday, December 22nd. Below is a summary of our holiday hours.


Please note the following holiday schedule:

• Saturday Dec 22nd – All locations routinely open on Saturdays will be open
• Monday Dec 24th – All Locations Closing at or by 12:00noon
• Tuesday Dec 25th – All Locations Closed
• Wednesday Dec 26th – All Locations Closed
• Thursday Dec 27th – All locations open - Regular Hours of Service
• Friday Dec 28th - All locations open - Regular Hours of Service
• Saturday Dec 29th – All locations routinely open on Saturdays will be open
• Monday Dec 31st – All Locations Closing at or by 12:00noon
• Tuesday Jan 1st – All Locations Closed
• Wednesday Jan 2nd – All locations open – back to Regular Hours of Service

LifeLabs hopes you have a safe and happy holiday season.

June 6, 2011

**LifeLabs Purchases the Business of Intercounty Laboratories**


LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services has purchased the lab testing business of ICL and is now the new owner and operator of ICL's lab and patient service centres (PSC).

LifeLabs is Canada’s largest community lab services provider. We have over 50 years’ experience providing medical laboratory services to physicians and patients in Canada.

With this change, ICL has transferred custody and control of your personal health information (lab test results) to LifeLabs. You can be assured that your personal health information will continue to be handled in accordance with applicable privacy legislation, our privacy policy and our established privacy practices. (More information on our policies and practices can be found at www.lifelabs.com) We will work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure a continued, high level of security for your information.

In addition to providing test results to your doctor, LifeLabs sends a copy of all test results to the Ontario Laboratory Information System (OLIS). OLIS is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) -- a first step towards the establishment of province-wide electronic health records. If you want to restrict access to only the health professional who ordered your tests you may complete a “blocking” form. For further information with respect to OLIS or to request a blocking form, please contact the OLIS Help Desk at 1-800-291-1406, TTY 1-800-387-5559 or via e-mail at OLIS.MOH@Ontario.ca.

Please contact LifeLabs Customer Care Centre at 1-877-849-3637 with any questions or concerns. Thank you.

December 6, 2010

In order to meet the needs of this growing community, LifeLabs is building a new, larger patient service centre (PSC) at 14 Ramblewood Dr., Wasaga Beach.  While the expansion takes place, we will offer temporary services at an additional location: 230 King Street North in Stayner to improve wait times.

Effective Monday, December 6, LifeLabs will offer temporary services in Stayner on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m.  

We thank you for your patience as we expand to serve you better.   For information on operating hours at your local LifeLabs PSC, please contact our Customer Care Centre:  1-877-849-3637.

**Changes to OHIP Coverage of Vitamin D Testing**

Beginning December 1, 2010, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will only cover the cost of vitamin D testing for patients with the following medical conditions:

• Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
• Rickets
• Malabsorption Syndromes
• Renal Disease
• Patients on medications that affect vitamin D metabolism

For people without these conditions, the cost of a vitamin D test will no longer be covered by OHIP.

Please note that effective December 1, 2010, if you visit a LifeLabs patient specimen collection centre for a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test and your health care provider has not indicated on your lab requisition that the test should be insured, you will be required to pay LifeLabs' fee for the test. This can be paid by cash, cheque, debit card or credit card.

People should speak to their health care provider to determine whether they require vitamin D testing, and if they would be eligible for an insured vitamin D test.

Every individual’s health care needs are unique, so it is important to discuss your concerns about vitamin D testing and supplementation with your health care provider.

Your health care provider is in the best position to give advice about healthy eating and how to properly supplement your diet to ensure you receive adequate amounts of vitamin D.

The decision to only cover vitamin D testing for certain medical conditions was made after a review of the best available medical evidence by the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee. The evidence showed that vitamin D testing of healthy Ontarians is not appropriate or medically necessary.

Vitamin D fact sheet [PDF]

Vitamin D FAQ [PDF]

For more information on Canada’s Food Guide and vitamin D supplementation visit Health Canada’s website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/vitamin/vita-d-eng.php or visit Eat Right Ontario’s website at http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/ViewDocument.aspx?id=218&Topic=7&Cat=379

Click below to view archived notices sent to LifeLabs patients.

• June 1, 2010 Notice - Change to Non-Insured Test Prices

• November 1, 2007 Notice -- MDS Diagnostic Services is Now LifeLabs

• February 26, 2007 -- Notice of Borealis Purchase of MDS Diagnostic Services 

 http://www.mdsdx.com/MDS_Diagnostic_Services/News/MDSNews02260702.asp