How to Reschedule or Cancel a Quest Diagnostics Appointment
You can change your Quest appointment online, by phone, or through the Quest app
Quest Diagnostics lets you reschedule or cancel most appointments through three main routes: your online account at questdiagnostics.com, a phone call to the location directly, or the Quest mobile app. The fastest option is usually online — you can change the date and time in minutes without waiting on hold. If you're cancelling rather than rescheduling, Quest asks that you do so at least 24 hours before your appointment to avoid a no-show on your record.
The process differs slightly depending on whether your appointment was booked through Quest directly, through your doctor's office, or through an employer or insurance plan. If your doctor ordered the test, you may need to contact their office to change it rather than Quest itself — the system will tell you during the change process if that's the case.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Quest account at questdiagnostics.com and select "Manage Appointments" to reschedule online without calling.
- If you booked through your doctor's office or employer, contact them first — they may need to resubmit the order to Quest for a new date.
- Cancelling at least 24 hours ahead prevents a no-show from appearing on your record and affecting future appointments.
- The Quest app and phone line (1-800-222-0446) both work if you don't have online access or prefer to speak with someone.
- If your appointment is within 24 hours, call the location directly — they may be able to move you same-day or next-day depending on availability.
Rescheduling through your Quest online account
Go to questdiagnostics.com and sign in with your username and password. If you don't have an account, you can create one using your email address. Once logged in, look for "Manage Appointments" or "My Appointments" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created, but it's always in the main menu.
Click on the appointment you want to change. You'll see options to reschedule or cancel. If you choose reschedule, Quest will show you available dates and times at your location or let you pick a different location if you prefer. Select your new time slot and confirm. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes with your new appointment details.
This method works best if you booked directly through Quest — for example, if you ordered a test yourself or received a direct link from Quest. If your doctor's office placed the order, the online system may not let you change it, and you'll see a message directing you to contact your doctor instead.
Changing an appointment ordered by your doctor
When your doctor orders lab work, they send it to Quest through their own system. To reschedule, you typically need to contact your doctor's office first and ask them to update the order with a new date. Once they do, Quest's system updates automatically, and you may receive a new appointment confirmation email.
Some doctor's offices let you call and say "I need to move my Quest appointment to Thursday instead of Tuesday," and they handle it on their end. Others ask you to reschedule through Quest directly and then notify them of the change. When you call your doctor, ask which approach they use — it saves a back-and-forth.
If your doctor's office says you can reschedule directly with Quest, you can then use the online method or call Quest at 1-800-222-0446. Tell them your name, date of birth, and the appointment date you're trying to move. They'll pull up the order and help you find a new time.
Using the Quest mobile app to reschedule
The Quest Diagnostics mobile app (available on iOS and Android) has the same rescheduling features as the website. Download the app, log in with your Quest account credentials, and tap "Appointments" or "My Appointments." Select the appointment you want to change and choose reschedule or cancel.
The app is useful if you're on the go and want to move an appointment without sitting at a computer. It also sends push notifications reminding you of upcoming appointments, which can help you catch a time conflict before it becomes a problem.
Calling Quest or your local lab location
If you prefer to speak with someone or need to reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment, call Quest's main line at 1-800-222-0446. Have your name, date of birth, and appointment confirmation number ready. The representative can reschedule you over the phone and will email a new confirmation.
You can also call your specific Quest location directly — the phone number is on your appointment confirmation or on the Quest website's location finder. Local staff sometimes have more flexibility with same-day or next-day changes, especially if the location isn't fully booked. This is your best option if you need to move an appointment that's happening tomorrow or later today.
Wait times on the main line vary, especially in the morning. If you're calling during business hours (usually 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time), you'll typically reach someone within 10 to 15 minutes.
What happens if you don't show up
If you miss an appointment without cancelling, Quest may flag it as a no-show on your account. This doesn't prevent you from booking future appointments, but some doctor's offices track no-shows and may ask you to reschedule with more notice next time. Cancelling at least 24 hours ahead keeps your record clean.
If you realize you're going to miss an appointment, call or cancel online as soon as you know. Even if it's the morning of, cancelling is better than not showing up. If you're running late but can still make it, call the location to let them know — they may hold your spot or fit you in if you arrive within a reasonable time.
Rescheduling when your appointment is part of a multi-test order
Some orders include multiple tests scheduled on the same day or across different days. If you reschedule one test, check whether the others move with it or stay on their original dates. When you reschedule online or by phone, the system will show you all tests in the order and let you adjust them individually or together.
If your doctor ordered several tests and you only want to move one, you can do that — but call your doctor's office afterward to confirm they're aware of the change. This prevents confusion if they're expecting all results on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reschedule my appointment less than 24 hours before it's scheduled?
Yes, but you'll need to call your local Quest location directly rather than using the online system. Availability depends on how busy the lab is that day. Same-day or next-day slots may be open, but there's no may provide. Call as soon as you know you need to move it.
What if I cancel and then need to reschedule the same test later?
If you cancelled through Quest, you'll need to contact your doctor's office to resubmit the order. If you cancelled a test you ordered yourself, you can book a new appointment anytime through the Quest website or app. Your doctor may also need to reorder if they originally placed it.
Do I need to fast before my rescheduled appointment?
That depends on the type of test, not on when you're having it. Your confirmation email or appointment details will say whether you need to fast. If you're unsure, call the location or check your original lab order from your doctor.
Will rescheduling delay my test results?
Moving your appointment to a later date will delay when you get results, but rescheduling to a different time on the same day won't. Results typically come back within one to three business days after your test, depending on the type of test.
What if the Quest website won't let me reschedule?
This usually means your doctor's office placed the order and you need to contact them first. Some orders also lock after a certain date — if your appointment is more than a few weeks away, you may need to call Quest directly to reschedule instead of using the online system.
This guide is general information, not professional advice. Offices and providers set their own rules, so check the details with the one you’re seeing. See our Editorial Policy.