I'll be the first to admit that my opinion about Hemotest took a dramatic turn in 2025, and it's all for the better.
Unfortunately, not all the necessary tests can be done on public health insurance, so I had to shell out some cash for services. But given the limited options in my city, I figured it was worth it.
When I needed to get some tests prescribed by my doctor done, I chose Hemotest for its convenience and affordability. It was a no-brainer.
Compared to its competitor, Invitro, Hemotest was the cheaper option, even with my 10% discount. Who doesn't love saving money, right?
Hemotest has been a nationwide chain with a presence in my city for over 10 years now, and I'm glad to see they've expanded their locations. There's now one just a stone's throw from my place, and their hours of operation work for me, which is a major plus.
In my city, Hemotest offers blood tests, swabs, and other procedures (and consultations with doctors are still not available offline): blood tests, swabs from various sites, stool tests, urine tests. All the available tests can be found on their website or by calling their hotline.
The receptionist at the front desk can give you info on any test you're interested in and tell you how to prepare for it. They're super helpful and knowledgeable.
The branch I visited was tiny, but it got the job done. It was just a small hall with a reception desk, a separate room for blood draws, and a couple of bins for gloves, a coat rack, and a bench.
Unfortunately, the toilet is a staff-only facility. I'm not sure if they'll let you use it if you need to. But hey, at least they're trying to keep things clean.
The whole process of getting checked in and getting the blood drawn takes a reasonable amount of time, but if there are other people there, you'll have to wait in line. It's not the end of the world, but it's something to keep in mind.
First, the nurse fills out the test order on the computer and prints out the contract and invoice. They usually send the receipts by mail, but I always ask them to print them out. I like having a physical copy.
After signing the documents, you pay. Only then do they take the blood sample. It's a pretty straightforward process, but the nurse has a lot on her plate.
But she's got all the necessary protocols down pat - hand sanitizer, gloves, the works. And the blood draw itself isn't painful, and they use a vacuum system. It's pretty standard stuff these days.
After that, the nurse bandages the vein and puts a sticker with your name on the test tube. Easy peasy.
I've done a few tests at Hemotest so far, and so far, so good. The pros of Hemotest are: convenient hours, monthly discounts on tests and packages - 20% off, and they're open on weekends. That's a major win in my book.
I appreciate that their website is very clear and easy to navigate, with plenty of information about their services. You can find everything you need to know on their site or by asking the registrar.
Another plus is that they send out convenient email reminders, which can help you stay on top of your appointments and test results. It's a small touch, but it makes a big difference.
I've had some mixed experiences with Hemotest, especially when it comes to getting my test results and dealing with customer support. But I'll get to that later.
On the plus side, they offer free online consultations with a doctor, which is a nice touch, especially if you're eligible for some free analyses. And they provide paid online consultations, which can be convenient if you need to discuss your results with a doctor.
I appreciate that they send out blood collection tubes to your home, making it easier to get tested. And they have a rewards program, which is great for loyal customers. The bonus points do expire after two years, but you can earn some nice rewards along the way.
When it comes to getting your test results, you can either print them out from the Hemotest website or access them from your personal account. They'll also email you the results, along with your receipt and a contract.
Now, let's talk about the downsides of Hemotest. One thing that's a bit of a hassle is that there's only one nurse handling registration and blood collection, which can lead to some delays. And some of their smaller branches don't have a separate restroom for customers. Not ideal.
And, of course, they're closed on Sundays, which can be a problem if you need to get tested on a weekend. Who doesn't love a relaxing Sunday, right?
One thing to note is that if you have a 20% discount on your analysis, they won't deduct the bonus points from your account, since the overall discount is capped. So, be sure to keep that in mind.
Hemotest is a decent option for getting your blood tests done, especially if you're looking for affordable prices on their paid services. But, let's be real, it's not without its flaws.
UPDATE 2025!
It's been a year since I last updated my review, and that means it's time to claim my tax refund for medical expenses. But, oh boy, getting the tax certificate was a whole different story. I had to navigate a nightmare of a process.
I decided to order the certificate online, and I was relieved to find that Hemotest has an electronic form on their website that's been approved by the authorities. So, on January 29, 2025, I placed my order.
The website said that the certificate would be ready within 20 days, but I figured that was a reasonable timeframe, considering not all income statements are reflected in the tax database yet. But, 20 days went by, and I still hadn't received my certificate.
I reached out to their customer support team, and they told me that they've changed their policy - now, it takes 30 days to get the certificate, even if you submitted your request based on old data. Yeah, that's right, folks, they've effectively retroactively changed their policy.
By the 31st day, I still hadn't received my certificate. I submitted another complaint, which was supposed to be responded to within 24 hours. But, of course, I didn't hear back from them.
So, I spent the next three days calling their hotline every hour, sending emails to their customer support address, and complaining on their website. But, guess what? My emails weren't even reaching their inbox because their email box was allegedly full.
The complaint number I submitted on their website also didn't come through to my email. It was like they were avoiding me.
By lunchtime, I was at my wit's end. I asked the hotline operator to submit a complaint instead of an inquiry, and she sent a request to their technical support team.
And, miracle of miracles, I finally got an email saying that one of my emails had been forwarded to their administration. As of today, it's been 35 days, and I still haven't received my tax certificate.
I've had a change of heart about Hemotest, and I'm now going to avoid it whenever possible. Getting the necessary legal documents just isn't feasible. The pros of Hemotest are: they offer a discount system, you can check your test results online, results are available through their website, and they're open on weekends. But, let's face it, those pros don't outweigh the cons.
The cons of Hemotest are: the facility is quite small, they don't provide a tax exemption certificate, and there's only one staff member on duty. Yeah, it's a recipe for disaster.