The really GOOD ones do the a1c the same day and get the lab back in 10 min with a finger prick. They all do it differently. I’ll try calling ahead of my summer appointment.
At my last endo visit she did in office A1C, but the cost of it was much higher than a lab draw. So I prefer lab draw. Sometimes she orders CMP, once a year.
@mohe0001 ,
I see. What I started doing previously, when my endo was out of network and I paid for all her costs out of pocket, was to see my primary just before the endo appointment and get panel and A1c at my primary office and take results to endo appointment. She seemed to appreciate it. (They could do A1c in the office, but would cost me. No cost at primary every 3 months.)
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The “in-office A1C machine” is great for patients who don’t self-monitor bg.
I’m a little dubious the A1C (lab or in-office) provides any actual value to someone with a CGM and/or very detailed bg self-monitoring. I realize it is de rigeur for decades now, but official lab A1C’s show such a huge scatter and in-office A1C’s are even more randomly spread.
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My insurance company is very anal about A1c Tests. I used to go every 6 months, but they want every 3, which I now do. They even sent me a home blood kit to mail to a company for an A1c! I ignored it. Wrong on so many levels!
I am on my 3rd Endo in 40 years in two states. That surprises even me. I have always worked collaboratively with my Endos. They have never tried to “boss” me. My regular family dr does my full lab panel and my Endo does A1c and thyroid tests. And yes, the A1c is known by the time he comes in the room. I would rather go with the testing that he prefers for the A1c. And my insurance pays for it. They have people on Medtronic and Tandem. I hope that I am not an exception.
I feel fortunate to have insurance so for those who don’t I understand seeking the least expensive lab tests possible. But I would suggest going in to the Endo expecting a partnership. And nicely showing through your discussion that that is how it will be. I think they are thrilled to see good A1c numbers.
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I would throw a kanipshit if they made me miss a day of work for an a1c every three months. I would rage my way down to the state capitol about it.
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I had a really great one for 10 years, but then the insurance changed some partnerships and she became out of network.
Since then, its been up and down. I had great ones through covid, which was the most important thing.
Now that the economy is up and chugging like a train, people my age are too busy for unnecessary Doc visits. Big labor shortage. Every second of our lives is spent trying to take over for the Boomers that are retiring in droves. We have a couple years, at best, for the old guard to get us trained in. 
My longtime endo went out of network with my insurance, but since their team was more like family to me, I paid out of pocket to keep going there. To cut costs, I had my primary do my A1C and thyroid panel through an in network lab, just a couple of days before my Endo appointment, so I could bring them with me. It got pricy though. I’ve returned to the in network endo to fill in until I can get back in network with the original endo. I actually like both now. So, I’m lucky. Both top facilities.
I retired early, 5 years ago. No regrets.
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You got out just in time before having to be responsible for training in the new gen. It’s rough out there. 
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I note that “funny money” (before insurance) lab costs are just ridic and have been for ages. e.g. $150 is list price for an A1C for those without insurance covergate, but if in-network the lab only charges the insurance company $4.
With very few exceptions (e.g. inpatient hospital lab) most docs will gladly write you a lab request that you can take to your in-network lab.
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