Health Minister Tony Ryall, who declared a moratorium on the issue late last year, ordered an independent review of boards already charging for this, which is not expected to be completed until the end of this year.
Mr Ryall said this week the Government was not convinced boards charging for the tests would save the health service money overall.
So far, only three boards impose charges for privately-ordered laboratory tests - Hutt Valley, Capital and Coast, and Tairawhiti.
The Otago board estimated it could save $1 million a year if it stopped bearing the cost of the private tests and Southland $300,000, although opponents of the move suggested gains would be lower.
Both boards decided a year ago they would not wait for a national policy on the issue and began discussions with Southern Community Laboratories (SCL) to work out an implementation plan.
The Otago board vote on the issue was split and members said their final approval would depend on their satisfaction with the implementation plan, which has not been completed.
Concerns included how exceptions might be covered and the need to monitor detrimental effects.
Board chairman Errol Millar was philosophical about the situation.
It meant it would take longer for the board to be able to balance its books, but reviews and policy changes were to be expected with a change in government.
SCL chief executive Dr Peter Gootjes said it would be interesting to see what might happen to those boards already charging for the tests should the Government decide it did not want charging.
There would need to be national consistency.
While some work had been done on how to implement the idea in Otago and Southland, it was " quite a big job" and one the company could do without.
However, if the Government decided the boards could go ahead, the company would have no choice about completing the work.
He expected there would be some lead time allowed in that situation.
