4 ms·

> proper doctor and having a real blood test done once a year would cost way less than this. how much is that?

muschellij2 4y ago
Most insurance plans see this as preventative care to get bloodwork done when you're doing your wellness visit, so, if you have insurance, $0 out of pocket.
- Snehpatel1 4y ago
  In my experience, some doctors won't order hsCRP (the marker we measure) for everyone. If they do, I think it would be rare for insurance to cover it multiple times per year.
  - metadat 4y ago
    Why do we need it multiple times per year? Maybe that's the part that needs to change, so as many people as possible have access to the data?
    - Snehpatel1 4y ago
      The idea is that by testing multiple times per year, you get more insight into what may be driving your levels and be able to intervene sooner
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
Grimburger 4y ago
Not sure about other countries but this is completely free in Australia. It's a general consult and bulk-billed onto medicare. I get an annual blood test done, even if not in the country, have paid $30 in Europe and $20 in Asia as a foreigner, isn't even worth bothering to claim on overseas health insurance.
- SyneRyder 4y ago
  That seems correct to me. I tried to look up the costs in Australia and I think this is the Medicare Benefits Schedule for it (ie C-reactive protein), though I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong: http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66500&qt=item http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66... If correct, it seems the cost to the taxpayer is $9.70 AUD (about $6.67 US). So even without bulk-billing making it free here, that's still a 10x markup.
  - Snehpatel1 4y ago
    Thanks for this info, particularly as we look to expand internationally :) Our price includes lab costs but also the cost of the packaging, shipping, ordering physician, etc. which all starts to add up! We decided to start with at home kits for the convenience but are planning to explore other methods of measuring levels (e.g., partnering with physical labs) Edit: I should also add that costs/prices typically start higher with startups and we fully expect them to come down as we scale.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]

Most insurance plans see this as preventative care to get bloodwork done when you're doing your wellness visit, so, if you have insurance, $0 out of pocket.

Snehpatel1 4y ago
In my experience, some doctors won't order hsCRP (the marker we measure) for everyone. If they do, I think it would be rare for insurance to cover it multiple times per year.
- metadat 4y ago
  Why do we need it multiple times per year? Maybe that's the part that needs to change, so as many people as possible have access to the data?
  - Snehpatel1 4y ago
    The idea is that by testing multiple times per year, you get more insight into what may be driving your levels and be able to intervene sooner
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]

Grimburger 4y ago

Not sure about other countries but this is completely free in Australia. It's a general consult and bulk-billed onto medicare. I get an annual blood test done, even if not in the country, have paid $30 in Europe and $20 in Asia as a foreigner, isn't even worth bothering to claim on overseas health insurance.

SyneRyder 4y ago
That seems correct to me. I tried to look up the costs in Australia and I think this is the Medicare Benefits Schedule for it (ie C-reactive protein), though I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong: http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66500&qt=item http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66... If correct, it seems the cost to the taxpayer is $9.70 AUD (about $6.67 US). So even without bulk-billing making it free here, that's still a 10x markup.
- Snehpatel1 4y ago
  Thanks for this info, particularly as we look to expand internationally :) Our price includes lab costs but also the cost of the packaging, shipping, ordering physician, etc. which all starts to add up! We decided to start with at home kits for the convenience but are planning to explore other methods of measuring levels (e.g., partnering with physical labs) Edit: I should also add that costs/prices typically start higher with startups and we fully expect them to come down as we scale.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]