STDcheck.com Review: Everything You Need to Know - Healthline
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If you think you've been exposed to an STI, testing is a smart first step. Here we explain how STDcheck.com works, what tests it offers, privacy, cost, and more.
Quick look at STDcheck.com tests
- 10 Test Panels
- Individual tests
- Other tests
STDcheck․com aims to provide a judgment- and hassle-free testing experience for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To use this service, you purchase the laboratory test you want at STDcheck.com and get tested in person at one of their certified laboratories.
There are individual tests and a 10-test panel covering many of the most commonly diagnosed STIs.
Here's everything you need to know to help decide whether STDcheck․com is the right service for you.
How STDcheck.com works
Process
STDcheck․com's STD Test Recommender tool evaluates which tests you need based on your answers to a few sexual health questions. You can also check the STI screening recommendations the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
To use the STDcheck.com service, follow these steps:
- Purchase the test you want online or by phone. STDcheck accepts credit and debit cards, Paypal, cryptocurrency, and other payment processes. A pay-later option is also available, although you must pay your bill prior to receiving your test results.
- A requisition (req) form or confidential code for the test will be sent to you through your confidential account portal.
- Take the req form to an STDcheck certified test center, which includes LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics facilities. There are over 4,500 throughout the United States To ensure your privacy, there are no waiting rooms or wait times to get tested. No appointment is needed, and no additional paperwork or payment will be required.
- Based on the test you purchase, you will provide either a urine sample, blood sample, or both for testing.
- Your results will be available within 24–48 hours.
- If you test positive, a physician consultation is made available to you for an additional $95. This fee covers the cost of a prescription, should medication be required.
Cost
STDcheck․com offers a variety of individual and panel tests; that range in cost from $24 for some single tests to $259 for the full panel.
STDcheck․com doesn't accept insurance. If requested, it will provide you with an itemized receipt you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
You can also use your HSA or FSA funds. If you use a credit card, the transaction will show up as "HealthLabs.com" on your statement.
Accuracy
STDcheck․com claims that its tests are 99% accurate. But it suggests waiting to get tested until after the STI incubation period has passed to get the most reliable results.
The incubation period is the amount of time it takes for your body to create antibodies against the infection. This period depends on the type of potential infection and can range from a few days to a few weeks. Since the test will detect the presence of antibodies, waiting until this period has passed helps ensure antibodies will be present.
Customer reviews
STDcheck․com's online reputation is largely positive. On its website, the company has over 5,000 reviews, with an overall rating of 9.8 out of 10.
On Trustpilot, it has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating with over 2,800 reviews.
On Better Business Bureau (BBB), STDcheck.com is listed under its parent company, Analyte Health. In addition to STDcheck.com, Analyte's businesses also include Healthlabs.com and Paternitylab.com. The company has more than 1,300 reviews and has an A+ rating.
Reviewers mention:
- quick and easy testing
- fast results
- professional service
- confidentiality
STDcheck.com tests
Individual tests available
Worried about chlamydia?
Chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur together. STDcheck.com offers a test that checks for both STIs with one urine sample for $99.
Other available tests from STDcheck.com
| Price | Collection method | Results in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV 1 & 2 antibodies | $49 | blood | 1–2 days |
| HIV RNA early detection | $119 | blood | 2–4 days |
| Oral herpes (HSV-1) | $45 | blood | 1–2 days |
| Genital herpes (HSV-2) | $45 | blood | 1–2 days |
| Syphilis | $49 | urine and blood | 1–2 days |
Learn more about the best at-home STD tests here.
Pros and cons of STDcheck.com
Pros
- tests for 10 STIs individually or in a single panel
- no doctor's prescription required for testing
- same day testing available without an appointment
- more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide
- doctor's consultation and medication prescription provided with positive test results
- results available in 1 to 2 days
- accepts health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) payments
Cons
- insurance is not accepted
- requires a lab visit
- client comfort and speed of service may vary at laboratory facilities
- doctor's consultation for positive tests costs $95
STDcheck.com vs competitors
| Sample collection | Result time | Insurance accepted? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STDcheck․com | in lab | 1–2 days | No |
| LetsGetChecked | at home | 2–5 days | No |
| HealthLabs | in lab | 1–3 days | No |
| PrioritySTD | in lab | 1–3 days | No |
Interpreting your results
On your results page, you'll see the name of your test and whether your result was negative or positive.
Negative
The terms "not detected" or "nonreactive" mean the test did not detect the STI in your body. In other words, you're negative.
Positive
"Reactive" means the STI was detected. A number in the Value column is the reference range. It indicates whether the value is high enough to be considered positive. For example, a range of 0.90 in the HSV-2 test means any results below 0.90 are considered negative.
Is STDcheck.com covered by insurance?
STDcheck․com does not accept insurance payments, which it says is to protect its customers' privacy. The company will give you an itemized receipt to use for insurance reimbursement.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most private health insurance plans must
Anonymous testing
At the lab, you will not have to fill out paperwork or answer questions. Your test results will not be reported to your insurance company or added to your medical record. All online communications are encrypted, and
If you test positive and wish to let your previous partners know, you can use STDcheck's anonymous website tool. Here, patients can send an alert email to others letting them know that they were exposed and should get tested.
Since this service is anonymous, STDcheck will not be able to let you know who sent you an alert email, should you receive one.
Since scams are possible when you do business online, it's always a good idea to check with your local health department before using any online testing service.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. STDcheck.com is an established online STD testing facilitator that works with laboratories nationwide. The company has a medical board of reviewers comprised of healthcare professionals and allied professionals.
It won a Better Business Bureau Winner of Distinction Award in 2017.
According to the company, all STDcheck tests are either FDA approved or FDA cleared.
Your date of exposure to an STD will determine what type of test is be most reliable for you. Blood tests provide earlier detection than urine tests for some diagnoses.
At-home testing has been found to be about as reliable and accurate as in-person laboratory testing.
The takeaway
It's important to get tested for an STI if you think you might have been exposed to the respective bacteria or virus. Many of these infections don't have symptoms, and they can cause serious health problems if left untreated.
STDcheck.com lets you order STI tests conveniently and anonymously and have them shipped to your home. You will not need a prescription or an appointment for the lab test, and you'll have results within a day or two.
If you test positive, the company offers access to a doctor who can advise you on the recommended next steps.
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