In 2010, there was only about US$15 million spent and direct-access lab testing, but as of 2018, we’re well on our way to $350 million.
What this is telling us is that people want more control, more access and more information. They want to start optimizing their health instead of waiting to treat disease. We are also learning that many people have high deductibles and much less coverage for lab testing than ever before.
Thanks to the growth of this industry, anybody over the age of 18 (in most states*) can now go online to certain providers (like YourLabwork.com) and order advanced diagnostic lab tests for themselves.
There’s a clear and transparent cash pricing structure that does not involve insurance, and the lab results are sent securely, directly to you.
However, this doesn’t mean doctors and other healthcare professionals don’t need to be involved. We always encourage our clients to review their lab tests with their physicians.
This is because your physician understands your past medical history, your family history and has the advantage of being able to examine you and interpret your results in the light of the above.
And, the goal of any direct access platform is to empower consumers to play a more active role in their health, not to remove doctors from the equation.