Review of STDCheck Testing Service
Complications that could arise from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are known to most people. But reluctance for testing often sets in when an average person suspects that they might have one of these infections. Why? They feel too embarrassed to go to a laboratory and get tested.
It’s no secret that most people greatly dread the stigma that comes with testing positive for an STI. This is enough to make many feel unwilling to have a test, even though early detection can make a lot of difference.
STDCheck is a service that seeks to help people overcome this impediment to early testing. Perhaps, you have been told to check it out and you are wondering whether it’s really worth it. In this review, you will find everything you need to make a decision.
What is STDCheck?
STDCheck is a whole new approach to testing for sexually transmitted infections, different from what you are used to. It is an online service that aims to eliminate the shame people feel when it comes to getting tested. The process is hassle-free, efficient, and confidential.
Early detection is crucial to avoiding complications from STDs. This is what this service seeks to help with. You simply need to follow a few simple steps that won’t take too much of your time to get tested.
STDCheck is based in the United States and seems to offer its services exclusively there. It targets everyone older than 16 years of age, especially those engaged in unprotected sex. The Houston-based company works in conjunction with more than 4,500 testing centers across the country.
What Are STDCheck’s Selling Points?
This company describes itself as the “leader in STD testing.” You’re probably wondering: on what basis is that?
10-Test Panel
STDCheck offers convenient testing for 10 of the most common STDs in the U.S. They are:
-
- HIV Type 1
- HIV Type 2
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Chlamydia
- Herpes Type 1
- Herpes Type 2
STDCheck says it’s the only testing service offering tests on the 10 most common STDs.
Convenient locations
With over 4,500 testing locations nationwide, you should be able to easily find a lab close by. The platform offers a tool for finding the nearest centers to patients.
FDA approval
STDCheck says all its tests have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The service is supposedly the only one of such providing an HIV RNA Early Detection Test approved by the U.S. government agency. This newer testing method enables faster detection of HIV in the blood.
CLIA certification
All labs in the service’s network meet and exceed standards set by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. This means you can expect whatever testing location you visit to provide you with accurate results.
Utmost confidentiality with STDCheck
The only reason you are probably considering a service like STDCheck is that you want to protect your privacy. You can expect to enjoy that. Your privacy is assured from the point of ordering when you get your test results.
The company says it operates in compliance with HIPAA privacy laws regarding the protection of health information.
Another reason this service might interest you is that it promises your test results would be ready in 1-2 days. This is fast. You can also call their Care Advisors for updates at any time.
Testing Procedure at STDCheck
The process of testing for sexually transmitted diseases through STDCheck is a rather seamless one. You simply need to follow three steps to get a test done. But first, you will need to sign up for an account – this won’t take too much time though.
Order your test
This service offers you a variety of test packages, including the 10-Test Panel. You can order all 10 common STD tests, some, or just one of them. However, you get better value with packages than with individual tests. The arrangement is just to enable you to choose only what meets your needs.
If you are unsure of what test to order, there are trained counselors on the ground to help you make the right decision.
Payment for any test you order is made online. STDCheck offers a variety of payment methods, including credit cards and cryptocurrency, for completing your order. A lab requisition form would be sent to your inbox after completing the order.
Visit the nearest testing location
Probably before placing your order, you may want to find which one of the over 4,500 testing locations available nationwide is closest to you. There is a section on the online platform where you can enter your zip code to find out.
Once you select a testing location, an appointment is automatically made. You simply need to visit the lab at a time you find convenient.
You will receive a unique code in the email after your order which will notify the technician there what samples they need to collect. The particular type of sample to provide will depend on what infection you are testing for. But you should expect to provide a blood or urine sample.
Wait for your results
There are usually no waiting areas at these testing locations. You are expected to go home after providing your samples and wait for your results to be ready. It typically takes 1-2 days for them to be ready.
You will receive an email in your inbox when your results are ready. You can check them via your STDCheck online account after receiving the email.
What Happens if You Test Positive for an STD?
You may be wondering what else if anything, this service can do for you if you test positive for an STD. Should that be the case, you have the option of discussing the results with any of the doctors working as consultants with STDCheck.
The physician will fully explain the possible implication of the results. You can ask a medical professional whatever questions that may be troubling your mind. He may also give you a prescription, if you need one, although you will have to pay for this. The doctor attending to you could also refer you to a specialist if that is considered necessary.
Consumer Reviews of STDCheck
One of the interesting things about STDCheck is that it boasts what we may describe as very impressive customer satisfaction. On its official website, the service shows a rating of 9.8 out of 10! That was based on more than 5,100 reviews.
Sentiments elsewhere aren’t much different from that displayed on the STDCheck website. Users talked up how convenient, easy, and fast their service was. They also mentioned their helpful support. Most customers expressed readiness to recommend the service to people who might need it.
However, there were also people who complained that their results took longer than expected. This shouldn’t be much of an issue, though, because some tests may take longer than 1-2 days to be ready. The stipulated time is merely typical.
Some customers also said they had a problem requesting a refund.
Overall, it appears that STDCheck was perfect for the majority of the people who used its services.
At the time of writing, the service has a rating of 9.3 out of 10 on Trustpilot, based on 1,867 customer reviews. That’s certainly positive!
Test Pricing
There are two offerings of the 10-Test Panel covering the 10 most common sexually transmitted diseases. The basic package costs $198 while the improved package costs $349.
You might wonder what is the difference between these two packages. The upgraded version includes HIV RNA testing, which helps to detect HIV infections earlier than with the traditional method.
The HIV RNA test is able to detect infection in 9-11 days after exposure to the virus. The standard HIV tests offered by the service take 2-3 weeks, at the minimum, for detection to be possible.
And, of course, you may also choose to order individual tests in these packages separately. The price of each one is indicated below:
- Hepatitis A, B, and C − $24 each
- HIV 1 and 2 (4th Gen.) − $79
- Syphilis − $79
- Herpes 1 and 2 − $65 each
- Chlamydia − $89
- Gonorrhea − $89
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea − $129
- HIV RNA Early Detection − $169
Clearly, the 10-Test Panel packages offer the most value for money. You may also save more money if you are able to get a discount code for your order.
It may please you to know that payments for tests will not reflect on your statement with the name “STDCheck.” What you will see instead is “Health Labs.” This is good for confidentiality.
Can You Pay STDCheck with Insurance?
In case you are wondering whether you can pay for tests with your insurance, STDCheck doesn’t accept that. But there is a reason for the policy. Accepting your health insurance for payment could defeat the purpose of using this service.
If you were to use insurance, this means your results will be reported to your insurer for medical record purposes. Where does that leave your privacy? You surely want to ensure confidentiality, which is what STDCheck aims for.
Besides, you may find the prices of the tests very competitive or more affordable than what you can get at facilities in your area.
STDCheck Review – Conclusion
When privacy matters so much in STD testing, you should consider using a service like STDCheck. It removes the embarrassment that keeps people from getting tested, even when they know they need to. This service is arguably the best of its kind currently.
It maintains a network of testing locations numbering more than 4,500 across the U.S. Each lab is CLIA certified to guarantee the accuracy of results. All tests offered have the approval of the FDA.
STDCheck promises total confidentiality, saying it is compliant with federal mandates on the protection of your health information. Pricing looks competitive and affordable as well. Plus there are well-trained Care Advisors ready at any time to assist you.
The feedback from people who have used this service is impressive. You may check some of them online, especially on Trustpilot. This certainly looks like a platform you want to check out.
References
STD testing: What’s right for you?
Continuing Need for Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics After the Affordable Care Act
You Can Order a Dozen STD Tests Online — But Should You?
*Sponsored Content Disclaimer: Gilmore Health Does not Endorse The views in this Article!
FEEDBACK: