In a Nutshell
pros
- Private and confidential--never goes on your medical record
- Offer individual tests if you have a specific STD concern
- 3,500 convenient testing locations across the United States
cons
- Not all tests are available as at-home test kits
- It is private, so medical insurance doesn’t cover the cost
Health Testing Centers At-a-Glance
Take at home: Some, but most in labs
Referral needed: No
Medical staff qualifications: Doctors, nurses, technicians
Collection type: Blood, urine, vaginal swab, oral swab
Results in: 2-3 days
Follow-up services: Doctor consultation and prescriptions
Why Go With Health Testing Centers
Health Testing Centers has been around since 1980 and is at the forefront of preventative healthcare. The company has enabled easy access to laboratory testing so consumers can see their test results for themselves without having to inform their regular physician or insurance providers.
With 3,500 locations nationwide, testing centers are easy to access. Health Testing Centers works with 2 major laboratories—LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. The company has an A+ rating with the BBB.
STDs Tested For
- The following STD tests are available at Health Testing Centers:
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- Early HIV Detection (HIV1), Qualitative, RNA
- Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
- Hepatitis B Core Antibodies, Total
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) types 1 & 2
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
As well as all the individual tests listed above, Health Testing Centers offers 2 test panels. The first one is a 10 Test Panel, which includes 4th generation HIV 1&2 antibody/antigen, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes 1&2, hepatitis A/B/C antibodies, and hepatitis B surface antigen tests. The second one offered is the 10 Test Panel with early detection of HIV. This includes the early detection HIV test, which can detect HIV in as little as 6 to 12 days after exposure.
How it Works
At the Health Testing Center, you’ll order your lab tests either online or by phone, you’ll select the laboratory you wish to use, and you pay for it. You'll receive an email confirmation with a form, and you'll take the form to the laboratory for the test/s. If you have chosen to take an at-home test kit, it should arrive within 5 to 7 days. Once the results are in, you will be notified via email, and you can then log in to your secure account to view your results.
What’s in the Box?
If you order a home test kit, you'll receive a set of instructions on how to take the swab and keep it sterile. All of the equipment you need will come included in the kit. When you’ve taken the sample, you’ll place it in the pouch provided and slip it in the postage-paid return envelope that you send back to the company. When your results are ready, you’ll be able to view them in the online portal and speak to a healthcare provider about potential treatment options available.
Collection Process
The different types of collection for testing STDs are:
Urine test – The urine test is very straightforward. It involves passing urine into a sterile cup. This causes no discomfort.
Vaginal swab – A sterile, moist cotton swab is inserted into the vagina for a sample of vaginal discharge. While you may feel some pressure or discomfort, the test shouldn't hurt and does not take too long.
Urethral swab – A sterile cotton swab is gently inserted inside a man's penis into the urethra and turned. This can be quite painful but does not take long.
Anal swab – A sterile swab is inserted approximately 2.5cm into the anal canal and moved from side to side. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds; you will feel pressure, but it is not painful.
Blood test/finger prick – How many STDs you are testing for will determine how many vials you need to fill and, therefore, how long it will take, but it should not be more than a few minutes. Having a blood test is not painful; it just feels like a sharp scratch in your arm. If you have a finger prick test, it is quick and relatively painless.
Oral Swab – The oral swab is easy and straightforward, takes less than 30 seconds, and causes no discomfort.
How Long for Results?
The length of time it will take to get the results will differ depending on what you are having tested, but on average, results are typically received in 2 to 3 business days via your secure login.
Report Features
When the results are in, you'll receive an email alerting you to the fact. You then need to log into your account to review your results. The results are comprehensive and easy to read, and if you need help interpreting them, you can call the company at 877-511-5227.
Follow-Up Support
If you test negative, then you generally don’t need any follow up. If you do, you can call the company to discuss what questions or concerns you may have. If you test positive, then you get the opportunity to speak with one of their doctors, who will go through your results with you and discuss your options. You can ask questions about what to do next, and the doctor will give you a prescription or tell you what and where you need to go for treatment.
Pricing
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea: $109
Early HIV Detection (HIV-1), Qualitative, RNA: $249
10 Test STD Panel (recommended): $198
The tests are all done at either LabCorp or Quest Laboratory testing centers, and the price is the same at both. All payment is made at the application stage; no payment is taken at the labs.
Confidentiality
Health Testing Centers takes your privacy very seriously. It does not share your information with any third parties, and your results do not go onto your permanent record. Its website uses encryption to ensure that your data is kept private, and it only works with CLIA-approved laboratories that follow Federal regulations and strict guidelines concerning all private health information.
The company states that it exceeds all industry-standard practices regarding security, privacy, and confidentiality, as outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Customer Support
Health Testing Centers has a very comprehensive website with very detailed sexual health resources, where you will likely find any answer you are looking for. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, you can contact customer support. To contact customer support at Health Testing Centers, you can either call them toll-free at 877-511-5227 or email them at info@healthtestingcenters.com. They are open from 8am to 7pm.
Bottom Line
Health Testing Centers makes testing for STDs as painless and hassle-free as possible, particularly during a time that most consider to be quite stressful. It keeps all of your information private and confidential, and you get a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Health Testing Centers comes highly recommended for anyone at any age who is sexually active and may be concerned about their sexual health.
