Consumers Want More Accessible, Affordable Blood Testing for Wellness, HealthMine Survey Finds

Only 19% are aware of new lower cost, more convenient options for blood tests

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Jun 04, 2015, 11:00 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AHIP Institute 2015 -- As innovation in lab testing technology combines with advances in health policy to empower healthcare consumerism, HealthMine queried 1,200 consumers with self- and employer-sponsored health insurance about blood testing for preventive care and wellness monitoring. More than three quarters---76%---of insured consumers say they should be able to get their blood tested anytime, without a doctor's orders. Further, results show that 68% of people would get their blood tested for wellness or preventive care every 6 months or more frequently if it was convenient, less painful and more affordable.

Rarely used for wellness, prevention

Blood testing can provide valuable information about an individual's health, and in many cases, can lead to early detection and prevention of chronic disease. Although accustomed to getting blood drawn after the presence of symptoms or illness, more than half of consumers---58%---say their doctor does not order blood tests for them as part of wellness monitoring. Another 42% say that they do not get blood tests for preventive care.

Perceived as inconvenient and uncomfortable

Until recently, blood testing has been inaccessible, painful or cost prohibitive for many consumers; 43% of people say they feel fear, anxiety or stress when a doctor orders a blood test for them. Another 27% report that they or a family member have had trouble getting blood drawn due to physiology, issues with collapsed veins or other problems.

Low awareness of new lower cost, less-invasive choices

While promising alternatives to the traditional blood draw exist today, including Theranos, consumer awareness is low; only 19% of people are aware of new blood tests that require only a few drops of blood from a finger prick. What's more, just 30% of people know that there is a certified medical testing lab that performs any lab test on samples as small as a few drops of blood, not requiring tubes of blood drawn from your veins. Although half or more of consumers recognize traditional lab testing vendors like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, only 6% of people have heard of Theranos.

Bryce Williams, CEO and President of HealthMine said: "Meaningful health data gives people power to better manage their health. We can make it easier to get meaningful data into people's hands with blood tests that are dramatically more convenient, less invasive and less expensive than traditional methods." He continued, "This is an important space for insurers and employers to watch carefully, because accessible and affordable lab testing can revolutionize wellness programs—by helping lead to early detection and prevention for many."

About the Survey

The HealthMine Health Plan Member Survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) on May 15-27, 2015. Data were collected via an opt-in panel. The margin of error is 4%. Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 37 Years.

Key Results
Does your doctor order blood tests for you as part of preventative care?

Yes	58%
No	42%


Does your doctor order blood tests for you as part of wellness monitoring?

Yes	42%
No	58%


Does your doctor order blood tests for you just when you are sick?

Yes	30%
No	70%


What is your reaction when a doctor orders a blood test for you?

Fear	12%
Anxiety	17%
Stress	14%
Annoyance	10%
Inconvenience	16%
Okay with it	56%


Have you or a family member ever had trouble getting blood drawn due to physiology, issues with collapsed veins or other problems?

Yes	27%
No	73%


Are you aware that there is a certified medical testing lab that performs any lab test on samples as small as a few drops of blood taken with a finger prick, not requiring drawing tubes of blood from your veins?

Yes	30%
No	70%


Has your doctor or other health care professional made you aware of new blood tests that require only a few drops of blood from a finger prick?

Yes	19%
No	81%


Do you think people should have the right to receive the results of their blood tests directly from labs or should they get them only through doctors?

Directly	21%
Only through doctors	20%
Both	59%


Do you think people should have the right to get their blood tested anytime they want, without a doctor's order?

Yes	76%
No	24%


Do you think health insurance plans should reimburse for blood tests for preventive care and wellness monitoring, in addition to when people are sick?

Yes	91%
No	9%


If you could get your blood tested in a way that was convenient, less painful, and affordable, how often would you have your blood tested for preventive care and wellness monitoring?

Every 2 months	10%
Every 3 months	21%
Every 6 months	37%
Every year	26%
Every 2 years or less often	5%
Never	2%


Which of the following companies have you heard of?

LabCorp	47%
Quest Diagnostics	58%
Theranos	6%

About HealthMine

HealthMine, a leading consumer health engagement company, has developed the wellness industry's first and only Personal Clinical Engagement technology platform. HealthMine empowers individuals to make meaning of their health information by automatically collecting clinical data, identifying risk for chronic disease, and setting health goals. Making it easy for consumers to manage their own health, HealthMine provides a personalized health portal available on any device, and delivers tailored recommendations, resources and incentives. HealthMine has more than one million users, and has saved employers and payers more than $100 million in healthcare costs. The company, founded in 2008, is based in Dallas, Texas with offices in San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis.

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SOURCE HealthMine