Home Health Care Testing
Information Page

What is home health care testing?

Diagnostic testing (i.e. laboratory tests) in the home in which the consumer performs his/her own test(s).

What are some examples of the types of kits available for home use?

Ovulation Detection Test
Pregnancy Test
Cholesterol Test
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Blood Glucose Testing Kit
Urinary Tract Infection Screening Test
Skin Growth Monitoring

Back to Top of Page

Do I need a doctor’s prescription before I can perform a home health care test?

No, these kits can be purchased over the counter and are most commonly found in supermarkets and drugstores.

How much will a home health care test cost me?

Prices will vary depending on the type of test purchased. Average prices for some of these tests are:

Pregnancy Test - $12.00
Ovulation Detection Test - $21.00
Cholesterol Test - $20
Glucose Monitoring Instrument - $30-$100
Glucose Test Strips - $30.00

You will need to consult your individual insurance carrier to determine if these costs are covered.

Back to Top of Page

What are some advantages of home health care testing?

1. allows individuals to monitor a disease that has already been detected (e.g. monitoring glucose levels in diabetic patients).
2. allows consumers to detect certain conditions in the privacy of their home.

   Note: all positive test results should be reported to your health care practitioner.

3. allows consumers to get instant results (e.g. you’re the first to know you’re pregnant).
4. some products are inexpensive and easy to use

What are some of the limitations of a home test kit?

1. many tests require the consumer to obtain a blood sample.
2. consumers may be embarrassed to disclose their test results (e.g. positive HIV test) and a positive test must be followed up.
3. may get a false positive test - what this means is that something other than what you’re testing for made the test result positive. There should always be a follow-up test performed by a qualified health care practitioner to confirm the initial positive result.
4. a negative test result may occur even when disease is present

Back to Top of Page

When should I perform a home test before seeing my health care practitioner?

The decision to perform a home test is best made after the consumer determines why it is they want the information. Is it because:

1. you are health conscious and want to monitor a particular constituent (e.g. cholesterol)?
2. you have been diagnosed with a disease and want to monitor a particular constituent (e.g. glucose)?
3. Or do you suspect you’re pregnant and want to be the first to know?

Regardless of what the reason is for performing a home test, any result you obtain should be brought to the attention of your health care provider!

What should I look for when purchasing a home health care test?

1. Review the test steps on the package in order to insure that you will be able to collect the sample and follow the directions. It is very important to follow the package instructions exactly as they are written. This includes how the sample is collected, how the sample is applied to the testing device and adhering to the timing of the test to insure useful results.
2. Look to see if a number is listed in the event you have any questions about how to use the product or what to do after obtaining the results.

Note: If you’re going to perform a home test for the first time, it would be advisable to call the company if there is anything in the directions you are unclear about (e.g. how do I perform a fingerstick?). It’s also important to read the package insert carefully in order to determine if there are any foods you are eating or medications you are taking that may interfere with the accuracy of your test results.

Back to Top of Page

Important considerations:

1. Using a home test to monitor the presence of certain substances (e.g. glucose) that will result in the self- administration of medication (e.g. insulin) should be conducted under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner.
2. The presence of a negative test result (e.g. negative pregnancy test/negative glucose test) when there are clinical indications (e.g. late menstruation/symptoms of diabetes) that contradict the test result should be reported to your health care practitioner.
3. A positive test result should always be reported to your health care practitioner so that the result can be confirmed by a qualified laboratory.

Back to Top of Page