HealthieOne offers two ways to provide your blood sample: at-home self-collection or collection by a phlebotomist. Both deliver the same lab-grade results, so the right choice comes down to your comfort, your access, and a few practical details. 

Why we offer self-collection

Our test only needs about 1 mL of blood, which is what makes at-home collection possible in the first place. We added it mainly for two groups: people with a fear of needles, and people who do not have a phlebotomy location nearby. 

What self-collection asks of you

At-home self-collection is not difficult, but it does require attention to detail. The most common issues:

  • Missing the FedEx cutoff for shipping (typically 3 PM), which delays the sample in transit.

  • Not closing the cap securely, which can let the sample leak inside the bag.

  • Forgetting to tap the device immediately after activation.

  • Sometimes blood coagulates quickly after the first drop. That is not a mistake on your part, it is just the nature of your blood. Other times hemolysis occurs: hemolysis can happen with a standard venipuncture draw too, so it is not unique to collecting at home.

Tips:

What about price?

The two options come out to roughly the same total. The HealthieOne Complete Collection by Phlebotomist kit itself is cheaper, but you pay the phlebotomist's fee directly to them. The difference simply reflects the phlebotomist's time on one side and the cost of the self-collection device on the other.

Our honest recommendation

We gently nudge you toward collection by a phlebotomist. So far we have seen a much better track record with phlebotomist collections, while at-home self-collection has had a few more hiccups along the way. Think of self-collection like making coffee. You can absolutely make a great cup at home, but it is just nicer to let someone else do the grinding, the brewing, and the cleanup while you sip and enjoy. 

Any phlebotomy service willing to draw 2 small vials of blood and ship them to us following HealthieOne instructions will work perfectly. The services listed on our website are simply convenient suggestions. You schedule and pay them directly.

We just want your experience to be as smooth and successful as possible. We always advise people based on what's genuinely best for them. Whichever you choose, these are simply pass-through costs. We do not earn anything from either option. That is how we do business: with integrity, always.

One insider trick: 

If you have a nurse or phlebotomist friend, ask them to draw your blood (it takes about 5 minutes of their time). That is the most wallet-friendly route of all, because the phlebotomy kit is cheaper than the self-collection one and you skip the phlebotomist fee.