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Marek/Function Health - FSA/HSA eligibility

Posted on 4/23/25 at 9:52 am
Posted by Lazy But Talented
Member since Aug 2011
14858 posts
Posted on 4/23/25 at 9:52 am
Has anyone had success using FSA or HSA funds to pay for bloodwork through Marek or Function Health?

It seems like a more straightforward option than going through a PCP and trying to get them to order all the same tests. Curious to hear if anyone’s gotten reimbursement approved or had issues with these companies.

I’ve got 2 FSAs this year and need to use up the funds - Wex and Via Benefits
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
59216 posts
Posted on 4/23/25 at 10:07 am to
I’ve used similar websites and have had no issues using my HSA. Ulta and Fitomics are the two I’ve used.
Posted by DrDenim
By the airport
Member since Sep 2022
910 posts
Posted on 4/23/25 at 8:53 pm to
I've never used my HSA for anything. I added money to it, and it just sits there, mostly invested, so it is getting a return/dividend. I imagine only using it in "oh shite" type scenarios. All the routine, planned, or otherwise expected health/medical expenses I just pay for out of pocket. But it's good to know that it's not difficult to use HSA funds for these things as I've thought about it. I have about 12K just sitting there, unused for years.

I paid $765 out of pocket for the complete panel through Marek, and while I'm glad to have all those tests done so I have a baseline level on those obscure ones, I realized pretty quickly that as a non-bodybuilder, most of that stuff wasn't necessary for me. Once I learned more I decided that Marek wasn't a service I needed to use any more. I have plans to do TRT at some point, once I lose more body fat, so to prepare for that I subscribed to Fitomics back in February, I think. I really want to stay on top of my bloodwork, and while I don't know for sure which route I'll do TRT (local physician, local clinic, telemedicine, self driven/UGL), I know I will want to do more bloodwork than required by any outside clinician.

Uncle Jackd, do you know for sure how long a lab requisition is good for? I'm always reading that it's 180 days for routine bloodwork. I'm toying with the idea of paying for the monthly Fitomics subscription to access the insider pricing(I currently do the $75/3months subscription), ordering all the blood work I want for the next 180 days, canceling the subscription to save money, and as long as I get the blood drawn within that 180 day window I should be good, right? Then whenever I want to get bloodwork again, I'll reactivate the insider subscription, and do it all over again. I've never done bloodwork that way, I always get the blood draw pretty quickly once I have a lab requisition. I'd hate to pay, wait weeks/months and then go to get my blood drawn and be told to take a hike because the lab requisition is too old.
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
59216 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 6:49 am to
quote:

I've never used my HSA for anything. I added money to it, and it just sits there, mostly invested, so it is getting a return/dividend


That’s what I did too. Until 3 kid’s medical bills got really expensive It’s slowly creeping back up.

quote:

paid $765 out of pocket for the complete panel through Marek,
ouch. I usually do CMP, CBC, lipids, Lipo(a), Test, sensitive E2, IGF, and PSA for under $100 with Fitomics.

quote:

Uncle Jackd, do you know for sure how long a lab requisition is good for?
180 days is correct. You can order multiple sets when there is a sale going on too. Just make sure it’s different transactions so it’s a separate req form.

I think you’d be find doing your plan. I don’t THINK you’d need to be an active member to use the pre purchased req form…

I just do the $75/3 month subscription. For me it’s well worth it because I draw labs every 3-4 months. It’s prob excessive but I like the peace of mind since I’m usually toying around with different peptides and protocols. My labs last week were my best yet, I was stoked.
Posted by Yeti_Chaser
Member since Nov 2017
9609 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 9:56 am to
quote:

$75/3 month subscription.

Interested to hear more about this. I used Marek previously and it's expensive af. So it looks like the subscription doesnt actually come with any specific labs. it allows you to pick whatever labs you want and they all have their own price in addition to the subscription, correct?

But I see that you can buy labs from them a la carte so what's the appeal of the subscription?
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
59216 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 10:00 am to
quote:

So it looks like the subscription doesnt actually come with any specific labs. it allows you to pick whatever labs you want and they all have their own price in addition to the subscription, correct?
The subscription only gives you the opportunity to buy labs with them. It is a la carte but the prices are crazy cheap compared to sites like marek.




Here is an example of my most recent order







quote:

what's the appeal of the subscription?
Order those same labs I posted above with marek. I’d be willing to get its $300 or close to it.
This post was edited on 4/24/25 at 10:05 am
Posted by Yeti_Chaser
Member since Nov 2017
9609 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 10:05 am to
So is it cheaper with a subscription than what they have listed here LINK

Or is the subscription just to pay for someone to interpret the results

Eta: nevermind I see you answered my question. Looks like it's cheaper with a subscription and you have access to tests that aren't listed in that link
This post was edited on 4/24/25 at 10:09 am
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
59216 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 10:10 am to
I didn't know you were able to purchase labs without being a member. I guess those are full price and prob comparable to other sites. But yeah, the “insiders” price is very cheap.
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
59216 posts
Posted on 4/24/25 at 12:15 pm to
So I had some down time at work and was curious. I ordered the same set of labs using Ulta, which is similar to marek. $331 compared to the $84 I paid. So I’d say the membership is definitely worth it.


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