Function Health is a membership-based preventive health testing service founded by Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician widely known for his work in functional medicine. Launched with the mission of making comprehensive biomarker testing accessible and affordable, Function Health offers members access to over 100 lab tests twice per year — far more than what a typical annual physical covers. The core idea is simple: most chronic diseases develop silently over years, and standard insurance-covered bloodwork only catches a fraction of the warning signs. Function Health fills that gap by testing biomarkers that most doctors never order — things like Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), Lipoprotein(a), fasting insulin, omega-3 index, and a full toxic metals panel. Membership costs $499 per year at the standard rate, or approximately $365 per year when using a referral or promo code. That includes two complete rounds of testing (typically spaced six months apart), physician review of all results, and access to a digital dashboard where you can track your biomarker trends over time.
A Function Health membership includes over 100 individual biomarker tests, divided across several categories: cardiovascular health, metabolic health, hormones, inflammation, nutrients, organ function, cancer screening, and toxic exposures. You receive two full testing rounds per year, typically scheduled six months apart, at Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp locations nationwide. Key tests that set Function Health apart from standard bloodwork include: - **ApoB (Apolipoprotein B):** Considered by many cardiologists to be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than standard LDL cholesterol. Most insurance plans do not cover this test. - **Lp(a) (Lipoprotein a):** A genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor that affects roughly 20% of the population. Rarely ordered by primary care physicians. - **Fasting Insulin:** An early indicator of insulin resistance, often years before blood sugar levels become abnormal. Standard bloodwork typically only tests glucose. - **Omega-3 Index:** Measures the percentage of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes. Linked to cardiovascular health and inflammation. - **Toxic Metals Panel:** Tests for mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium — environmental exposures that accumulate over time and are almost never screened for. - **Galleri Cancer Screening:** A multi-cancer early detection blood test that screens for over 50 types of cancer. This test alone costs $949 if ordered independently. Every set of results is reviewed by a licensed physician, and you receive a detailed report through the Function Health dashboard highlighting which biomarkers are optimal, borderline, or out of range.
Function Health's standard membership costs $499 per year. Using a promo or referral code (such as PHILDESHAIM10) brings the price down to approximately $365 per year — that works out to roughly $30 per month for access to 100+ biomarker tests twice annually. To put that in perspective: ordering even a subset of these tests independently through Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp, even with insurance, can easily exceed $1,000-$3,000 depending on your plan's coverage and your deductible status. Many of the specialty tests Function Health includes (ApoB, Lp(a), Omega-3 Index, toxic metals) are either not covered by insurance at all or require specialist referrals and prior authorization. The membership includes everything: lab draws, physician review, the digital dashboard, and both testing rounds. There are no hidden fees, no copays, and no surprise bills. What you pay upfront is what you pay — period.
This is where BiomarkerList brings something no other review can offer. We didn't just read about Function Health's pricing — we built a comprehensive database comparing what you'd actually pay for equivalent biomarker testing through traditional insurance. Our dataset covers 14 major insurance providers across 42 states, analyzing the real out-of-pocket costs for eight key biomarker tests: Basic Metabolic Panel, Lp(a), Fasting Insulin, ApoB, Omega-3 Index, Toxic Metals Panel, CRP, and Vitamin D. We factored in copays, coinsurance, deductible status, lab facility fees, and physician review fees. The results were striking. The average total cost of getting these tests through insurance came to $2,416 per year — compared to Function Health's $365 with a promo code. That's an average savings of $2,051 per year, and that's only comparing eight biomarkers. Function Health tests over 100. Perhaps more importantly, many of the most valuable biomarkers simply aren't available through standard insurance at any price. You can't get an ApoB test, an Omega-3 Index, or a toxic metals panel through most insurance plans without a specialist referral and a documented medical reason.
One of the most overlooked aspects of the Function Health value proposition is not just the cost savings — it's access to tests that insurance gatekeeps entirely. Through our research across 14 major insurers, we found that the following biomarkers are consistently excluded from standard coverage or require specialist referrals with documented medical necessity: - **Lp(a):** Despite being a major genetic cardiovascular risk factor, most insurers classify this as a specialty test. Many plans simply don't cover it. - **ApoB:** Increasingly recognized as superior to LDL-C for cardiovascular risk assessment, but still not part of standard lipid panels covered by insurance. - **Omega-3 Index:** Almost never covered by insurance. If you want to know your omega-3 status, you're paying out of pocket. - **Toxic Metals Panel:** Environmental toxin screening is considered 'wellness' testing by most insurers and excluded from coverage entirely. - **Full Hormone Panel:** Comprehensive hormone testing (testosterone, estradiol, DHEA-S, cortisol, thyroid antibodies) typically requires an endocrinology referral. - **Galleri Cancer Screening:** This multi-cancer early detection test is not covered by any major insurance plan we surveyed. It costs $949 if ordered independently. Function Health includes all of these in its standard membership — no referrals, no prior authorization, no appeals process.
Based on our analysis, Function Health delivers the most value for these groups: **Active health optimizers:** If you're someone who already tracks your diet, exercise, sleep, and supplements, comprehensive biomarker data is the missing piece. Function Health gives you objective data to validate whether your health strategies are actually working. **People with family history of chronic disease:** If heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or autoimmune conditions run in your family, early detection through comprehensive biomarker testing can literally save your life. Tests like Lp(a) and ApoB can identify cardiovascular risk decades before symptoms appear. **Those frustrated with limited insurance testing:** If you've ever asked your doctor for a specific test and been told 'insurance won't cover it' or 'there's no medical necessity,' Function Health removes that barrier entirely. You get 100+ tests without needing anyone's permission. **Biohackers and quantified self enthusiasts:** Twice-yearly comprehensive testing creates a longitudinal dataset that lets you correlate lifestyle changes with objective biomarker improvements. This is invaluable data you simply cannot get any other way.
Function Health is not the right fit for everyone, and we think it's important to be honest about that: **People who only need basic annual bloodwork:** If you're healthy, have no family history of chronic disease, and are satisfied with the CBC and metabolic panel your doctor orders each year, the additional biomarkers may not provide actionable value for you right now. **Those with excellent insurance that covers specialty tests:** A small percentage of insurance plans — typically high-end PPO plans from large employers — do cover many of the specialty tests Function Health offers. If your plan covers ApoB, Lp(a), and comprehensive hormone panels with minimal out-of-pocket cost, the savings calculation changes significantly. **People not interested in tracking biomarkers over time:** The real power of Function Health comes from twice-yearly testing and trend analysis. If you're not going to review your results, track changes, or adjust your health strategies based on the data, the investment is less justified. **Those on a very tight budget:** While $365/year (with a promo code) is a fraction of what equivalent testing costs through insurance, it's still a meaningful expense. If you're struggling to cover basic healthcare costs, this is not a priority purchase.
After analyzing real cost data across 14 insurance providers and 42 states, our conclusion is clear: Function Health offers exceptional value for anyone serious about comprehensive biomarker testing. The average American would pay $2,416 per year to get just eight of these tests through their insurance — and many of the most important tests aren't available through insurance at any price. Function Health gives you over 100 biomarker tests, twice per year, with physician review, for $365 with a promo code. The service isn't perfect. It's not a replacement for a primary care physician, the upfront annual cost can be a barrier, and some people may find comprehensive results anxiety-inducing without proper medical guidance. But for its target audience — health-conscious individuals who want data-driven insights into their biology — it's the most cost-effective and comprehensive option available today. Our rating: 4.3 out of 5.
Function Health offers exceptional value for anyone serious about comprehensive biomarker testing. Our data across 14 insurers and 42 states shows average savings of $2,051/year compared to getting the same tests through insurance — and many of these tests simply aren't available through traditional insurance at any price.
Use promo code PHILDESHAIM10 to save on your membership.
Get Function Health — Save $25Perry — Independent Health Data Researcher
Perry built BiomarkerList.com to bring data-driven transparency to preventive health testing costs. With a background in data analysis and a personal interest in health optimization, Perry independently researches and compares lab testing services to help consumers make informed decisions. This review is based on real cost data from 494 insurance comparisons across 42 states.
Paid Referral Disclosure: We may receive a fee if you join via this page. We are not doctors or part of Function Health. All data and opinions presented are independently researched. Medical information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.