Is Function Health Worth It? We Analyzed the Data Across 42 States

Function Health charges $499 per year at the standard rate, or approximately $365 per year when using a promo code like PHILDESHAIM10. That flat fee includes over 100 biomarker tests, two complete testing rounds per year (typically six months apart), physician review of all results, and access to a digital dashboard for tracking trends. There are no copays, no coinsurance, no deductible requirements, and no surprise bills. For comparison, we calculated the total out-of-pocket cost of getting eight key biomarker tests through insurance: Basic Metabolic Panel, Lp(a), Fasting Insulin, ApoB, Omega-3 Index, Toxic Metals Panel, CRP, and Vitamin D. Across our full dataset of 594 insurer-state combinations, the average annual cost through insurance is $2,416. That means Function Health saves the average member approximately $2,051 per year — and that is comparing only 8 of the 100+ tests included.

Let us assume you have a high-quality PPO plan from a large employer — the kind with low copays, reasonable coinsurance, and a manageable deductible. Even in this best-case scenario, our data shows you would likely pay between $1,400 and $1,800 per year for these eight biomarker tests, assuming you have already met your deductible. But here is the catch: even with excellent insurance, you probably cannot get several of the most valuable tests. ApoB, Lp(a), Omega-3 Index, and the Toxic Metals Panel require specialist referrals with documented medical necessity at virtually every insurer we surveyed. Your primary care doctor cannot simply order them on your behalf. Function Health removes this barrier entirely — you get every test, no referrals needed. Verdict for good insurance: Function Health still saves you $1,000-$1,400 per year on the tests insurance does cover, plus gives you access to the tests insurance will not cover at all.

If you have an HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan), HMO, or a plan with high coinsurance rates, the math becomes even more compelling. Our data shows that members of these plans pay an average of $2,600-$3,200 per year for these eight biomarker tests — and that assumes you eventually meet your deductible through other healthcare spending. If you have not met your deductible (which is common early in the plan year, or for generally healthy people who do not use much healthcare), you are paying full list price for lab work. A single comprehensive blood panel can cost $800-$1,500 at list price. Many people on high-deductible plans simply skip preventive testing because the out-of-pocket cost is prohibitive. Verdict for average/high-deductible insurance: Function Health saves you $2,200-$2,800 per year and eliminates the deductible problem entirely.

Without insurance, biomarker testing is extremely expensive. Cash-pay prices for lab work through Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp vary significantly, but a comprehensive panel comparable to what Function Health offers can easily cost $3,000-$5,000 if you order each test individually. Some direct-to-consumer lab services (like Walk-In Lab or Ulta Lab Tests) offer discounted cash-pay pricing, but even through these services, a comparable set of tests would cost $1,500-$2,500. And you would still need to find a physician to review the results, which adds another $200-$400. Verdict for no insurance: Function Health is by far the most cost-effective option, saving you $1,100-$4,600 per year while providing physician review and a tracking dashboard at no extra cost.

Beyond the cost savings, there is a category of value that is harder to quantify but arguably more important: access. Several of the biomarkers Function Health tests are simply not available through standard insurance channels, regardless of how much you are willing to pay. **Lp(a) — Lipoprotein(a):** A genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor. Elevated Lp(a) increases heart attack and stroke risk by 2-4x. Roughly 20% of the population has elevated levels, and most do not know it. Testing requires a specialist referral at 11 of 14 insurers we surveyed. **ApoB — Apolipoprotein B:** Many cardiologists now consider ApoB a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol. It is not included in any standard lipid panel covered by insurance. **Omega-3 Index:** Measures omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes. Low levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and systemic inflammation. Classified as a wellness test and excluded by all 14 insurers. **Toxic Metals Panel:** Screens for mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium accumulation. Not covered by any insurer in our dataset. **Galleri Cancer Screening:** A multi-cancer early detection blood test covering 50+ cancer types. Costs $949 independently and is not covered by any insurance plan. The inability to access these tests through insurance is not a minor inconvenience — it is a systemic gap in preventive healthcare that Function Health directly addresses.

Based on our analysis of real cost data across 14 insurance providers and 42 states, Function Health is worth the investment for the majority of health-conscious individuals. The math is straightforward: even in the best-case insurance scenario, you are likely paying more through insurance for fewer tests, with more hassle and restrictions. At $365 per year with a promo code, Function Health costs less than a single out-of-network specialist visit at most insurance plans. You get over 100 biomarker tests, twice-yearly testing, physician review, and a digital dashboard — with zero copays, zero referral requirements, and zero surprise bills. The service is not for everyone. If you only want basic annual bloodwork and have no interest in comprehensive biomarker data, it is more than you need. But if you want real visibility into your health — the kind that catches problems years before symptoms appear — Function Health is the most cost-effective and comprehensive option available today. Our recommendation: use promo code PHILDESHAIM10 to bring the annual cost down to approximately $365, and use the BiomarkerList comparison tool to see exactly what you would pay through your specific insurer in your state.