Capital BlueCross partnership brings low-cost laboratory testing to midstate

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The health care provider will partner with the health care technology company to provide high-quality laboratory services at a lower cost in areas where medical diagnostic fees are high because of a lack of health care resources.

“Our partnership with Capital BlueCross is centered on a common mission — to provide access to high-quality, affordable health care, so that people everywhere can own their health and take action to live their best lives. Capital BlueCross’ commitment to its members to deliver the most innovative advances in care should be applauded,” said Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos’ founder and CEO.

The lab technology was cleared by the FDA last week and is the first lab to publish all of its prices, which are at least 50 percent below the Medicare reimbursement rate. Theranos’ technology offers a full menu of tests from full fertility panels to cholesterol assessments. The company has also agreed to continue sending laboratory-developed tests to the FDA for review and approval. The test proficiency data is published on their website.

Some of the testing is available with a finger stick instead of a blood draw, which can be less intimidating for patients. The tests are said to process quickly, providing fast results.

The new laboratory testing will be available at Capital BlueCross health and wellness stores, and at a network of Theranos Wellness Centers across Pennsylvania, according to a news release.

This news comes in the wake of Capital BlueCross’ announcement to open a wellness store on July 15, which will be a partnership with Healthy You Café, located at Hampden Marketplace in Hampden Township.

Capital BlueCross currently has two stores, one in Lehigh Valley and the Harrisburg store opening next week. There are more in the works, but they are not yet under lease. Theranos will have a draw station within the wellness stores, and the laboratory is also planning for future locations. Theranos currently has a lab in development in Central Pennsylvania.

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Although Capital BlueCross does not have exclusivity with Theranos, this union is Theranos’ first entry into the Pennsylvania marketplace. Capital BlueCross members still have access to other laps and hospital systems for testing, but in the future it could be exclusively Theranos.

Capital BlueCross Senior Vice President for Business and Network Development Aji Abraham said, “Should this take off, should the market penetration increase,then we’ll talk about what additional steps we’ll take.”