This blog was written by Molly Anderson, TAO’s Event and Program Manager
Readers, I’m going to let you in on a little, shameful secret- I’m really bad at remembering to schedule my annual checkup. There’s just something about picking up the phone, listening to hold music, and trying to find time in my schedule that I hate; and, don’t even get me started on the hassle that is getting myself to the appointment on time and with my insurance card in hand.
You may be like me. Nearly 40% of Americans missed their checkup in 2021. That means that almost half of us aren’t getting many important metrics checked each year. I don’t need to state the obvious, that’s not good news. Feeling healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that you are healthy. Luckily for us, we now have a solution. While not a replacement for a Doctor’s visit, the Reperio Screening Kit contains everything you’ll need to check on your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels- all from the comfort of your own home. (almost no hold music no longer required!) Plus, your results are typically ready in under 30 minutes. The FDA-cleared kit was shipped to my front door a few days after ordering it, and I couldn’t wait to try it out.
I was impressed by how easy the setup was. All I had to do was download the Reperio app via a QR code, press a button on the kit, and the app paired itself to the kit automatically. This process took roughly a minute, but many kits pair in seconds. The instructions are thorough (and at times, a little pedantic). Reperio uses a mix of written and video tutorials to walk you step by step through the screening process. The kit had me begin with the first of two blood pressure readings. The blood pressure cuff was fully automated and required very little knowledge to operate. I did have some difficulty getting the cuff to stay in place on my arm, but once the cuff was suitably placed the screening itself was a breeze. I loved being able to test this in the comfort of my own home. I often experience “white coat syndrome”, aka slight general anxiety experienced in doctor’s offices, that affects my blood pressure readings, so it was nice to be able to see what my baseline actually is. I enjoyed the breathing exercise the app has you do before the screening.
Lastly, the app had me do a simple blood test. The app thoroughly explained how to use the lancets, pipettes, and test strips. I appreciate that the blood part of the screening included double the amount of supplies that you needed. It gave me confidence that even if I somehow made a mistake, I still had another opportunity to get good results. The kit also includes an alcohol wipe for sanitizing and Band-aids and gauze for after the screening. I found this part of the screening to be the most complex in terms of the number of steps I had to follow; but, the thorough instructions helped make it feel attainable and easy.
In total, it took me 27 minutes to complete the screening, with most of that time being spent watching the how-to videos presented in the app and my results were ready 3 minutes after I completed the kit. While I did not need to use it, the app also has a chat feature that will connect you to a Reperio representative should you need any in-the-moment assistance.
I think this is a genius product- and I’m not just saying that to be kind. The ability to do simple health screenings within the comfort of your own home and with near-instantaneous results is a game changer for many Americans. Whether you previously lacked the time to schedule these types of appointments, put these appointments off because of anxiety, or are unable to regularly attend these appointments due to a disability, this kit puts these screenings back in the realm of possibility.
Personally, I have a younger brother with profound mental disabilities. Doctor’s visits are an all-day ordeal that tends to involve anti-anxiety meds, light sedation, and a lot of pep talks and even then, they usually can’t screen for everything they want. While completing the kit, I regularly found myself thinking that my brother would likely have no problem with this. Because the kit is easy and intuitive to use, he would likely be able to complete it himself, returning a much-needed sense of agency around the process. I want to reiterate that this kit is not a replacement for regular medical screenings, but anything that helps make the process easier for people is, in my book, a win.
Most of all, I love that this kit returns tangible, easy-to-understand results. For example, I’ve always known that I have low LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol, but before completing this screening I had no idea that I also had low HDL (aka “good) cholesterol. Thanks to these results, I now know that I should probably walk my dog a bit more frequently and add more variety to my diet.
Reperio is also committed to storing your health data safely. Results are stored in a HIPAA-compliant manner and are only available to the end user meaning even Reperio can’t access your results. However, your results can be emailed to a healthcare provider of your choosing or a family member if you wish.
Kits are currently available for $99, and while they are not in-network with any health insurance provider, you can use HSA/FSA funds to purchase them (although always a good idea to check with your FSA provider first). Reperio is offering a special discount to TAO members! The code TAO20 can be used to get 20% off your purchase. Visit https://www.reperiohealth.com/order to order!
Disclaimer: Reperio sent me this product in exchange for my honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
