FOLX Health review
FOLX Health is a queer- and trans-led telehealth platform built specifically for LGBTQIA+ adults. Beyond gender-affirming and primary care, its clinicians order STI testing — either at a Quest lab or via at-home kits — and prescribe treatment and PrEP, all in an explicitly affirming, no-gatekeeping setting (about 81% of its clinicians identify as LGBTQIA+). It's a membership model with lab costs billed separately. Here's our full review.
Check prices at FOLX HealthEasySTD may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rating, the cons we list, or which services we recommend.
- Our rating
- 4.0/5
- affirming care + STI testing
- Results
- ~5 days
- Quest lab results
- Coverage
- 50 states
- membership telehealth
- Membership
- from $25/mo
- labs billed separately
Our verdict
Is FOLX Health worth it?
FOLX Health is our pick for LGBTQIA+ people who want sexual-health care without the discomfort or gatekeeping many face in mainstream settings. It's a membership platform where affirming clinicians — about 81% of whom identify as LGBTQIA+ — order STI testing (at a Quest lab or via at-home kits), prescribe treatment, and manage PrEP, all in one place across all 50 states. It accepts several major insurers. The honest trade-offs: lab costs aren't included in the membership (you pay separately or via insurance), specific STI panel prices aren't published, and the membership-plus-visit model costs more than a one-off self-pay test. If affirming, joined-up care matters to you, it's an excellent home.
Check prices at FOLX HealthFirst 10 days of membership free
The full review
FOLX Health in depth
Our hands-on take on what FOLX Health gets right, where it falls short, and how it stacks up.
Care built by and for LGBTQIA+ people
FOLX Health's whole premise is removing the discomfort and gatekeeping many queer and trans people meet in mainstream clinics. It's queer- and trans-led, with about 81% of its clinicians identifying as LGBTQIA+, and the model is explicitly affirming. Practically, that means one care team across all 50 states handles STI testing — ordered at a Quest lab or via at-home finger-prick kits — alongside treatment, PrEP, primary and gender-affirming care. For someone who wants joined-up sexual health from clinicians who get it, that continuity is the real draw, and it accepts several major insurers.
The membership math
FOLX runs on a membership (from about $25/month after a free 10-day trial) plus visit fees of roughly $159 initial and $79 follow-up, or an insurance copay. The catch is that lab costs aren't included — they're billed separately through insurance or self-pay — and specific STI panel prices aren't published, so you ask your care team. That makes it pricier than a one-off self-pay test, and Quest results take up to about 5 days. If you'd rather have flat-price test-and-treat without a membership, Wisp covers all 50 states; to bill an at-home kit to insurance with PrEP and birth control bundled in, Nurx does that.
How it scores
FOLX Health rated by category
We score every service on the things that actually matter, then weight them into one overall rating.
Overall · out of 5
Affirming care
4.9/5Built by and for LGBTQIA+ people; ~81% LGBTQIA+ clinicians and no gatekeeping.
Joined-up care
4.5/5STI testing, treatment, PrEP, primary and gender-affirming care under one membership.
Testing options
4.2/5Clinician-ordered Quest labs or at-home kits; PrEP monitoring built in.
Coverage & insurance
4.2/5All 50 states and accepts several major insurers (Cigna, BCBS MN, Evernorth and more).
Speed
3.6/5Quest lab results take up to ~5 business days.
Cost structure
3.4/5Membership plus visit fees, and lab costs are billed separately (not included).
Is it right for you?
Who FOLX Health is — and isn't — for
Choose FOLX Health if…
- You want LGBTQIA+-affirming, judgment-free sexual-health care
- You want STI testing, treatment and PrEP managed in one place
- You want a choice of Quest labs or at-home kits
- You want a clinician who understands queer and trans health
- You have insurance FOLX accepts, or want ongoing membership care
Look elsewhere if…
- You want a cheap one-off test without a membership
- You want lab costs included in one flat price
- You need the published panel price before signing up
- You want results faster than ~5 days
The honest take
FOLX Health pros & cons
Pros
- Authentically LGBTQIA+-built — ~81% LGBTQIA+ clinicians, no gatekeeping
- Full-service: STI testing, treatment, PrEP, primary and gender-affirming care in one membership
- Both in-person (Quest) and at-home kit options for STI labs
- Available in all 50 states; accepts several major insurers
- Discreet at-home kit shipping; HIPAA-compliant
Cons
- Lab costs are not included in the membership — billed separately or via insurance
- Specific STI panel names and prices aren't published — you ask your care team
- Membership-plus-visit model costs more than a one-off self-pay test
- Some services (e.g. therapy) are only available in select states
- Results take up to ~5 business days
Step by step
How FOLX Health works
-
1
Join FOLX
Start a membership (first 10 days free, then from about $25/month) and set up your account.
-
2
Talk to your care team
Message your clinician or book a visit (about $159 initial / $79 follow-up, or an insurance copay) to discuss STI testing.
-
3
Test your way
Your clinician orders labs — visit a Quest location or use an at-home finger-prick kit shipped discreetly.
-
4
Results & treatment
Results post to your patient portal in about 5 business days; your clinician reviews them and prescribes treatment if needed.
What it costs
FOLX Health pricing
Membership from about $25/month (first 10 days free); visits roughly $159 initial / $79 follow-up or an insurance copay. Lab costs are billed separately (insurance or self-pay) — specific STI panel prices aren't published.
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Membership | from $25/mo |
| Initial visit | $159 (or insurance copay) |
| Follow-up visit | $79 (or insurance copay) |
Screens for
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
Before you buy
FOLX Health: the fine print
- Sample collection
- Clinician-ordered Quest lab draw or at-home finger-prick kit
- Insurance & payment
- Accepts several major insurers; membership + visit fees apply; labs billed separately
- Doctor consult
- Affirming clinicians evaluate, prescribe treatment and manage PrEP
- Privacy
- HIPAA-compliant; discreet at-home kit shipping
Good to Know
FOLX Health review FAQs
Common questions about FOLX Health — cost, accuracy, results and how it works.
Does FOLX Health do STI testing?
Yes. FOLX clinicians order STI testing — chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B/C among others — either at a Quest location or through at-home kits, and can prescribe treatment and manage PrEP in the same affirming care relationship.
Who is FOLX Health for?
It's built specifically for LGBTQIA+ adults. About 81% of its clinicians identify as LGBTQIA+, and the model is explicitly affirming and free of the gatekeeping many queer and trans people encounter in mainstream care.
How much does FOLX cost?
It's a membership (from about $25/month after a free 10-day trial) plus visit fees (around $159 initial / $79 follow-up, or an insurance copay). Lab costs are billed separately — specific STI panel prices aren't published, so ask your care team.
Does FOLX take insurance?
Yes — it accepts several major insurers (such as Cigna, Evernorth and BCBS Minnesota), and labs can be billed through insurance or paid out of pocket.
How long do results take?
Quest lab results typically post to your patient portal within about 5 business days, after which your clinician reviews them with you.
Is FOLX available in my state?
FOLX operates in all 50 states, though not every service is available everywhere — therapy in particular is limited to select states.
Editorial standards
Medically reviewed · Updated
Reviewed by Jordan Vance, Lead Reviews Editor · Independent testing & product reviews
Evaluates at-home and lab STD-testing services hands-on against a fixed rubric — accuracy & lab credentials, price, privacy, turnaround and support — and discloses every affiliate relationship. Reviews are editorial, not medical advice; clinical claims are checked by our medical team.
3 Sources
Provider
- FOLX Health — primary & sexual health https://www.folxhealth.com/primary-care
- FOLX Health — official site https://www.folxhealth.com/
Clinical guidance
- CDC — STI screening recommendations https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
See how we review STD testing services — the categories we score, how we verify pricing, and why our affiliate links never change a rating.
Compare
How FOLX Health compares
FOLX Health versus the other STD testing services we've reviewed, side by side.
| Service | Our rating | Type | Results | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOLX HealthThis review | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results | LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health | You're here |
| MISTR | 4.5 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear | Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit | Read review |
| LetsGetChecked | 4.3 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Best overall at-home kit | Read review |
| STDcheck | 4.3 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (secure online portal) | Fastest results & widest lab network | Read review |
| Priority STD Testing | 4.2 | Lab visit | 24–72 hours via secure online portal | Same-day testing with treatment | Read review |
| Q Care Plus | 4.2 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit | PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment | Read review |
| Visby Medical | 4.2 | At-home kit | About 30 minutes, read in the app | Fastest at-home result (30 min) | Read review |
| Walk-In Lab | 4.2 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels) | Widest test catalog & lab choice | Read review |
| HealthLabs | 4.1 | Lab visit | 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days) | Price match & broadest panels | Read review |
| Labcorp | 4.1 | Lab + at-home | 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits) | Big-lab testing, in person or at home | Read review |
| CVS MinuteClinic | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days | In-person evaluate & treat | Read review |
| myLAB Box | 4.0 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Widest at-home panel & couples kits | Read review |
| Personalabs | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Physician-backed ordering | Read review |
| Quest Diagnostics | 4.0 | Lab + at-home | 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal | The national lab itself | Read review |
| Sesame | 4.0 | Lab visit | Often under 24 hours from collection | Transparent cash-pay labs | Read review |
| Ulta Lab Tests | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Quest catalog breadth | Read review |
| Wisp | 4.0 | At-home kit | 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Test and treat in one place | Read review |
| Any Lab Test Now | 3.9 | Lab visit | 3–5 business days after collection | Walk-in storefront testing | Read review |
| PlushCare | 3.9 | Clinic & treat | 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up | Virtual doctor visit + treatment | Read review |
| Private MD Labs | 3.9 | Lab visit | First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days | Low upfront cost & money-back | Read review |
| Request A Test | 3.8 | Lab visit | Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account | Established low-cost lab ordering | Read review |
| Rapid STD Testing | 3.7 | Lab visit | 1–2 business days via secure online portal | Concierge testing with treatment | Read review |
| DirectLabs | 3.6 | Lab visit | 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal | Cheap individual tests | Read review |
| Everlywell | 3.6 | At-home kit | About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample | Retail pickup & wellness range | Read review |
| Nurx | 3.5 | At-home kit | About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample | Billing insurance for an at-home kit | Read review |
FOLX HealthThis review
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results
- Best for
- LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health
MISTR
4.5- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear
- Best for
- Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit
LetsGetChecked
4.3- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Best overall at-home kit
STDcheck
4.3- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (secure online portal)
- Best for
- Fastest results & widest lab network
Priority STD Testing
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–72 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Same-day testing with treatment
Q Care Plus
4.2- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit
- Best for
- PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment
Visby Medical
4.2- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 30 minutes, read in the app
- Best for
- Fastest at-home result (30 min)
Walk-In Lab
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels)
- Best for
- Widest test catalog & lab choice
HealthLabs
4.1- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days)
- Best for
- Price match & broadest panels
Labcorp
4.1- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits)
- Best for
- Big-lab testing, in person or at home
CVS MinuteClinic
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days
- Best for
- In-person evaluate & treat
myLAB Box
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Widest at-home panel & couples kits
Personalabs
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Physician-backed ordering
Quest Diagnostics
4.0- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal
- Best for
- The national lab itself
Sesame
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Often under 24 hours from collection
- Best for
- Transparent cash-pay labs
Ulta Lab Tests
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Quest catalog breadth
Wisp
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Test and treat in one place
Any Lab Test Now
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 3–5 business days after collection
- Best for
- Walk-in storefront testing
PlushCare
3.9- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up
- Best for
- Virtual doctor visit + treatment
Private MD Labs
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days
- Best for
- Low upfront cost & money-back
Request A Test
3.8- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account
- Best for
- Established low-cost lab ordering
Rapid STD Testing
3.7- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 business days via secure online portal
- Best for
- Concierge testing with treatment
DirectLabs
3.6- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal
- Best for
- Cheap individual tests
Everlywell
3.6- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Retail pickup & wellness range
Nurx
3.5- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Billing insurance for an at-home kit
Top alternatives to FOLX Health
If FOLX Health isn't quite right, these are the closest options we'd point you to instead.