Oral Swab Testing for Alcohol-Pricing Q&A

QUESTION

We are implementing oral swab alcohol testing and are challenged with how to price this compared to the traditional EBT. Initially, we thought oral swabs would be priced less than an EBT, but there are actually more labor and kit costs. We are struggling with whether to just charge the same, more, or less than the EBT.

ANSWER

First of all, you should not charge LESS than what it costs you to do the test. That doesn’t make sense. The price for onsite alcohol tests usually ranges from $1 to $10 per test, according to a recent search.

Drug and alcohol testing typically costs from less than $10 to $50 or more for an at-home saliva or urine test for alcohol, a single illegal drug, or multiple illegal drugs – or for a hand-held digital breathalyzer tool.

For example, Walmart charges $9 for a five-pack of saliva test strips for alcohol. Walgreens charges $10 for an at-home drug urine test for marijuana. Drugstore.com charges $28 for the at-home drug test, which tests urine for six types of illegal drugs and offers the option to mail the test to a laboratory for confirmation of preliminary results. Drugstore.com charges $38 for the First Check Home 12 Drug test, which checks urine for seven types of illegal drugs and five types of prescription drugs and also offers mail-in verification. Walmart charges $39-$53, depending on the brand, for a digital breath monitor for alcohol.

Drug or alcohol testing typically costs $50-$80 or more for a drug and alcohol urine or saliva test performed at a laboratory. For example, Any Lab Test Now charges $49 for a 10-drug urine laboratory test and $69 for a five-drug saliva laboratory test. Health Testing Centers charges $69 for a laboratory urine test for nine types of illegal drugs and $79 for a laboratory test for nine types of illegal drugs plus alcohol.

Would suggest you do a little secret shopper in your market to get the current market price for the test to help determine the price you want to charge.


Updated Pulmonary Function Testing Information

QUESTION

Do you have any information to share about the firefighters or other industries requiring PFTs that might be helpful to share with clients? We are leaning towards not providing these until we can get things under control again in our state.

ANSWER

You can view the latest information as of July 10, 2020: ACOEM Updated Guidance for Spirometry & Fit Testing on our website on our COVID-19 updates page.

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