Convenient testing
Get a lab requisition online to be assessed for type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or high cholesterol.
“This is the best and easiest service I have ever used! It’s so convenient.”
Kate, a Felix patient
Detailed diagnosis
Receive an in-depth review of your lab work with a licensed healthcare practitioner.
On-demand support
Connect with your healthcare practitioner at any time to discuss treatment plan options.
“This is the best and easiest service I have ever used! It’s so convenient.”
Kate, a Felix patient
Testing biomarkers
How diabetes testing works at Felix
Tell us about your health
Answer a few simple questions about your health.
Complete your lab work
Receive a lab requisition and visit your local lab to complete your tests.
Review your results
Your healthcare practitioner will provide a detailed review of your results and deliver a diagnosis.
Ongoing care and support
Get regular testing and unlimited access to your healthcare practitioner through chat.
Diabetes is more common than you think
How to prepare for a diabetes test
Understanding HbA1C test results
Find out where you stand
Trusted by over 1 million Canadians
Trusted by over 1 million Canadians
Exceptional care delivered by practitioners
Exceptional care delivered by practitioners
Access our network of experienced healthcare practitioners across Canada.
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Dr. Kelly Anderson, MD
Medical Director, Felix
Pricing
Questions about diabetes testing? We have answers
Diabetes Testing
What Does an HbA1C Blood Test Measure?
Although your lab testing tracks several key metabolic markers, healthcare practitioners use HbA1C as a blood test for diabetes diagnoses, which is why HbA1C tests are so important and often suggested for patients believed to be prediabetic or diabetic. In some cases, you may hear these referred to as glycated hemoglobin tests or simply A1C tests.
The specific purpose of HbA1C blood tests is to check your average blood sugar levels over the last 3 months, through interpreting your HbA1C results. Your practitioner may suggest HbA1C for glucose (blood sugar) testing, in order to provide you with a clear diagnosis and be able to create an efficient management plan for you.
The results of your test can be held against standard HbA1C measurements to determine the stability and strength of your ongoing blood sugar levels. The HbA1C calculator shows that A1C levels range from:
- 5.9 mmol/L or less = normal (or low HbA1c levels)
- Between 6.0 mmol/L to 6.4 mmol/L = prediabetic levels
- Above 6.5 mmol/L = diabetic (high HbA1c levels)
Anything above 6.5 mmol/L is considered high HbA1C levels. Left uncontrolled and unmonitored, this is what a dangerous level of A1C can look like.
What Does a Fasting Glucose Test Measure?
A fasting glucose test is similar to the meaning behind HbA1C blood tests, which is to help provide a clear diagnosis for diabetes; although fasting glucose tests measure blood sugar levels over a much shorter period of time than HbA1C test measurements.
Fasting glucose tests are taken by measuring your blood sugar levels after you haven’t eaten or drank anything (other than water), for at least 8 hours.
The results from the fasting glucose test can help your practitioner gain a clearer insight into your current blood sugar levels, in order to provide an effective management plan for you. You can calculate results from fasting glucose tests by using this range:
- Less than 6.0 mmol/L = normal
- 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L = prediabetic
- 7.0 mmol/L and above = diabetic
Anything above 7.0 mmol/L is considered high blood sugar levels and could lead to you receiving a diagnosis for diabetes.
Why is HbA1C a Crucial Test for Diabetes Diagnosis?
Unlike many blood tests, which only give you an estimate of your current or recent blood sugar levels, HbA1C blood test measurements look at an average from a much longer period of time - 3 months.
This larger picture gives your practitioner the opportunity to evaluate things like your current blood sugars vs your average regular blood sugar levels, as well as help create a better image of how much your blood sugars fluctuate.
Together with other blood tests for diabetes diagnosis, using HbA1C for glucose testing can help your practitioner gauge how severe your prediabetes or diabetes may be, as well as create the most effective long-term management plan to fit your needs.
What are Normal HbA1C Levels for Diabetes?
The normal range for blood tests results using the HbA1C measurement system is 6.0 mmol/L or lower.
SIDE NOTE: It’s important to remember that while high blood sugar levels are always a concern with diabetic or prediabetic patients, severely low blood sugar levels can be just as dangerous.
Anything below 5.0 mmol/L is considered to be low HbA1C levels, which may need to be addressed through low blood sugar management techniques, such as improving dietary habits, etc.
How Often Should You Get Tested?
It’s a good idea to get blood tests for diabetes done every 3-to-6 months, if you’ve already been diagnosed as prediabetic, diabetic, or you know that you’re at a high risk for diabetes due to other factors (i.e., weight, lifestyle, genetics, etc.).
This will give you and your practitioner the opportunity to monitor your ongoing blood sugar levels, so that you can ensure your treatments and management techniques are functioning effectively, and your blood sugar levels are staying relatively stable day-to-day.
Felix is happy to offer our patients periodic reminders for the purpose of getting HbA1C measurements done, as a courtesy.
This, alongside other potential blood tests for diabetes, will help give your practitioner the clearest understanding of your individual condition, so that they can suggest personalized blood sugar treatment and management suggestions.
Is Diabetes Testing Covered by Insurance in Canada?
Many blood tests for diabetes are covered by insurance. However, whether yours will be covered will depend on a number of factors that you’ll need to keep in mind, such as:
- The province in which you live
- The type of diabetes testing that your practitioner is suggesting
- Whether you meet the eligibility criteria to have these tests covered
- The reason why these tests are being suggested for you
- Your practitioner’s assessment of medical necessity
If you have more questions about blood tests for diabetes at Felix (i.e., HbA1C, fasting glucose tests, etc.), feel free to reach out to us at hello@felixforyou.ca with your questions.
Our team of friendly experts are always happy to provide you with direction and guidance. This way, you can continue taking back control of your health and quality of life, so you can get back to living life on your terms - the way it should be.
Online Visits
How does the visit work?
After creating an account, you will complete a medical assessment for evaluation by one of the Felix healthcare practitioners.
During your assessment, you will have the opportunity to send your practitioner questions via secure messaging.
In most cases, practitioners will complete your assessment with secure messaging alone but sometimes they may determine you require an audio or video visit and/or further diagnostic testing to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
If your practitioner has determined a prescription treatment is appropriate, they will approve your visit and write you a prescription. Our pharmacy will then ship your prescription to your home.
You’ll be able to message your healthcare practitioner if you have questions or want to make changes to your treatment at any time.
Do I need to complete my online visit at a scheduled time?
No. We use an asynchronous telemedicine model so you can complete your online visit in your own time and we save your progress so you can come back later to finish it.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
Does the online visit require a phone or video appointment?
Most assessments do not require a phone or video conversation. Once a prescriber has reviewed the info in your assessment they will respond to you via secure instant messages that you can access within your Felix account.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
How quickly will a healthcare practitioner review my online visit?
You can expect to receive a response from a healthcare practitioner within 24 hours of submission. If you’ve been waiting longer than this, please email hello@felixforyou.ca and we’ll look into it.
Can I just get the treatment and skip the online visit?
No. A visit with a licensed healthcare practitioner is required for all treatments currently provided through Felix’s service.
Shipping
How long will it take to get my treatment?
Not long. After completing your assessment, a practitioner will generally respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.
Treatment plans will be processed within 2-3 business days of your approval date if there is nothing blocking fulfillment.
All packages are shipped via Express Post, which usually takes 2-3 business days. You will receive an email with your tracking number once your treatment has been shipped.
Will my shipment be affected by the Canada Post strike?
Because we work with multiple delivery partners, your shipments won’t be affected by the Canada Post Strike. We are working to ensure that your medication will be processed and shipped according to schedule. Learn more about how to navigate the service disruption here.
Is your packaging discreet?
Absolutely. All Felix shipments arrive in a nondescript blister package so you can have your treatment shipped wherever makes sense for you as long as there is someone there to sign for it.
Do I have to be home to receive my package?
A signature upon delivery may be required.
How much does it cost to ship my treatment?
There is currently no cost to have your treatment shipped to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.
Insurance
Am I covered by my insurance?
Treatment coverage varies greatly between different insurance plans.
The good news is that if you are covered, Felix can bill your insurer directly, and then process your treatment plan at no additional cost to you. We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during the online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for before processing your treatment plan.
Insurance coverage for treatment plans through Felix doesn't include the cost of your visit.
Is the online visit covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
A Felix online visit is considered asynchronous since it is conveniently completed through a secure chat bases system. Currently, asynchronous visits are not covered by insurance or provincial health plans so you will be charged a visit fee, depending on the category of treatment you are requesting.
Is the medication covered by my insurance or provincial health plans?
Medication coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the drug name to determine your coverage.
For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:
Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered drugs here.
Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered drugs here.
Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered drugs here.
Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered drugs here.
Is birth control covered by OHIP in Ontario?
OHIP+ covers some birth control for eligible residents of Ontario who are under 25 years old and do not have private insurance. You can check if your birth control medication is covered here. Make sure to upload your Ontario health card during your online visit so our pharmacy partners can apply your coverage directly.
Felix 101
What is Felix?
Felix is Canada’s first truly integrated healthcare platform. We provide on-demand treatment for everyday health needs like weight loss, mental health, sexual health, and more. Founded in 2019, our digital-first approach to healthcare includes everything from diagnosis to prescription — all accessible from the comfort of home.
Does Felix replace my doctor?
No. Felix provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a treatment plan for certain conditions, but our service does not replace your primary care provider. For matters that extend beyond obtaining a lifestyle treatment safely and easily, we encourage you to consult your primary health practitioner in person — whether for checkups, personal health concerns, or to inform them about your current treatments or treatment plans.
Can I be accurately assessed remotely?
Absolutely. Our online assessments have been designed to ask all the necessary questions required for diagnosis. We've worked with specialists to create an assessment process that can provide sufficient information for the healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you are eligible for a prescription and craft an appropriate treatment plan.
It's an emergency. What do I do?
Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room immediately. Felix is not intended for medical emergencies. Once the emergency has been addressed or resolved, contact your prescribing practitioner to inform them of your experience as this may impact your current treatment plan.
Who can use Felix?
Anyone who is 18 years or older older (16 or older for acne and birth control prescriptions), and is located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Ontario. We cannot ship treatments outside of these provinces at this time.
Our Healthcare Practitioners
How do I communicate with my Felix practitioner?
Your Felix practitioner will message you via secure instant message. You’ll receive an email when you have a new message and can respond to these from within your Felix account.
Can I see the same Felix practitioner after my initial assessment?
You will have the ability to chat with your designated Felix practitioner for the entirety of your prescription length. When your prescription is nearing completion, we will email you to submit a checkup visit so one of our prescribers can renew your prescription.
Our matching system is based on availability, so we can’t guarantee you’ll be paired with the same healthcare practitioner at your renewal visit.
Who are the practitioners that will be reviewing my online visit?
They are all licensed, real Canadian healthcare practitioners! All online visits submitted via Felix are reviewed by them and they must be licensed in your province to prescribe you the medication. It is these healthcare practitioners, and not Felix, who determine whether or not to write you a prescription, as well as the appropriate dosage (where applicable).
What does your medical team do?
Our medical team and board members help oversee each of our treatments to ensure our medical assessments are thorough, safe, personalized, and provide best-in-class care. Our pharmacists provide treatment support through medication counselling and education.