Frequently asked questions
If your question isn't here, email hello@canary.health — we add the most-asked questions to this page every quarter.
About the platform
What is Canary, in one sentence?
A marketplace that connects you to a certified environmental inspector for testing in your home, plus a licensed clinician who signs the Letter of Medical Necessity so HSA / FSA pays for it.
Is Canary a doctor's office?
No. We're a marketplace. The clinicians who sign LMNs are independent licensed providers — physicians (MD / DO) or nurse practitioners — operating in their licensed scope. They document medical necessity for the testing; they don't take on ongoing care of you. The care stays with your treating clinician.
Are inspectors employees?
No. Independent contractors. They're vetted by Canary (credentials, license, BAA, insurance) and operate on the platform.
HSA / FSA & pricing
Does HSA / FSA really pay for environmental testing?
It may be eligible with a signed LMN. IRS Publication 502 covers medically necessary diagnostic testing and remediation, and the LMN documents that necessity — but eligibility ultimately depends on your plan administrator. Full explainer →
What does a typical workup cost out-of-pocket?
Starter panels range $215-$445. After HSA at a 24% marginal rate, $163-$338. Full pricing →
Is the LMN review fee covered too?
Yes. The provider's review is itself a telehealth visit eligible for HSA / FSA. It's included in the patient price and broken out on the receipt.
What if the provider declines to sign?
You can revise your questionnaire + resubmit, you can pay out-of-pocket and proceed, or you can cancel without charge. Declines tend to happen when the questionnaire didn't connect symptoms to an environmental hypothesis clearly enough — usually a re-submission fixes it.
What about remediation costs?
The LMN can cover clinically-indicated remediation alongside testing. If the report indicates mold remediation is necessary and the LMN includes that language, your remediation contractor's invoice is HSA / FSA eligible under the same LMN.
The inspection itself
How long does an inspection take?
Most home visits are 60-180 minutes depending on the service. Water-only sampling is the fastest; combo IAQ + allergen + water is the longest.
Do I have to be home?
Yes, ideally — the inspector needs your context on water history, where you spend the most time, where symptoms change. We can accommodate keyless access for vacation rentals + secondary homes if necessary.
What if the test comes back negative?
A negative test is a real answer. It rules out an environmental cause and frees the clinical workup to focus elsewhere. We consider a clean test a successful test.
How long until results?
5-7 business days for most analyses; 7-10 for PFAS and VOC. Rush turnaround (3-day) is available for pre-purchase situations.
What if I disagree with a lab result?
Request reanalysis. The lab's reanalysis fee (typically $35-90) applies; we don't charge a second platform fee.
Privacy & security
Who sees my health information?
The reviewing provider, only — not your inspector. The inspector sees your name, phone, and address only after accepting the booking, and never sees the LMN questionnaire. Full privacy policy →
Is my data encrypted?
Yes. AES-256-GCM at rest for PHI fields (diagnosis, symptoms, medications, name, phone, address). TLS 1.2+ in transit. Audit log is SHA-256 chain-linked.
Can I delete my account?
Yes. PHI is purged within 30 days. Receipts + LMNs are retained for the IRS-mandated 7-year window for HSA / FSA substantiation. The audit log retains pseudonymized references so the chain integrity is preserved, but your name is removed.
Will Canary sell my data?
No. Not de-identified, not aggregated, not anonymously, not ever.
If I'm a clinician
Can I be a provider in the network?
If you're an MD / DO / NP / PA licensed in at least one US state, yes. Provider page →
Can I refer my patients to Canary?
Yes. We provide a one-page handout your office can give to patients on a 90-day non-resolving plan. Email referrals@canary.health for the current PDF.
If I'm an inspector
What credentials do I need?
Depends on the service. CIH, CIEC, CMI, EPA Lead Renovator + Risk Assessor, active state inspector license. Credential requirements per service →
How are inspectors paid?
Stripe Connect, weekly. 15% platform fee on your quoted price. Inspector page →
About Canary the company
Who's behind Canary?
Canary is a product of Steps Ventures. Our team page is at /team. Our clinical advisory board reviews every science page on this site and every annual update to action levels.
Are you HIPAA-compliant?
Our technical controls are HIPAA-grade and described in our privacy policy. We're working through formal vendor BAAs, third-party risk analysis, and HIPAA attestation as part of our path to formal compliance certification. Security page →