Frequently Asked
Questions

Everything you need to know about functional cardiology, insurance, HSA/FSA, and your path to optimal cardiovascular health.

Coach Corwin - Ready to answer your questions

About 3 Billion Beats

3 Billion Beats is a healthcare technology company specializing in functional cardiology. While your primary care physician (PCP) manages overall health, we focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of cardiovascular risk through advanced diagnostics and personalized health intelligence — empowering you with the knowledge to optimize your heart health.

The standard of care often relies on basic lipid panels and managing symptoms (like prescribing statins). We utilize 50+ advanced biomarkers (including ApoB, Lp(a), inflammation markers, and insulin resistance tests) combined with AI analysis to understand why disease is developing. All services are ordered and supervised by our affiliated physician practice, licensed in all 50 states. Our goal is health optimization and proactive care, not just management.

This is a critical point. As our CMO Betsy Shor emphasizes, 75% of heart attack victims have "normal" LDL cholesterol levels according to standard panels. Standard panels miss crucial information like LDL particle count (ApoB), Lp(a) — a genetic risk factor affecting ~20% of people — and underlying inflammation.

Heart disease is often an immune and metabolic issue, not just a plumbing problem. Our advanced testing identifies these hidden risks long before they manifest as an event.

Functional Cardiology looks at the body as an interconnected system. Instead of just focusing on the heart in isolation, it examines how metabolism, inflammation, genetics, hormones, and nutrition impact cardiovascular health. It seeks to answer "why" the disease is occurring and aims to restore optimal function rather than just suppressing symptoms with medication.

3 Billion Beats is a healthcare technology company and Management Services Organization (MSO). We provide the technology platform, AI analysis, and administrative coordination. All clinical services — including lab ordering, CCTA imaging, and medical oversight — are provided by our affiliated physician-owned Professional Corporation (PC), whose supervising physician is licensed in all 50 U.S. states.

This MSO-PC structure is the same model used by many leading healthcare organizations. It ensures that clinical decisions are always made by licensed physicians while allowing us to deliver the best possible technology experience.

Insurance, HSA & FSA

Yes — for certain clinical services. Our Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) cardiac imaging service supports insurance coverage. When you elect to use insurance, we verify your eligibility and coverage in real time, coordinate prior authorization when required, and facilitate claims through our affiliated physician practice.

For our lab testing packages, we operate on a transparent self-pay model. This allows us to order the most comprehensive advanced panels — including markers like ApoB, Lp(a), and inflammation panels — without the restrictions insurance companies often place on preventive testing. Many insurance plans deem these tests "not medically necessary" until after a cardiac event has occurred. We believe in proactive testing.

Yes. Our lab testing packages and clinical services are physician-ordered preventive health services and qualify as HSA/FSA-eligible medical expenses. You can pay directly with your HSA or FSA debit card at checkout — no reimbursement paperwork needed.

This includes all lab testing packages (Essentials, Optimizer, and Elite), CCTA imaging services, and health monitoring subscriptions that include clinical oversight.

When you elect to undergo a CCTA through our platform, we handle the insurance process for you:

  • Eligibility Check: We verify your insurance coverage in real time using your insurance card information.
  • Prior Authorization: If your plan requires it, we coordinate prior authorization through our affiliated physician.
  • Facility Coordination: We schedule your scan at an in-network imaging facility near you.
  • Cost Transparency: You'll see your estimated out-of-pocket costs (copay, coinsurance, deductible) before committing.

If you prefer not to use insurance, self-pay / cash-pay pricing is always available with transparent upfront costs.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, HSA/FSA debit cards, and PayPal. For CCTA imaging, we also support insurance billing. All transactions are processed securely through PCI-compliant payment processors.

Testing & Process

Once you select a package, our affiliated physician reviews and orders your lab panel. You receive a requisition and visit a Quest Diagnostics location near you for a simple blood draw. Once the results are ready, they are securely uploaded to your 3 Billion Beats dashboard, where our AI analyzes the data and generates your personalized Health Story with actionable insights.

Depending on your package, we test up to 99+ biomarkers. Key advanced markers include:

  • Advanced Lipids: ApoB, Lp(a), LDL Fractionation (particle size).
  • Inflammation: hs-CRP, MPO, Lp-PLA2, Fibrinogen.
  • Metabolic: Fasting Insulin, A1C, HOMA-IR calculation.
  • Nutrients: Vitamin D, B12, Homocysteine, Omega 3/6 panel.
  • Hormones & Thyroid: Full thyroid panel, cortisol, DHEA-S (Elite package).
  • Genomics: MTHFR, COMT, and other cardiovascular-relevant genetic markers (Elite package).

For a complete list, please visit our What's Included page.

Yes. For the most accurate results, particularly for lipid and metabolic panels (like insulin and triglycerides), we require you to fast for 10-12 hours before your blood draw. Water and black coffee are generally acceptable.

All lab work is performed at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. With thousands of patient service centers across the U.S., there is likely a location convenient to you. After your physician-ordered requisition is generated, you can walk into any Quest location — no appointment needed in most cases.

CCTA Cardiac Imaging

A Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive cardiac imaging scan that provides a detailed 3D view of your coronary arteries. Unlike stress tests, which typically detect blockages only after they reach 70%+, a CCTA can identify plaque buildup at much earlier stages — allowing for intervention before a cardiac event occurs.

We coordinate the entire process: physician ordering, insurance verification, facility scheduling, and AI-powered plaque analysis through our Cleerly AI integration.

In many cases, yes. CCTA is a well-established diagnostic imaging procedure (CPT 75574) and is covered by most major insurance plans when ordered by a physician with appropriate clinical indication. Our platform verifies your coverage in real time and provides cost estimates before you commit.

A self-pay / cash-pay option is always available if you prefer not to use insurance.

Cleerly is an FDA-cleared AI platform that analyzes your CCTA images to quantify coronary artery plaque — including plaque composition, volume, and stenosis. Traditional CCTA reads simply report whether blockages exist. Cleerly goes further, providing a detailed breakdown of plaque types (calcified, non-calcified, and low-density) that can inform more precise treatment decisions.

When available, this AI-powered analysis is integrated directly into your 3 Billion Beats dashboard alongside your lab data for a comprehensive cardiovascular picture.

Corwin AI Coach

Corwin is your AI health coach — a conversational health companion built into the 3 Billion Beats platform. He has persistent memory of your health history, labs, goals, and every conversation you've had. You can talk to him via in-app chat, voice, or SMS text message.

Corwin helps you understand your biomarkers, track your progress, and stay accountable to your health goals. He provides personalized wellness guidance and always recommends consulting your physician for medical decisions.

Corwin provides informational wellness guidance based on your health data — he can explain what your biomarkers mean, discuss the science behind functional cardiology, help you understand trends in your data, and support your health optimization journey. However, Corwin is not a substitute for your physician. He will always recommend discussing medical decisions, treatment plans, and clinical concerns with your licensed healthcare provider.

Absolutely. All data is encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS/HTTPS). Your conversations with Corwin are stored securely on HIPAA-aligned infrastructure powered by Google Cloud. We never sell, rent, or share your health data with third parties for marketing purposes. For full details, please see our Privacy Policy.

Pricing & Logistics

We offer three comprehensive lab testing packages, each including physician-ordered labs at Quest Diagnostics, AI-powered analysis, and 6 months of Corwin AI coaching:

  • Essentials ($399): 24 core cardiometabolic biomarkers + Basic AI coaching.
  • Optimizer ($899): 45 biomarkers including ApoB, Lp(a), and advanced inflammation panels + Pro AI coaching. Best Value.
  • Elite ($2,699): 99+ biomarkers + genomic analysis + hormones + Elite AI coaching with priority access.

A free tier is also available, which includes a full cardiovascular assessment, AI Council analysis, and your personalized Health Story.

For full details, visit our Pricing page.

The frequency depends on your initial results and the optimization plan you undertake. Generally, we recommend a comprehensive panel (like the Optimizer or Elite package) annually. If significant interventions are made (dietary changes, supplements, etc.), follow-up testing on key markers is often recommended 3-6 months later to track progress.

Yes. Our affiliated physician practice is licensed in all 50 U.S. states. Lab work is performed at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide, and CCTA imaging is available through our network of imaging facilities across the country. Corwin AI coaching is accessible from anywhere via app, web, or SMS.

Getting started is simple. Download the 3 Billion Beats app, complete your health assessment, and choose a lab testing package. Our team handles the rest — from physician review and lab ordering to AI analysis and your personalized Health Story. You can also chat with Corwin right here on our website to learn more before you sign up.