Asynchronous Online Platforms Can Reduce Healthcare Costs for STI and HIV Testing: Evaluating GetaKit.ca in Ontario,...

IntroductionRates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in Canada, while clinic capacity for testing and treatment remains constrained.MethodsTo improve access to STI screening, we developed GetaKit.ca, a web-based platform in Ontario, Canada that allows individuals to complete an online risk assessment, receive STI testing recommendations, and access laboratory-based testing with follow-up through partnerships with local public health units. As part of the service evaluation, we conducted a two-year cost analysis comparing GetaKit with (1) public health STI clinic models in Ontario and (2) the publicly funded Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) system.ResultsFrom August 2023 to July 2025, 15,837 requests for STI testing were made through GetaKit.ca, with testing requests increasing by 264% from year 1 to year 2. The overall positivity rate was 3.8%, remaining stable across both years. Total GetaKit costs were $248,098 in year 1 and $427,914 in year 2, corresponding to $72.73 and $34.44 per person tested, respectively. Comparable per-person costs were $49.39 under OHIP in both years and $68.59 (year 1) and $54.95 (year 2) in the STI clinic model. Although implementation-year costs were higher with the GetaKit model, per-person costs declined by more than 50% in year 2, resulting in savings of $14.95-$20.51 per test compared with traditional models.ConclusionTogether, these findings support online STI platforms as a cost-efficient complement to in-person services that can enhance timely diagnosis and treatment while helping to reduce longer-term healthcare costs associated with untreated infections.