To test, or not to test? That is the question. As more spas begin to tackle the opportunities presented by the move to wellness and wellbeing, one of the main decisions to be made is whether to offer medical testing.

In this issue, we examine the pros and cons of offering testing services in our Ask an Expert feature on page 52.

Test results – in the right hands – enable the prescription of more effective, customised treatments, superior outcomes for the guest and increased revenue for the spa.

However, there are pitfalls when it comes to offering medical testing and the process is not without risk for both operator and guest, especially if the spa doesn’t have full-time medical staff on-site, so the balance must be weighed.

Spas that introduce testing will find an uptake from guests who want to enhance their visit and leave in better shape, but there’s a bigger picture when it comes to motivation. Why do some choose to have tests done in a spa rather than in a medical facility? My strong inkling is that the decision may be related to insurance premiums.

Get tests done within the mainstream medical universe and your results will be kept on your medical records and, as a result, will be accessible by health insurers.

However, have your medical testing done in a private spa and the results are kept off the grid, meaning any adverse findings will not impact your ability to buy health or life insurances, or the premiums you pay for it.

In my stays at spas that offer medical testing, I’ve been intrigued to find large numbers of wealthy people who visit regularly for health tests. While the insurance aspect of the transaction is never articulated, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that’s one of the reasons this is happening.

So if your clientele extends to the wealthy, and you’re not yet offering testing, you may find there’s an appetite for these services, should you decide to introduce them.

Of course not everyone’s hiding their test results from the insurers; many guests rely on their spa break to give them a life-saving reboot. Testing can be a vital part of the process, because it leads to accurate treatment which gets results more quickly, enabling them to optimise their visit.

Whatever the motivation, if customers need it and you’re able to provide it, then testing can add a valuable and valued service which will elevate your business to another level, enabling you to offer a more rounded wellness service.

Liz Terry, editorial director @elizterry