Question 1

Is this the same monitor I'd get from a cardiologist?

Accepted Answer

Yes—we use the exact same Zio® patch technology that cardiologists order. The difference? You get it in days, not months.

Question 2

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

You'll make two payments. Heart Hippo charges $99, one time, paid at checkout — that covers the doctor who orders your monitor and interprets your report, and it's the only bill you'll ever get from us. The Zio® monitor itself is billed separately to your insurance by iRhythm, its maker; most patients end up paying $0–$395, depending on their plan. Prefer not to use insurance? You can self-pay $395 for the monitor instead.

Question 3

What's included in the $99?

Accepted Answer

Everything a cardiologist would do: your initial consultation, the physician review of your results, and a clear explanation of your heart rhythm. The Zio® patch itself is billed to your insurance (we handle this for you).

Question 4

How long does it take to receive the monitor?

Accepted Answer

The Zio® patch ships to your door by mail. Most orders arrive within 2–3 days.

Question 5

How long does monitoring take?

Accepted Answer

You'll wear the comfortable, waterproof patch for up to 14 days. It captures way more data than a quick EKG at the doctor's office. After you mail it back, a physician reviews your data and provides a detailed report.

Question 6

Do I have to wear the patch for 14 days?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. The Zio® patch can be worn for as little as 2 days, but the longer you wear it, the more likely it is to catch any irregular heart rhythms. Most patients wear it for 7-14 days to ensure comprehensive monitoring. Whenever you feel ready, you can mail it back, and we'll analyze the data.

Question 7

What can the Zio® patch detect?

Accepted Answer

The Zio® patch can detect a wide range of heart rhythm issues, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), bradycardia (slow heart rate), tachycardia (fast heart rate), skipped beats, premature beats, and other arrhythmias. It provides a detailed report that helps you understand what's going on with your heart.

Question 8

How do you get the data from the device? Is anything transmitted wirelessly?

Accepted Answer

Nothing is transmitted over radio or Bluetooth. The device records your heart rhythm continuously and stores the data internally. After your monitoring period, you simply mail it back — the data is then analyzed. Return shipping is included, so you don't pay anything extra to send it back.

Question 9

What if I don't return the patch?

Accepted Answer

The patch must be mailed back to be analyzed — no return, no results. Returning it is easy and free: prepaid return packaging is included in the box. If you never send the monitor back, you'll be responsible for its full replacement cost.

Question 10

What if I don't have insurance?

Accepted Answer

No problem — you can still get tested. Choose self-pay during checkout: the monitor is a flat $395, plus the standard $99 consultation fee.

Question 11

What if I already had a normal EKG?

Accepted Answer

EKGs only capture a few seconds of data. The Zio® patch monitors continuously for up to 14 days, catching irregular rhythms that brief EKGs often miss.

Question 12

Can I do this without a referral?

Accepted Answer

Yes! No referral needed. Our medical team will evaluate your symptoms and determine if heart monitoring is appropriate for you.

Question 13

How does the consultation work?

Accepted Answer

Complete the intake, and a physician will respond via chat or email. In some states, you may receive a brief phone call to confirm details.

Question 14

Does my insurance cover it?

Accepted Answer

The Zio® patch is covered by most insurance throughout the United States, including commercial insurance and Medicare. iRhythm (the maker of the Zio® patch) bills your insurance directly for the monitor — most patients end up paying $0–$395, depending on their plan. That amount is set by your insurance company, not Heart Hippo, and any bill for it may arrive weeks later.

Question 15

Can I find out my out-of-pocket cost for the monitor before I order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. iRhythm (the maker of the Zio® patch) can check your insurance and confirm what the monitor will cost you out of pocket. Call iRhythm at 1-888-693-2401 — they're available 24/7.

Question 16

Why did I receive a bill from my insurance? I already paid the $99.

Accepted Answer

The $99 covers Heart Hippo's service: the doctor who orders your monitor and interprets your report. The Zio® monitor itself is billed separately to your insurance by iRhythm, its manufacturer. Depending on your plan — especially your deductible — your insurance may pass part of that cost on to you, often weeks later. That bill comes from your insurance company, not from Heart Hippo.

Question 17

I received a bill from my insurance company that's more than I expected.

Accepted Answer

It's like when your regular doctor orders an X-ray: your doctor's bill is completely separate from the X-ray facility's bill, and your doctor has no control over the price of the X-ray. Similarly, Heart Hippo has no control over what iRhythm or your insurance company charges for the monitor. What you owe depends on your plan — mainly your deductible and coverage level. If you have questions about the amount, your insurance company can walk you through how it was calculated.

Question 18

Is it cheaper to go through my regular doctor?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. The cost of the Zio® patch through your insurance is generally the same no matter who prescribes it — Heart Hippo or your family doctor.

Question 19

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

You can get a full refund of the $99 fee anytime before your monitor ships — just email hello@hearthippo.com to request it. Once your monitor has shipped, the $99 fee is non-refundable.

Question 20

Who manufactures the Zio® patch?

Accepted Answer

The Zio® patch is designed, manufactured, and shipped by iRhythm Technologies, Inc.—the company that invented it. Heart Hippo is an independent telehealth group; we're not affiliated with, endorsed by, or owned by iRhythm. Our role is to make getting a Zio® patch simple and fast from home: we connect you with a licensed physician who can order the device and review your results. Zio® is a registered trademark of iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

Question 21

Is this the same as a Holter monitor?

Accepted Answer

A Holter monitor is the traditional term for long-term cardiac monitoring. You might have heard your doctor refer to the need for a "Holter" monitor. Often misspelled as Holder or Halter, it's named after its inventor, Dr. Norman Holter.

A Zio® patch is preferred by most patients to a traditional Holter monitor—it's much more comfortable and gives more complete data:

Zio® Patch (by iRhythm):
• Small, water-resistant adhesive patch worn on the chest
• Up to 14 days continuously
• No wires, more comfortable, can shower with it
• Higher diagnostic yield for intermittent arrhythmias due to longer wear time

Traditional Holter Monitor:
• Small device with electrodes and wires attached to the chest
• Usually 24–48 hours
• Bulky, can't shower, often taped awkwardly
• Shorter monitoring window may miss irregular rhythms

The #1 Heart Monitor Used by Cardiologists — No Office Visit Needed

Step 1: Tell us what's happening

5-minute symptom intake

Medical team review

Fast response

Step 2: We ship a heart monitor to your door

Clinical-grade technology

Fast shipping

Insurance handled

Step 3: Get real answers

14 days of monitoring

Waterproof & comfortable

Clear results

Comfortable enough for everyday life

Pricing

How billing works with insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Listen to your heart

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