COVID-19 Testing

NOTE!

GET VACCINATED:

VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. VACCINATION IS SAFER THAN RELYING ON NATURAL IMMUNTIY BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET COVID-19 YOU:

RISK SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH

NATURAL IMMUNITY MAY NOT PRODUCE A ROBUST IMMUNITY

YOU MAY GET COVID-19 AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MONTHS

YOU MAY HAVE SERIOUS LONG TERM RESIDUAL EFFECTS FROM COVID-19

NOTE:

Getting a negative test does not guarantee that you are free of the disease, and you may still be contagious to others. Up to 30% of negative results may be inaccurate (false negative).

Family gatherings are a significant source of transmission. We strongly encourage avoiding travel for family gatherings whenever possible unless you are fully vaccinated. The only way to assure that your loved ones do not get exposed is to stay home. Short of that, maintaining strict universal practices (hand-washing, masks, social distancing) is second best. A negative test should not be used as a “free pass” to replace these practices. If you plan to visit friends or family, get vaccinated and be two weeks past the second dose before you see them. We do not recommend traveling if you are not fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 can be a devastating illness. You and your loved ones could get seriously ill, have long term health problems, or die from this disease. We all need to work together to fight this pandemic. Your actions make a difference!

COVID-19 Testing Appointment Request

By entering your email address, you consent to receive your test result by email. (preferred)

TEST INFORMATION

We are offering both nasopharyngeal swab testing for the virus causing COVID-19 by RT-PCR and/or antibody screening by finger prick or blood draw for IgM and IgG antibodies to the novel coronavirus.

Nasopharyngeal swab testing by RT-PCR may detect coronavirus before symptoms occur in exposed individuals and up to a week or more throughout the illness. The highest viral loads are usually found in the first week and taper off after that. Very sick individuals can shed virus for weeks. Some individuals with mild illness may shed virus for longer than a week but much is unknown at this time.  The RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 have been FDA approved for emergency use.

Rapid Antigen Testing using the BD Veritor System for results in 15 minutes. This test is best utilized for symptomatic patients within the first five days of symptom onset.

 A negative test does not mean you don't have COVID-19! If you are sick and test negative, you should remain at home and quarantine until you have no symptoms for at least three days according to the CDC. If your test is positive, it is very likely that you have COVID-19.  It is possible to test negative one day and then test positive two days later. A negative test is not a free pass to limit social distancing at this time.

The nasopharyngeal swab PCR test is resulted by the next day.

Serology Tests:

 Rapid antibody screening uses a drop of blood to test for a person’s IgM and IgG immune responses to the virus. IgM antibodies increase in number 7-10 days after infection. IgG antibodies rise 14 days after infection and persist for months or years, offering potential immune defense against COVID-19. There is ongoing research underway to determine antibody protection following COVID-19 infection. 

 The finger prick test gives results in 10-15 minutes.

Serology testing by blood draw is available If the result of the rapid antibody test is indeterminate.

 If you are sick with COVID-19, please visit the CDC site for more information and instructions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

If you have insurance, I will bill them for the testing. Note: I am out of network as a provider, however, through the CARES ACT, your insurance company should cover your COVID-19 test, regardless of being in network and is supposed to waive any co-pay. If your insurance does not pay the full amount, you will be responsible for the balance, not to exceed $150.

The lab will bill for the PCR nasal swab test and your insurance will reimburse the lab. IGeneX lab charges $135 for the PCR test and St. Charles charges $140 for their molecular NAAT test.

If you are sick, get tested!

You should not forego having a test because you are uninsured.

If you are unsure what to do in your situation, please call me.