Stone Oak Highlights:
How to Get Tested for Coronavirus
August 2020
So you’ve got symptoms of COVID-19,
or maybe you’ve come in contact with someone who has it. What do you do now? I gathered information from local urgent care clinics as well as CVS to make the testing process as easy as possible for you.
Firstly, let's go over the types of tests that could be right for you: There’s a molecular test, which detects active coronavirus infections by way of nasal swab. Then there’s a rapid antigen test, which, although you get results in minutes, has a higher rate of false negatives than the molecular test. Then there is an antibody test. This checks your blood for antibodies, meaning the test can tell if you may have been previously infected, but does not detect if you have a current infection.
If you have insurance, CVS Pharmacy offers free testing ($50 for those without insurance). Once you’ve screened yourself on the CVS website, you make an online appointment (you can book it up to two days in advance), drive to the testing center and wait in your car for instruction. From there you pull up to the drive through window and an attendant gives you all you need to self-test. After self-swabbing, you drop the kit in the appropriate designated place, and wait for your results. If you choose the rapid test, you’ll get your results within 30 minutes. If you choose the molecular test, you’ll get your results within 6-10 days online. CVS does not administer antibody tests.
In urgent care clinics, it is most likely that you will need to make an appointment up to 24hrs beforehand given the high volume of folks applying for testing. If you have insurance, there will be a small (or sometimes free) co-pay to see the doctor. At CareNow, you pay for the doctor visit, and, once the doctor determines whether or not you need a test, the cost of the test is billed over to the CovidCare Act, which waives the price of the test. If you’re deemed unfit to be tested for COVID, you must pay for the doctor’s visit.
To read the online version on the Stone Oak Highlights website, click here.