rt pcr test for travel cvs

The New Travel Essential

Before catching your flight, there's one last thing to check off the list. Test and travel confidently with Labcorp’s trusted COVID-19 PCR tests.

Preferred Pre-Travel Test

Fast results, tests for your family.

Testing Before You Travel

Pixel by Labcorp customers get their COVID-19 PCR test results quickly, allowing them to travel safely.

Request a test kit online or purchase at a store

Request a test kit online or purchase at a store near you.

Most kits purchased online arrive within 2 days.

Collect your sample at home

Collect your sample at home using a short, painless nasal swab.

Ship back same-day for faster turnaround time.

Ship your sample back to our lab

Most kits arrive within 2 days.

Access your results online

On average, results are received in 1-2 days from when samples arrive at the lab.

Where to Purchase Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Kits

Available at over 6,000 Walgreens stores nationwide. Kits are located in the pharmacy. Check in-store availability at  walgreens.com .

Available at select CVS stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Kits are located in the pharmacy. Check in-store available at  CVS.com .

On-demand Delivery

Available to be delivered by DoorDash® and Instacart® through Walgreens. Check availability at  walgreens.com .

Know the Travel Guidelines for Your Destination Before You Go

*Rules for COVID-19 testing and quarantining can vary greatly among U.S. states. Some destinations may not accept test results from self-collected samples; please check with your destination to confirm. Visit the CDC’s  Travel Planner  to be routed to the relevant health department in order to understand what’s required before traveling to that destination. Labcorp OnDemand services are only available in the US. If you are traveling internationally, you’re unable to ship kits from international locations.

The CDC has different travel guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated people—and recommends delaying travel until you’re fully vaccinated. Click  here  for the latest information on domestic travel and  here  for the latest on international travel. The agency’s website notes that even fully vaccinated people are at risk of getting and spreading new COVID-19 variants when traveling.

Labcorp is a leader in the fight against COVID-19

At Labcorp, we’re on a mission to improve health and improve lives. Our network of CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories has performed over 38 million COVID-19 molecular (PCR) tests, and their effectiveness has been proven for the U.K., South African and Brazilian variants. With the first FDA authorized at-home kit, we are continuing to be a global leader in the fight against COVID-19. Learn how Labcorp is developing new ways to help fight the crisis.

Can I purchase a kit for travel?

The Labcorp OnDemand® COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit is a RT-PCR test that is designed to determine active infection of SARS-CoV-2. Many destinations require negative PCR results within a specific timeframe. We recommend that you reach out to your destination’s government for their specific requirements and timelines before making your purchase. Some destinations may not accept test results from self-collected samples.

How many kits can I purchase at once?

You can purchase up to 5 kits at one time by adjusting the quantity in your cart. Each kit is shipped individually and should be returned in the packaging included in each kit.

Can kids take the Labcorp OnDemand COVID-19 test?

The test is authorized for ages 2 and older.  All people aged 18 years or older can collect their own sample.  Children between the ages for 14-17 can collect their own sample under adult supervision. Children 2-13 can use this test when samples are collected by an adult.  

Can I ship a kit internationally?

Labcorp OnDemand® services are only available in the US.  Unfortunately, we're unable to ship kits internationally.  

How long does it take to get COVID-19 test results back?

Currently the average time to deliver results is 1-2 days from when your sample is received at the lab.  Our labs process samples seven days a week.  

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How Do I Get a PCR Test in Time for Travel?

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Although the United States accepts certain rapid tests for travel, there are plenty of other destinations that require a PCR test for entry—which can present a serious problem for travelers. Given the current shortage of PCR tests, finding an available appointment can be an impossible challenge—and then you might not even get your results back within the 72 hour window that most destinations require. So how can you get a PCR test in time for your flight? We’ve found some options for travelers. 

One warning: Be prepared to pay for the convenience of getting a PCR test back in time for your flight. Most health insurance plans do not cover COVID tests for travel, and many rapid PCR test providers will charge extra for quick results. 

Rapid PCR Tests

Check to see if your destination accepts rapid PCR tests. These RT-PCR tests offer PCR accuracy but results can be delivered quickly (sometimes in less than an hour). Rapid PCR testing sites can be found at many airports, but if you don’t have an appointment, lines can be extremely long (and you won’t be guaranteed to be able to get a test, no matter how long you wait), so schedule in advance if you can.

What Do You Need for Documentation of Recovery from COVID to Enter the U.S.?

XpresCheck operates many of the airport testing locations, and they offer Rapid PCR tests for $250 with results in as little as 60 minutes. Appointments can be booked online. 

CVS Minute Clinic

Some CVS Minute Clinics offer Rapid PCR tests, which promise results “within hours.” However, appointments for these tests are extremely limited, so you may struggle to actually book one. Lab tests cost $139 out of pocket. 

Urgent Care

Try your local Urgent Care center, as many are now offering rapid PCR test options. Make sure you call or book online (rather than just showing up) as wait times are extremely long at most Urgent Care centers across the United States.

10 COVID Travel Tips from Public Health Experts

PCR Tests With Fast Turnaround Times

Currently, many PCR testing locations are taking up to a week to return results. If you need results quickly for travel, there are some companies that specialize in COVID tests for travel, promising to get results back within a certain time frame.

If you’re relying on a test that requires you to mail in a sample (or doesn’t guarantee results in a certain amount of time), you may wish to book a second test with another company just in case your first one doesn’t come back in time. 

Amazon COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC

Even Amazon has gotten into the COVID test game, offering a FDA authorized PCR test for $39.99. This is a mail-in test, but Amazon claims you will get results within 24 hours of the sample arriving at the lab. However, this means you could be cutting it close for getting results in time for your flight if there are any mail delays. 

Passport Health

Passport Health focuses on providing tests specifically for travel or to return to work/school. They do not generally offer tests to symptomatic individuals or close contacts, meaning it may be easier to find a PCR appointment here than at other overwhelmed testing centers. Passport Health has locations in: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New JErsey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C. 

However, note that Passport Health does not guarantee results within 72 hours. 

5 Apps You Need for COVID-19 Travel

Looking for a RT-PCR test for Hawaii? Azova offers two easy options, both are which approved for the Hawaii Safe Travels Program. Choose from an in-person test for $119 or an at-home saliva RT-PCR test (with video observation) for $114.99. Be sure to follow Azova’s guidelines on when to book your test in order to get results in time for your test as the at-home test requires you to mail in a sample for processing. 

Same-Day COVID Testing Services

Many local companies have sprung up to meet the needs of travelers who need rapid PCR test results. If you Google: “Same-day PCR tests near me” you should be able to find a clinic or concierge medical service that will guarantee COVID results in time for travel. Some will even send a technician to your house to collect your sample, saving you the time and hassle of going to get a test. Of course, these concierge services tend to be pricey, and you can expect to pay anywhere between $150-$450 for these tests. 

Here are some examples of same-day PCR testing companies:

• Innovative Express Care , Chicago
• Longwood Health , Boston
• Carecube , New York CIty
• Drip Hydration , Various locations

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How to Get a COVID Test for International Travel

A negative covid test continues to be a requirement to travel the world—including for entry into the united states. here’s how to get the right test when you need it..

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COVID tests are the must-have travel item of the pandemic.

Photo by Shutterstock

The need for COVID testing doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. Even as more people get vaccinated worldwide against COVID-19, variants such as Delta and Omicron have put numerous countries on high alert. Once again, there are new—and in some cases, stricter—COVID testing requirements for travel.

As of December 6, the United States began requiring that all international arrivals get tested for COVID no more than one calendar day before flying to the United States , regardless of vaccination status. That’s down from three days prior, making it even more of a last-minute challenge to get tested before flying to the U.S.

France and the United Kingdom also reintroduced COVID testing requirements in December for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. The sudden developments served as a reminder of how quickly travelers sometimes have to scramble to find tests that satisfy new rules—for many, it’s overnight. How do you stay on top of so many changes? How do you know what you need? Look here for starters.

Whether travelers are in search of a COVID test before heading abroad or need to re-enter the U.S., here are the (numerous) options and ways to get a COVID test for international travel.

What kind of COVID test is required to enter the U.S.?

According to the official order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID tests that satisfy the U.S. entry requirement include a PCR test, antigen test (including a rapid antigen test), or an approved home or self test , which means that there are some easier options than a PCR test, the results for which can take longer to obtain—though, there are services that offer “rapid PCR” tests, usually for an added cost.

CDC-approved COVID self tests for international travel

The BinaxNOW Antigen home kit is sold as a six-pack for $150, which comes out to $25 for each kit.

Courtesy of Abbott

For travelers who are worried about obtaining a PCR or antigen test within a day of flying back to the U.S., there is the option of bringing a set of COVID-19 home or self tests with them. The CDC has approved a handful of self tests for international travel. They include the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Home Test , the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test with Azova , and Cue COVID-19 tests —all of which we have reviewed .

The tests can be self-administered—meaning you do your own nasal swab—but to meet the CDC requirements, they must be paired with a supervised telehealth video call in real time. (The above tests include the telehealth call service.) Travelers, take note: You must have a reliable internet connection wherever you plan to administer the test, so logging into the telehealth video call isn’t an issue.

Related We Reviewed the CDC-Approved COVID Home Tests for International Travel—Here’s What to Know

How to find a testing site abroad

Want to find out if the country you’re planning to visit has COVID testing sites that can turn around results within a day? A great place to start is the U.S. State Department’s detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories , which include an entire section on COVID-19 testing for each country. Right up front, the section answers the question of whether PCR and/or antigen tests are available to U.S. citizens and whether test results are reliably available within one calendar day. It also often includes information about where and how to obtain such tests.

Another good resource is TestforTravel.com , where you can search any international destination for testing centers and filter by the specific type of COVID-19 test you’re looking for.

The good news is that testing has ramped up worldwide, and it has become more widely available at international airports and hotels. Travel companies—including airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators—and travel advisors are also stepping in to help international travelers either actually get tested or find testing sites in their destination. The bad news is that pricing varies wildly. Tests can run anywhere from several dollars to several hundred dollars, which can make travel budgeting a bit of a nightmare.

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have all developed resources to provide passengers with international testing information. American is doing so with the VeriFly app , a global health pass that allows users to more easily upload their health data.

Through its United app, United has added a feature called the “ Travel-Ready Center ” (located in the “My Trips” section of the app or online at United.com ). Once passengers access the Travel-Ready Center, they can identify COVID-19 travel requirements for upcoming trips, find local testing options, and upload proof of test results (as well as vaccination status).

Delta, too, has developed an easy COVID-19 testing search function on its website through which travelers can find testing center locations in numerous global destinations.

How to find a COVID test in the U.S. to travel internationally

First and foremost, you need to make sure you’re up to date on the latest entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit, or even just enter—there’s never been a better time to fly nonstop. As we have seen throughout the pandemic, these rules can change very quickly at times.

Again, the U.S. State Department’s country-specific COVID-19 advisories are a great place to start to find up-to-date entry rules and requirements. We have also rounded up our favorite interactive map tools that provide updated global COVID-19 travel information.

Once you know what’s required, whether you need a PCR or antigen test, for example, and within what time frame (between two and three days, or 48 to 72 hours, is the most common requirement), you can begin to track down testing options near you.

Mail-in COVID self tests

COVID testing throughout the U.S. is patchy at best in terms of availability and reliability, and it varies enormously from city to city, county to county, and state to state. Earlier this month, President Biden announced that at-home COVID tests will become more available and will be covered by private insurance plans. Additional details will be available in January, but there are a few home or self tests that travelers can stock up on with mail-in options that may qualify for health insurance reimbursement and that satisfy certain international government requirements for entry. (Of course, if the COVID test entry requirement is a very tight time frame—say, two or three days prior to travel—these mail-in options might not work.)

Note that these tests can be used for travel from the U.S. to international destinations that will accept the results , not the other way around. The tests that work for inbound travel to the U.S. from abroad were mentioned above and were reviewed by AFAR editors.

Here are some of the options we have found for self tests that could work for travel:

• EverlyWell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC ($109 per test, or discounted for $81.75 with code GIVEMORE): This FDA-authorized PCR test is delivered within two to eight business days of order, so it should be ordered at least a couple of weeks before travel. Once you receive it, take the self-administered test and mail it the same day using the included overnight delivery label. Upon receiving the sample, the lab will provide results within 24 to 48 hours.
• Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Test At-Home Collection Kit ($119 per test): An FDA-authorized PCR test that is typically delivered within two days of order. The self test includes a FedEx overnight label that travelers use to send the sample back to the lab, where results are processed within one to two days.
• LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Pre-Flight Test & Lab Report ($109 per test): A home testing kit that travelers can order in advance. The company advises at least five days prior to travel (but why not stock up even earlier than that?). After collecting the sample yourself using a nasal swab, you then send it to the lab with a prepaid next-day delivery label, and results can be expected within 24 to 72 hours after arriving in the lab. This is also an FDA-authorized PCR test.

In-person COVID testing options in the U.S.

Large pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens , healthcare networks, and county and state health agencies are among the numerous entities that offer COVID testing but not always with the guarantee of receiving results within a specific two- or three-day window. Travelers may need to rely on pricier local private providers and urgent care centers (such as CityMD and Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York and COVIDCheckToday in Southern California, Denver, Las Vegas, and Miami) to get a test for travel quickly. DMCOVID-19 Test is a nationwide testing service that does house calls and offers same- and next-day results—for a hefty fee; same-day services will run you around $300 and next-day around $220.

Getting tested at the airport

Another option (or backup option if waiting until just before departure is a little too nerve wracking for you) is to get tested at the airport.

XpresSpa Group’s XpresCheck brand now has COVID-19 testing locations at 11 U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Dulles, Houston, Newark, New York (JFK), Phoenix, Seattle, and San Francisco. Services include a standard PCR test with results within 48 to 96 hours (for $75) and a rapid PCR test with results within 60 minutes (for a much heftier $250). Beyond XpresCheck, countless U.S. airports have their own testing facilities as well now, so travelers can look into options at their local hub.

U.S. airports that have COVID testing facilities include:

• Los Angeles International Airport
• Oakland International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• Tampa International Airport
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Hawai‘i)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

What happens if you test positive?

“If you were to test positive for COVID-19 while overseas, you would need to postpone your trip back to the United States, potentially for several weeks. All travelers should have a plan B,” the U.S. State Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Ian Brownlee, said during a January 26 media briefing when the testing requirement for international travelers entering the U.S. was first introduced.

Brownlee noted that U.S. travelers should consider where they would stay, the cost of an extended stay, and the repercussions they would face if they could not immediately return, whether for work, for childcare issues, or other responsibilities.

“Think through the answers to these important questions carefully” prior to committing to travel plans, Brownlee said. Another recommendation he has for international travelers: Consider travel insurance that covers COVID-19 medical treatments and COVID-19 related travel disruptions.

And the same goes for outbound travel—travelers need to consider what kind of safeguards they have in place, including the cancellation policies for all components of their trip, in the event that they or anyone in their travel group tests positive before flying out.

>> Next: The Best Travel Plan This Holiday Season: A Backup Plan

Two states, four Walgreens and a sense of defeat: Travelers struggle to find timely COVID tests, putting trips in jeopardy

Nikki Schreader almost missed a trip to Hawaii last month for a family wedding.

She wasn't running late for her flight. She was scrambling to find a coronavirus test for her 8-year-old daughter, a requirement to enter Hawaii unless you're vaccinated.

Schreader studied the state's strict testing rules , which set out the type of test, approved providers and the timetable (no more than three days before the flight.) She stopped by the closest Walgreens, in Rochester, Minnesota, days before her daughter was required to test to ask about availability. Employees told her they were completely sold out of the diagnostic tests she needed and directed her to Austin, Minnesota, which is 40 minutes away.

►Traveling to Honolulu?  Get ready to show COVID-19 vaccine or negative test at restaurants, bars

►Self-test kits?: Here's what travelers should know about at-home COVID-19 tests

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Schreader snagged an appointment in Austin but it was canceled the night before. She found a last-minute opening the next day in Northfield, Minnesota, and grabbed it, even though it was nearly an hour away. When she arrived, the location was out of the rapid test she needed. Another eligible test was available, but she was told results would take three to five days. 

"I feel so defeated,'' she said when she struck out. 

Schreader was ready to cancel the trip until she found an opening the next day for an approved rapid test at a Walgreens in River Falls, Wisconsin, 90 minutes away. Her daughter took a rapid test and the results were delivered before they were home. They flew to Hawaii the next day.

Schreader's shuffle across state lines may be an extreme case, but her hunt for a timely, affordable coronavirus test for travel is far from unique. Travel message boards are filled with questions on how to find tests or warnings about a lack of appointments, canceled appointments and slow turnaround times for results.

Some frustrated travelers are turning to elected officials. The office of Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y. – who raised questions about testing capacity in early August as Canada reopened to vaccinated Americans  – fielded recent calls from travelers unable to find affordable local tests that return results within Canada's 72-hour time frame, spokesperson Theresa Kennedy said. Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, is a short drive from the district, which includes Buffalo.

Blame the delta variant , return to school and a host of other factors, which have combined to create a major testing crunch across the country. 

The upshot for travelers headed to Hawaii, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, on cruises and other destinations requiring tests for all or some: Planning is essential, backup options are a must. Note that those backup plans, including airport rapid testing, are often pricey, especially for those who are used to free tests at Walgreens or government facilities.

'I did not anticipate it being an issue': Five hours and $250 later, a coronavirus test to reenter Canada

Charlotte Mosher lives in Canada and flew to the United States in August to help a friend move from Denver to Florida.

She didn't have a problem getting a coronavirus test in Canada to board her flight to Denver. The problems arose when she tried to find a test for her return flight from Tampa.

Mosher, who is fully vaccinated, tried to book an appointment online with Walgreens, which is free, but came up empty in the three-day time period she needed.

"There were no tests anywhere within driving distance,'' she said. "They were all booked.''

She looked into at-home testing kits, but they would not guarantee the results in time for her flight. 

Her sister found one testing place in Tampa, but it couldn't guarantee results in time either, and she needed to get back to work.

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Story continues above.

"When I called them they said it wouldn't even go out to the lab until the next day,'' she said, with two days or more processing time after that.

She ended up getting a test through ARCpoint Labs on the recommendation of a friend.

The cost: 325 Canadian dollars, or about $257.  That's half the price of her round-trip airline ticket.

Her advice to others: Don't book a trip until you search for general testing availability using hypothetical dates.

"I guess I should have done that,'' Mosher said. "I did not anticipate it being an issue.''

More trouble getting to Canada: Late test results, turned away at the border. 

The testing troubles aren't limited to those traveling by air.

Paula McGibbon lives in West Seneca, New York, near Buffalo, and tries to visit her parents in Niagara Falls, Canada, every week. She is vaccinated and has dual citizenship.

Before the border reopened, test results from Walgreens   were delivered in about a day and a half. In the past few weeks, that has ballooned to five days, she said.

McGibbon took a test at the pharmacy this week so she could take the five-minute drive across the border to see her parents in their retirement home. She became worried when she received an email warning of prolonged wait times for results. The warning was dead-on: McGibbon didn't receive her results for five days, past Canada's 72-hour timetable. Her results were technically expired.

She decided to take her chances at the border since her PCR test was taken at the right time to comply with the rules, but she was turned away. An official told her to try the Buffalo airport for a rapid test. The cost: $150 to $200, she said.

"Overall we are able to meet demand, with a capacity to perform up to 3 million test per month, across our more than 6,000 testing locations throughout the country," Phil Caruso of Walgreens told USA TODAY. "We may experience intermittent delays in supply in some locations and are working with all of our testing partners to meet patient demand."

McGibbon opted for urgent care, figuring she'd have to pay only a $25 co-pay, but the bill was $150. She said her insurance company told her coronavirus "screening'' tests weren't covered like those performed for people with symptoms or COVID-19 exposure.

She called the Erie County health department and Higgins' office seeking tips on free testing options. She's worried that the price of tests will put her weekly visits with her parents, who are in their 90s, out of reach.

►Don't fake your vaccine card: Woman arrested for using fake 'Maderna' vaccine card during Hawaii trip

►Can Americans visit Europe this fall after EU decision?: It's complicated. What travelers need to know.

Kennedy, from Higgins' office, said the biggest issue for travelers trying to cross the border as testing sites are overwhelmed is the turnaround time. 

"Providers that offer tests at low or no cost to the consumer are not able to guarantee that the results will return in time,'' the spokesperson said.

Those who must have rapid tests with quick results find themselves paying $125 to $200 per person for a test, Kennedy added.

The cost is leading some to cancel trips, she said. One constituent from western New York, who owns property in Canada and visits regularly with his wife and son, called Wednesday to say they have had to cancel trips because of the high cost of rapid testing.

"I don’t know when I’ll see them again,'' McGibbon said of her parents. "I just have to keep going and trying to get COVID tests.''

Finding a test for travel during delta variant surge: 7 tips

• Have a plan B ... and C and D.   Check all testing options within a reasonable radius as well as testing options at the airport and other for-profit sites. Schedule appointments as far in advance as allowed and be sure to ask when results will be ready. Keep checking back for cancellations.
• Call your health insurance company to see what types of travel tests, if any, are covered and to what extent.  This is invaluable information to have on hand should your favored, free testing site be unavailable or slow to provide results. CVS spokesperson Matt Blanchette said people seeking testing for travel purposes should check with their insurer to determine if it covers such screening. Otherwise, the cost at CVS is $139 per test given laboratory costs, he said. Walgreens offers free testing regardless of insurance. Blanchette said the chain continues "to be able to meet the demand for COVID-19 testing, even with increasing numbers of patients seeking out tests at one of our more than 4,800 CVS Pharmacy locations across the country offering testing with same-day and future day appointments in most geographies.''
• Make sure you don't get the wrong test in the rush to find any test. Hawaii in particular is strict and won't accept just any coronavirus test from any health care provider, even if it's from the vaunted Mayo Clinic.  The state accepts just one CVS test, for example.
• At-home tests are also an option, but make sure it is the right at-home test. Many destinations won't accept those that aren't supervised by a health care professional. 
• Boost your travel testing budget if the trip can't be missed or canceled.  The airport sites are convenient but costly.
• Ask fellow travelers or scan Facebook message groups for testing strategies. One woman on the Maui COVID Travel Testing group on Facebook said she has been practicing logging into the Walgreen's site at the time new appointments are added each night so she's in practice when her trip to Hawaii comes.
• Know Hawaii COVID travel restrictions.   Learn how to navigate the state's entry requirements .

PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

Oct 26, 2021 • 6 min read

Which type of COVID-19 test do you need to travel? © Ergin Yalcin / Getty Images

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, PCR tests, antigen tests, and LAMP tests have all entered the common lexicon. But what’s the difference between all of the ways to test for COVID-19 and which one do you need to travel? 

It’s a labyrinth of acronyms and technologies, but getting it wrong when traveling can be a real headache of denied boarding ⁠—or even being sent back to where you came from. We explain what they all are, when you need them and how to find them when you’re on the road. 

What’s a PCR test and why do I need one?

A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test looks for genetic material within a sample via a process that takes a matter of hours. For COVID-19 purposes, it amplifies the sample taken from your nose, throat or saliva to try to find genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. If the test finds that material, you have or have recently had the disease. The Cleveland Clinic has some further explanations of how PCR tests work .

PCR is usually officially called RT-PCR (RT for Reverse Transcription) and is one of a group of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) that include a variety of methods—NEAR, TMA, LAMP, HDA, CRISPR, and SDA—all of which are explained well by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . But all you really need to know for travel is what the relevant country you’re traveling to wants.

Use government websites to check for the latest entry requirements to your destination, or check out our Health Hub . In practice, you may need either a specific PCR or other kind of NAAT test to travel internationally. Many countries require a recent negative test in order to enter, with some even requiring testing for vaccinated travelers. Do check carefully, and either print out or screenshot the requirements so you can confirm that you’ve got it right with whoever is administering your pre-departure test.

Some countries require that tests be conducted by a healthcare provider like a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, while others are fine with the kits that let you swab yourself and mail a pack off to the lab for testing.

Some countries also require you to take another test after your arrival. You’ll want to check, but in this case the cheaper at-home, mail-off test kits might save you some money⁠—although if you have to quarantine until you get the result it’s faster to get swabbed in a healthcare setting with its own lab.

How is a PCR test different from other tests: antigen, LAMP, TMA or others?

PCR tests differ from others in what they’re testing for and how they process the sample. In many cases, the actual sample extraction from your nose, throat or saliva can be the same—it’s what’s done with it that counts.

But besides the common PCR test, some destinations accept antigen tests , which look for specific molecules on the surface of the virus. These are much faster—it might take 15–30 minutes for most of them—and come either as home test kits or in a healthcare setting like a pharmacy, test centre or doctor’s office. 

By and large, only antigen tests administered by a healthcare provider, with the written documentation you’ll receive, are considered valid for travel purposes. Bring the requirements of your destination country with you when you book the test to make sure. 

Read more: Everything you need to know about the EU's digital COVID-19 certificate 

As more destinations introduce vaccine passes to enter cultural sites and restaurants, some countries⁠—like France and Spain⁠—also accept recent antigen tests for the Digital COVID certificate. 

Where can I get a PCR—or antigen—test for travel?

Whether you’re entering a country or returning home, you may have to provide written proof of a PCR or antigen test over the last 24, 48 or 72 hours. Note that this validity window for PCR and antigen tests may well be different based on where you’re going. 

Antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, with results within 15-30 minutes, but tests for travel purposes may incur charges—and tests for public health purposes may not give you the right paperwork for travel. 

PCR tests are less widely available and take longer, so you’ll want to do some more planning. In many countries you should be able to get a PCR test with documentation for travel at a pharmacy⁠—but be aware that in many places these are still quite expensive. If you’re struggling to find somewhere that provides tests, you could contact your airline and see if they can help. 

Check your own country’s embassy in your destination, that country’s embassy in your own country, as well as the relevant airlines and airports to get more information on tests. 

How do I get a PCR test abroad?

Since PCR tests take longer and require more equipment than an antigen test, it can be harder to find them. Given varying requirements that the test be conducted within one, two or three days, if you need a test to travel, it’s best to have one done in a healthcare setting (ideally at a lab) than using an at-home mail-in kit. 

The US Department of Health & Human Services maintains a list of community-based testing sites in the US , while the UK government maintains a list for arrival tests that may also be useful for passengers departing the UK . 

France, too, has a COVID test location database that allows you to search by location and to choose PCR, antigen or both. Germany does as well, broken out by region . Use a translation app or ask at your hotel for help.

For other countries, run a web search like “COVID travel test”, PCR or antigen, and the country name, but make sure you aren’t tripped up by private companies gaming the search results.

Can I take a PCR or antigen test at home for travel, or bring a test with me?

Most countries don’t accept self-administered tests for travel. That said, there are some options where you bring a test with you and book a video call with a healthcare professional who monitors you when taking the test—either then sent off to a lab for a PCR test or developed where you are for an antigen test.

On balance, with both PCR tests and antigen tests widely available in many locations, this seems like a lot of extra overhead, together with the possibility of tests going astray in the post. 

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You may also like:  What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel? What happens if I'm denied entry to a country on arrival?

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Find Covid-19 Testing Locations near you for Travel

Getting tested for Covid-19 while traveling helps keep you and others safe. Find Covid-19 testing locations around the globe, with results within 72 hours (or less).

How Test For Travel Works

Chances are the country you’re about to visit will request a negative Covid-19 test before letting you enter. Here you can find reliable Covid-19 testing locations near you in three easy steps.

Search entry requirements

Research what types of tests are accepted by your target country, and how long they take. Need extra help? Check out our Global Travel Requirements .

Find Testing Locations

Visit our directory and search for your city and the type of test you need. Every listing contains the facility’s contact information.

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Reach out to your facility of choice. Confirm whether they’re available to test, and book your appointment.

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If you need to find a Covid-19 testing location near you, you’re in the right place.

Help! I’m traveling and I need to get tested for Covid-19. What should I do?

• Scroll to the top of this page, and fill in that short form below “Find Testing Locations Near You”. Select where you’d like to get tested and what type of test you need.
• Press Search to find testing locations near you. Every listing includes the testing location’s contact information, as well as reviews from travelers like you.
• Get in touch with the nearest and best Covid-19 testing location.

I can’t find any testing locations near me, what do I do?

We do our utmost best to find testing locations around the globe. But we may not have listings in your area yet. In that case, we recommend you:

• Use Google’s local search capabilities.
• Contact your airline. They may be able to connect you to a local lab.
• Get in touch with local health authorities.
• Explore at-home testing options. We recommend these FDA-approved testing kits .

Testing is extremely important, and we want to honor our mission. If you take these four steps and are unable to find the testing services you need, contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help you find a location.

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Where to get a COVID-19 test for travel

Going on a trip? Don't forget your COVID-19 test.

As more and more people get their vaccinations , the desire to travel grows stronger , fueled largely by the declining cases of COVID-19. The world is starting to feel a little bit safer. 

If you're preparing to cure your cabin fever, don't forget that you need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to many destinations -- and to get back into the US, if you plan on traveling abroad . 

Though COVID-19 tests aren't in short supply anymore, some places still won't test you if you don't have symptoms or known exposure. That said, there are plenty of locations you can get tested for COVID-19 before traveling, as detailed below.

Community testing centers

Chances are, there's a park or parking lot near you reserved for drive-through COVID-19 testing. Some community testing sites are managed by state or local governments, others are managed through private companies and others may be a partnership between the two.

Color , for example, is a medical testing company that has several community testing sites across California.

To find community testing sites near you, check your local department of health website. If you can't find a testing site that way, a quick Google search of "COVID-19 testing near me" or "COVID-19 testing in [city]" should do the trick. 

You may have to pay for a test at a community testing center, because tests are generally reserved for people who have symptoms (and recreational travel is still not encouraged). However, some testing sites may offer free tests even if you don't have symptoms. 

A drive-through test might be the most convenient option.

Urgent care

Most urgent care centers offer both PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. You can check the website of local urgent care centers or call to find out if testing is available. Most cities have multiple urgent care centers, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a test this way. Again, whether or not you pay depends on each urgent care center's particular policy. 

Doctor's offices and clinics

Your primary care provider may be willing to test you for COVID-19 if you don't have symptoms, although your insurance may not cover the test or the cost of the office visit for this purpose. It can't hurt to ask. 

Passport Health , a travel medicine and immunization agency with clinics across the US, offers COVID-19 testing specifically for travel. The agency has locations in 33 states .

Your primary care provider may offer you a COVID-19 test for travel.

Most large pharmacy chains offer COVID-19 testing for travel, but you'll probably have to pay out of pocket. Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid all have COVID-19 tests available for travel. The exact cost you incur may vary, but out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 tests generally hover between $100 and $150.

Kroger and Walmart pharmacies also offer COVID-19 testing in some states, and the same rule applies: The test is free if you have symptoms, but you have to pay for travel, recreation or simply peace of mind. 

If you go to a local pharmacy (not a chain), give the location a call to see if they offer COVID-19 testing for travel. There's a good chance they will have tests available, but it might cost more to get one from an independent business versus a large corporation. 

Medical labs

Cut out the middleman and head straight for a medical laboratory for your COVID-19 test. Quest Diagnostics, the lab where many tests go for processing anyway, offers drive-through COVID-19 testing . The lab requires you to pay for the test if you aren't showing symptoms. 

Curative is a new medical lab that was founded in January 2020 to develop a new type of sepsis test. The company quickly pivoted to making COVID-19 tests that March, and it now offers COVID-19 testing at more than 10,000 locations throughout the US. Curative processes all of its tests at its labs in San Dimas, California; Pflugerville, Texas; and Washington, DC.

Some travel destinations offer COVID-19 tests for guests. Call your destination to see if they offer return testing -- that is, the test you need to get back into the US. Keep in mind you still need to arrange your own test to get to your destination.  

Many airports offer travel COVID-19 tests for passengers. Whether or not it'll cost you depends on a number of factors, including what entity, exactly, is providing the test; whether or not they bill health insurance; and whether people showing symptoms are prioritized. 

To find out if the airport you're flying out of offers COVID-19 testing, search the airport's official website. You may also have some luck checking the website of your preferred airline. Delta has a handy tool where you can find a list of airport testing locations based on the country you're traveling from. United has information specific to certain cities and countries. 

Just keep in mind that some airports might not offer rapid tests, which means you shouldn't wait until the day of your flight to get your test. Not only could you miss your flight due to a long line, but if you can't get rapid results, you may not be able to board at all.

You may be able to find a COVID-19 test at the airport, but don't bank on getting your results immediately before your flight.

If you have some time to spare, consider buying an at-home COVID-19 collection kit instead of venturing out for a test. 

There are more than 10 at-home COVID-19 tests available for people without symptoms or known exposure, including those from Everlywell, LetsGetChecked and Picture from Fulgent Genetics. 

You can even order one on Amazon or call your local drugstore to see if they're stocking the new over-the-counter COVID-19 test from Ellume . 

From the time you order one of these tests, it'll take five to seven days to get your results, so this option is best for people who plan ahead. 

At home with a health care professional

Ready , a new urgent care telehealth platform backed by GV, Google's investment arm, offers in-home rapid COVID-19 testing. Book your appointment online and a qualified health professional will show up at your door to administer the test. You can also mail-order a test and take it while a health care worker supervises via a video call.  

BeeperMD offers a similar service, but only in Florida at this time. 

At-home kits are a good option for people who have time to spare before their trip.

When to get your COVID-19 test for travel 

Time -- or more accurately, timing -- is of the essence when it comes to getting a COVID-19 test for travel. The exact guidelines you need to follow will vary based on where you're going, where you're coming from and whether or not you're visiting multiple locations. 

In general, it's a good idea to take your COVID-19 test so that you receive results within three days of travel. This means you can take a rapid antigen test 24 to 72 hours before traveling or you can take a PCR test four to six days before travel. PCR tests usually take 24 to 72 hours to process.

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Going on vacation soon? Make sure you have the right COVID-19 test

Antigen test. Rapid test. PCR test. RT-PCR test. Antibody test. If you've taken a COVID-19 test during the pandemic , you might have been bewildered by the sheer number of options.

There are several names for COVID-19 tests, and keeping track of which one you need for travel can seem daunting. But there are only two types of tests : diagnostic tests, which check to see if you have an active COVID-19 infection and antibody tests, which check antibodies in your immune system produced in response to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Not all COVID-19 tests are equal, however. Different types of tests have varying levels of accuracy and turnaround times.

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Testing is much more accessible than it was earlier on in the pandemic. But depending on where you want to go, a negative COVID-19 test result might be required, particularly if you're not vaccinated or are traveling with unvaccinated children. And now, pre-travel testing is even more critical as a result of the latest COVID-19 variant .

Additionally, the United States still requires all travelers flying into the country from abroad to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within three days before departure. And unvaccinated travelers now must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before departure, significantly shrinking the time window for testing.

So, which test do you need? And what's the difference between all the different tests? Here's what to look for before your next appointment to ensure you have the correct COVID-19 test for travel.

Diagnostic tests

Also known as: Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP), diagnostic test, viral test, molecular test, rapid test How the sample is collected: Nasal or nasopharyngeal swab, saliva Turnaround time: It can be as little as 15 minutes for a rapid antigen test or an hour for rapid PCR tests. PCR tests generally come back within 72 hours

The PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) detects active COVID-19 infections and is the most common NAAT test.

These are the most reliable tests for detecting active COVID-19 infections and are considered the current "gold standard" of tests. Several countries allow entry with a negative rapid antigen test (more on that below), but what you'll usually need for travel is a PCR test.

PCR tests are typically easy to find, as several major drugstores, including CVS , Walgreens and Rite Aid , offer PCR testing at no additional cost if using insurance. Turnaround times for results can vary by chain and location, but are generally between one and seven days.

However, some urgent care facilities have introduced "rapid PCR tests." These are standard PCR tests with expedited turnaround times, where you can receive your results in as few as 30 minutes. That said, if you're looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it'll cost you. Facilities offering rapid tests generally bill you the total amount, and it typically isn't covered by insurance.

Countries that require a PCR test for entry include Anguilla (RT-PCR), Antigua and Barbuda (RT-PCR), St. Martin, Ireland (RT-PCR), Paraguay (RT-PCR or NAAT) and Bonaire (PCR or NAAT test).

Antigen tests

Rapid antigen tests check for proteins on the virus's surface. These tests are popular for their quick turnaround times, but the level of accuracy can be lower than a PCR test.

A growing number of U.S. airports and airlines offer rapid COVID-19 testing to passengers or travelers on specific flights or heading to particular destinations. Several hotels, hoping to comply with the U.S. testing mandate, have also started to offer rapid tests on site.

Countries that allow travelers to enter with a negative rapid, or antigen, test include the United States, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Austria and Croatia.

At-home tests

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the testing program for international travel to the United States earlier this spring, allowing airlines to accept at-home instant tests that include remote supervision.

That's good news for U.S.-bound travelers who may not have many testing options at their location abroad. Travelers flying to the U.S. can use a self-test (sometimes called home test if it's a NAAT or antigen test with Emergency Use Authorization [EUA] from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). The test must also have a telehealth service that provides real-time supervision.

Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test is CDC-approved for travel to the U.S. Each test comes with two tests per box, and the company says to swab yourself twice within three days , with at least 36 hours between. There's a second Abbott rapid test that you can buy at the drugstore, but it isn't proctored and can't be used for travel. Another at-home test, Amazon's COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC, has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA.

Antibody tests

Also known as: Serological test, serology, blood test, serology test How the sample is collected: Blood test Turnaround time: Can be same-day or up to three days

Antibody tests are blood tests that can identify if a previous COVID-19 infection caused your immune system to produce COVID-19 antibodies. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it shouldn't be used to diagnose an active infection.

Several countries, including Greece , Iceland and French Polynesia , allow visitors who have proof of a previous infection with a confirmed antibody test.

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Which COVID-19 Test Do You Need? Find out the Differences Between Them Before Your Next Trip

What to know when you need a RT-PCR, Rapid PCR, Rapid Antigen, and more.

As testing for COVID-19 has become a regular part of everyday life, especially when it comes to traveling, making sure you get the correct test is of the utmost importance.

When faced with the need to get a COVID-19 test, it's important to know that not every test is created equal, with different levels of accuracy as well as the time it takes to get results back. Some countries will only accept RT-PCR tests — considered the most accurate — while others will accept proof in any form of negative test to enter. All viral tests detect a current infection and are most accurate when "the person is tested when viral load is generally highest," the CDC explains.

Many states and countries mandate travelers get tested before and after a trip, while some places require testing to attend things like sports games or a concert. And while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not require vaccinated Americans to get tested before or after domestic travel, the agency does require all international travelers to get tested within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S.

Below, we break down each type of test, according to the CDC , explaining the benefits of each, so travelers know everything they need to before their next trip.

This is the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, with the most accurate results available. A RT-PCR test (or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) uses Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) to detect genetic material. NAAT's can be performed with a nose swab — with something that looks like a long Q-tip — or with saliva.

"The NAAT procedure works by first amplifying – or making many copies of – the virus's genetic material that is present in a person's specimen," according to the CDC. "Amplifying or increasing the copies of nucleic acids enables NAATs to detect very small amounts of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a specimen, making these tests highly sensitive for diagnosing COVID-19."

The sample is often sent to a lab and results typically take a few days, but can vary.

PCR tests are often required within a few days of international travel, including to many Caribbean islands and destinations as far off as the Maldives , as well to board some cruises , like Viking .

This test also uses NAAT, but is run "at or near the place where the specimen is collected," providing quicker results, according to the CDC.

Rapid Antigen

These are at-home or point-of-care tests that provide results typically within about 15 minutes, according to the CDC . However, they are less sensitive than RT-PCR tests. These tests are often performed with a nose swab, which is then placed directly into an extraction buffer or reagent.

While many countries require PCR tests to enter, some allow for rapid antigen tests in their place, including Jamaica and Belize .

Additionally, while the CDC requires all international travelers to get a test within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S., rapid viral tests are acceptable.

Rapid tests can be taken and viewed at home, like with the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, while several airlines offer passengers both at-home and in-person testing options at airports.

Antibody tests are unique from viral tests in that they do not detect a current infection. Rather, these tests, also known as serology tests, look for antibodies that may have formed in a patient's blood due to a previous infection, according to the CDC.

When someone contracts COVID-19, their body works to fight off the virus, creating antibodies. Typically, it can take one to three weeks after an infection for a body to make antibodies.

The tests are typically performed with a finger stick or blood draw, according to the FDA.

Many countries require negative viral tests or proof of vaccination to enter, but some allow travelers to substitute that for proof they contracted COVID-19 and recovered. Greece, for example, plans to welcome tourists this summer and will accept proof of antibodies to enter. Similarly, Croatia allows visitors to present proof of having recovered from the virus in place of a COVID-19 test.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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How Much Should It Cost to Get Tested for COVID-19?

U.S. rules allow labs to charge whatever they want for tests, and companies are making billions as the latest spike in cases strains testing availability

The next time you get tested for COVID-19 , it might cost $130, $385, or no money at all. Some labs tack on additional fees such as those for “specimen collection”—the act of inserting a cotton-tipped plastic swab in your nose for a few seconds. Others may even bundle together several tests for almost a thousand dollars. 

The Wild West system that has evolved during the two-year-old pandemic allows labs and testing facilities to charge whatever the market will bear, fueling a multibillion-dollar industry. Perhaps you will have to fork over the money yourself, or your insurance will pay, or the government will cover the cost.

And the current U.S. rules allow for-profit, pop-up sites offering simple rapid tests to operate without any experience in health care or science.

“These companies are taking advantage of the limited supply of COVID tests to make money,” says Ge Bai, PhD, a professor of accounting at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School who has studied the price of COVID-19 tests. “The limited supply, caused by suboptimal public health policymaking, creates this very attractive market opportunity for businesses to exploit.”

By early January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded more than 735 million COVID-19 tests during the pandemic , with almost 60 million coming up positive. And this number of tests excludes simpler antigen tests, which you can do at home or at a testing center.

Amid the latest surge caused by the omicron variant, getting tested remains surprisingly difficult and time-consuming. “The key issue is the supply,” says Joshua Sharfstein, MD, vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “When tests are scarce, and their use is not directed by public health authorities, the price in the private sector is likely to rise.”

“Our healthcare system is well-acquainted with the concept of making a profit from diagnostic testing, so it’s no surprise that some have found a way to do so,” he adds. “The good news is that in many areas, public health departments are delivering free tests to communities with poor access otherwise.”

For COVID-19 Test Prices, the Sky’s the Limit

When Congress passed the more than $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020, it required health insurance companies to pay whatever price labs advertise on their websites for medically appropriate testing. That essentially means that insurers must pay if you feel symptoms or were exposed to someone with the virus. The law does not set any upper price limit. 

In addition, the rules allow anyone, in a few easy steps, to offer rapid antigen tests, the same kind you can buy over the counter in a pharmacy. Such tests can be processed quickly on the spot with simple equipment, as opposed to more accurate molecular tests (such as PCR) which require lab processing with expensive machines.

On average, COVID-19 tests cost $130 within an insurance company’s network, and $185 out of network, according to a July 2021 study by America’s Health Insurance Plans, an industry trade group. Seven percent of labs charged more than $390 for a test. “Price gouging on COVID-19 tests by certain providers continues to be a widespread problem, threatening patients’ ability to get the testing they need,” the group said in a press release.

A Peterson Center on Healthcare and Kaiser Family Foundation study of prices at 93 hospitals in April 2021 found COVID-testing prices ranging from $20 to $1,419, not including additional fees such as those for specimen collection, which ranged from $18 to $240. Consumer Reports detailed the problem in July 2020 in an article titled “ How ‘Free’ Coronavirus Testing Has Become the New Surprise Medical Bill .”

Since then, several state attorneys general and other officials have also warned of COVID-testing scams, telling consumers to be on the lookout for tests that are not just overpriced but also may yield unreliable results. “Unfortunately, scam artists seeking to take advantage of the increase in demand will attempt to con hardworking Georgians into paying for fake tests,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a late December statement . “Do your research to ensure you are visiting a legitimate operation and receiving results from a valid provider.”

Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health outlines a series of COVID-19 scams and fraud , including “an imposter posed as an American Red Cross volunteer going door-to-door offering home COVID-19 testing. They were really trying to gain entry and rob residents.”

Newcomers to the Market

The potential to earn money while offering a needed service has attracted many COVID-testing newcomers, some without a background in science or medicine. For example, the co-owners of the parent company of GS Labs, which is based in Omaha, Neb. and started testing in October 2020, previously invested in real estate, car dealerships, and car washes. GS Labs now operates in seven U.S. Midwest and Northwest states.

The lab group, which is licensed to perform both rapid and PCR tests, charges $380 for a rapid antigen test made by CareStart that has sold for $24 for a two-pack at Rite Aid. Starting on January 15, the price difference becomes even more dramatic when new federal government rules oblige health insurance companies to pay for up to eight at-home tests per person per month for their customers.

Several insurance companies have refused to reimburse GS Labs for such high prices, resulting in lawsuits and countersuits.

“GS Labs charges extraordinarily high prices ranging from $380 to $979 per test,” Premera Blue Cross alleged in a lawsuit filed in October. “These prices are in some cases ten times higher than those charged by other labs. Under normal circumstances, GS Labs would have no expectation that any insurer would pay its extraordinarily high prices.”

GS Labs officials say they have invested many millions to provide an important service by making testing more widely available, and say the insurance companies have acted unfairly in not paying them as mandated by the CARES Act.

“People think we’re getting paid $380. We’re not. Nobody’s paying us that $380 from insurance,” says GS Labs operating partner Kirk Thompson. “In some scenarios, it’s a starting point for negotiations, and we negotiate a much lower rate with them. But in the vast majority of circumstances they just refuse to pay us.”

“If providers are not getting reimbursed, they can’t continue to provide the service, and that puts the country at jeopardy,” Thompson says. “We need testing accessibility right now.”

The CEO of Alliance Health, which charges $150 for a rapid test and $175 to $395 for a PCR test in Florida and New York, is also CEO of Lice Troopers , a company that removes hair lice. The two companies operate in many of the same cities such as Glen Cove, N.Y., and Plantation, Fla. One local television station reported that the companies used one facility in Plantation, Fla., to remove lice and test patients for COVID-19 at the same time.

Alliance/Lice Troopers CEO Arie Harel did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Alliance Vice President Daniel Harel.

Billions for the Big Companies

Even the big medical testing and medical devices companies offering tests at relatively standard prices are seeing a surge in revenue due to overwhelming demand.

Abbott, a leading maker of COVID-19 tests, says it is now making 70 million tests a month. The company reported more than $5 billion in global COVID-related sales in the first nine months of 2021. Rival Thermo Fisher Scientific made more than $6.8 billion in sales on COVID-19 testing and treatment over the same period.

In a May 2021 earnings call , the CEO of Quidel, a testing company based in San Diego, called the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of its home COVID-19 testing kit “the most significant inflection point for our company.”

Among the big lab testing companies, Quest Diagnostics, which charges $125 for a molecular test, said in October that it expected to make more money in 2021 than earlier forecast because of higher rates of COVID-19 testing. Labcorp, which has performed more than 50 million COVID-19 tests to date, reported 2020 revenue of almost $2.8 billion from COVID-19 testing.

The health insurance industry and some experts say some testing operations are charging too much. Officials at both Quest and Labcorp declined to answer directly whether it was ethical for private companies to make a large profit for COVID-19 tests, given the dire public health need. Rather, each company issued general statements.

“We are proud of the critical role we have played throughout the health crisis and for serving as a trusted source of information when the world needed it most,” Labcorp said in a statement to Consumer Reports.  

Quest Diagnostics said the company was “at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working to broaden access to laboratory insights to help us all lead healthier lives.”

Of course, under the for-profit U.S. medical system, companies make money from whatever ailment they are treating. “Whether it’s a COVID test or a Band-Aid, pretty much everything that happens in a hospital is going to cost more than it seems it should,” says Cynthia Cox, vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. “Some of this is to cover their staff and overhead costs, but some of it is for profits.”

The potential for windfalls from the epidemic prompted comedian Conan O’Brien to tweet on New Year’s Day , “Any day now we’ll be reading about the new ‘nasal swab’ billionaire.”

Setting Up Your Own COVID-19 Testing Lab

The 1988 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulates the 260,000 labs in the U.S., but an exception allows anyone with the right paperwork to offer relatively simple tests, such as for cholesterol or glucose monitoring. Even Theranos, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to devise an easier blood test in what turned out to be a spectacular failure, had obtained what is known as a CLIA waiver.

During the epidemic, this waiver possibility has allowed anyone to set up shop and earn money off the COVID-19 testing bonanza if they administer only rapid antigen tests available over the counter. Newcomers need only apply for a federal waiver and comply with any additional state rules, such as individual licensing requirements. 

“Anyone can obtain a CLIA Waiver,” says Dana Stillwagon, CLIA supervisor at West Virginia’s Office of Laboratory Services. “The process includes an application and payment, and applications are typically processed within five days.”

Such test sites do not need a white-coated clinician, modern machines or test tubes to conduct antigen tests—the same tests you can buy at a pharmacy or online and do in your bedroom. All you have to do is swab a nose or mouth, mix the sample with a solution, and then put it on a paper strip. In about 15 minutes, the search for coronavirus antigens shows either a positive or negative result via a colored line, a process much like a home pregnancy test.

“The rapid antigen tests are usually categorized as ‘waived’ tests, meaning they are the least regulated and have the fewest quality control requirements under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments,” says Mark Birenbaum, PhD, executive director of the National Independent Laboratory Association, a community and regional lab trade association based in St. Louis.

The test is simple enough that previous medical experience is not required. When Alliance Health recently advertised a job (on Lice Troopers’ LinkedIn page) for “ Mobile COVID-19 Tester/Swabber ,” its requested qualifications included: “Willing to drive company van to assigned locations as needed. Prior customer service experience. Healthcare experience is a plus. Strong communication skills. Comfortable working under minimal supervision.”

But even with a simple antigen test, a result can be invalid or misleading if the sample is not collected properly. They sometimes fail to detect COVID-19 early on, or in someone without any symptoms. They may also be less sensitive in detecting the omicron variant, the FDA said in late December.

The Most Accurate Test

The most precise gauge of COVID-19 is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, with an estimated 98 percent accuracy. But because these tests require processing on expensive lab machinery, they take longer and cost more.

In a PCR test, a small amount of DNA is extracted, typically via a swab inside your nose or from saliva. Then a healthcare worker mixes the DNA with various substances and uses a machine called a thermal cycler to heat and cool the sample 20 to 40 times to produce millions of copies of the original DNA. By amplifying the DNA, the PCR process can detect even tiny amounts of RNA sequences unique to COVID-19.

The test kits themselves are not expensive—$29 from test maker Abbott, according to spokesperson Kim Modory. But the machines to process the results typically cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, with the high-end models handling many samples at the same time.

Processing the samples can take from less than an hour to a few hours, but you will usually have to wait a day or two for your results. That’s because labs prefer to run many samples at the same time, much as you usually run a dishwasher full of pots and plates rather than with a single bowl and spoon after breakfast.

“If you went in and said, ‘Oh my God, you know, you drew my specimen at three o’clock this afternoon, and it takes you, let’s say, 2 to 4 hours to run it through the machine, I should have my result by eight o’clock,’” says Birenbaum at the National Independent Laboratory Association. “Well, if they just took your specimen and ran it through the machine, yeah. But they’re waiting for other specimens. And so they might not run it until midnight, when they get the other specimens with it. And that just makes the whole system more efficient.”

Outside analysts say that it is hard to name a standard fair price for a COVID-19 test when factoring in rent, staff, insurance, utilities, and other operational expenses. It is “difficult to answer because people will claim to have lots of sunk costs and admin expenses they need to recoup, but $200 plus is not the right price,” says Niall Brennan, president and CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, which studies claim data from four participating insurers.

Gregory Price, PhD, a professor of economics at the University of New Orleans, uses a cost-benefit analysis when looking at test prices. “If the test costs $200, but not knowing one is infected results in more than $200 in costs (e.g., out-of-pocket medical costs, lost wages, and even death), paying $200 for a COVID/PCR test is a sound decision,” he says.

Others point to the price Medicare pays labs for PCR tests as a fair baseline: $75 plus an extra $25 if the lab returns more than half of its results within two days. By contrast, a PCR test in Japan can cost as little as $20 .

For easier-to-process antigen tests in testing centers, Medicare pays $35 to $75 dollars, according to a spokeswoman at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Having just been in Ireland where professionally administered antigen tests in a pharmacy were 35 euros and now in Denmark where it’s all free, it just highlights the for-profit nature of our health care system,” says Brennan at the Health Care Cost Institute. “The government should have massively invested in ensuring every American household has free access to antigen tests—unfortunately, we did not do that.”

The Biden administration recently mandated that insurers must pay for at-home tests in addition to lab tests. So starting January 15, if you buy a home test kit outside your insurer’s network of preferred suppliers, you will be reimbursed up to $12 for as many as eight tests a month (unless more are ordered on doctor’s orders). If your plan does not set up a network of preferred pharmacies, stores and online outlets, the insurer must refund you for whatever the home test costs (yes, the rules on so many things related to COVID are confusing, and they change often).

The government has also announced plans to distribute hundreds of millions of free tests as well.

Before the government expanded plans to pay for more at-home testing in mid January, buying a home antigen test in the U.S. often cost three or four times more than in countries such as Germany and India, where they cost just a few dollars each.

“In Europe, more than 100 rapid tests have been approved,” says Ge Bai, who is also a professor of health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. “The fierce competition among these tests solved the ‘limited supply’ bottleneck . . . and drives down price precipitously. In contrast, only 15 tests have been approved by the FDA in the U.S.”

“Consumers should demand more over-the-counter test manufacturers be approved as soon as possible,” she adds. “Pitting themselves against each other is the most reliable way to help consumers.”

The FDA responds that it is working as quickly as it can to approve home antigen tests, including two in late December 2021. 

“By balancing speed with safety, we have taken numerous actions to speed public access to accurate and reliable at-home tests,” says FDA spokesman Jim McKinney. “Unfortunately, many submissions the FDA has received for home tests include incomplete or poor data, and it is the FDA’s responsibility to protect the public health by declining to authorize bad tests.”

Should the Government Mandate Prices?

Some insurers also say the U.S. should set prices for lab COVID-19 testing. “Establishing a fixed price would lead to greater transparency and help eliminate the abusive pricing and billing practices some labs have in place,” Premera Blue Cross, the U.S. Northwest’s largest health plan, said in a statement to Consumer Reports.

But economists say the rules of supply and demand that govern U.S. healthcare mean that mandating lower prices could reduce the supply of tests when we need them most.

“More regulation of COVID-testing prices would distort the market and hurt consumers,” says Bai at Johns Hopkins. “For example, capping gasoline prices reduces gas prices immediately but ensures gasoline shortage—nobody will be able to buy gasoline.”

“If the government sets a certain price per test today, the pop-up clinics might close and we will end up with no test, no matter how long we are willing to wait,” she adds. “On the other hand, if there are many rapid tests on the market, the price might drop to the same level as pregnancy tests—30 cents.”

Others, such as Brennan, argue that the most reliable way to help consumers is to have the government make free tests available for everyone. “In Denmark professionally administered tests are free at testing centers that are located all around Copenhagen—it’s so convenient people get tested as a way of life, not just when they have symptoms,” Brennan says.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include details on the Biden administration’s plan to have insurance companies cover the cost of at-home tests for consumers. It was originally published on January 6, 2022.

Adam Tanner

Adam Tanner is a Consumer Reports contributing editor. He is also the author of “Our Bodies, Our Data: How Companies Make Billions Selling Our Medical Records” and an associate at Harvard's Institute for Quantitative Social Science. 

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Has anyone used CVS pharmacy for the RT-PCR test? Thanks!

Bumping this

Awesome . Thank you!

We had an 18 hour turn around in early july!

HI Adam did Air Tahiti approve your CVS PCR test?

I guess we will be using CVS before our trip to Tahiti in Jul 2022. I went to Walgreens for a RT-PCR test last fall and it took a full 5 days to get my results. And, at Walgreens recommendation to get results sooner, I scheduled my test in the morning to ensure my test vial went out same day in their overnight shipment to the lab (which it did). Did another PCR test at Rite-Aid and I think it took 50 hours before I received my email with test results. So in both cases, had these tests been for our trip, we would have been prohibited from boarding due to no proof of results. Really makes us concerned for our upcoming trip.

We had a test at CVS this past Sunday at noon. My wife’s results came back 52 hours later, mine came back 60 hours later.

With the new 24 hr rule has anyone been able to get this done at cvs in time I was assuming you would have to go to a lab now. Hoping it will again change to 48 or 72 when things calm down for trip in May any thoughts on this?

Not a bad price. I’m paying $246 for one hour turnaround . Not taking any chances with so many people needing tests

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COVID-19 testing for patients

While SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is no longer at pandemic levels, it is still a major health concern and cases are expected to rise during the fall and winter. Plus, it can be easy to mix up COVID-19 symptoms with other seasonal respiratory illnesses like the flu or an RSV sinus infection. Whether you're ready to get tested right away or need to review your testing options, Quest has the information you're looking for.

How to get COVID-19 testing

Choose from 3 paths to get tested for COVID-19 at Quest Diagnostics.

Doctor's order

Most health plans cover COVID-19 testing, as well as flu and RSV testing. Check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

Schedule an appointment

Purchase online

Shop online for COVID-19 tests to check for active infections or immunity antibodies, or to check if it could be the flu instead.

You may qualify for no-cost testing at select Quest locations if you don't have insurance and you are symptomatic or were exposed to COVID-19. It's funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Get started

Make an appointment for COVID-19 tests

If you have an order for COVID-19 testing through your doctor, schedule your appointment at a Quest location near you.

• Active infection
• 2-in-1 COVID-19 and flu
• 3-in-1 COVID-19, flu, and RSV
• Rapid Antigen
• No-cost COVID-19 tests
• Purchase tests online

COVID-19 symptoms and test information

Is it covid-19, flu, or rsv.

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sinus infections have similar symptoms to COVID-19 and are most common during the same time of year—late fall through winter. Plus, they are all contagious viruses that can be spread easily through person-to-person contact, including coughing and sneezing.

That’s where the similarities end. COVID-19, flu, and RSV respond best to different treatments, so it’s important to pinpoint the specific illness you have through testing.  Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and what test option may be best for you.

Compare COVID-19 test options

• Rapid antigen

Why choose this test?  This test is to help check if you have COVID-19.

Test overview:  Checks for genetic material produced by the virus (viral RNA) to determine if someone is currently infected

Accuracy: Highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated

Turnaround time for results: Typically end of next day

Test method: Nasal swab

How to get tested:

• With an order from your doctor, make an appointment at a Quest Patient Service Center near you.
• Purchase the test for yourself online at  questhealth.com . You can choose to make an in-person appointment at a Quest near you, or have an at-home collection kit mailed to you.
• If you are uninsured, see if you qualify for no-cost testing at select Quest locations.

Why choose this test?  This test is to help check if you have COVID-19 or influenza.

Test overview: This combination test checks for both influenza A and B, as well as COVID-19—all at the same time. Results will rule in or rule out each of the viral infections.

Accuracy:  Highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated

Turnaround time for results: Typically 1-2 days

• Purchase the test for yourself online at  questhealth.com , then make an in-person appointment at a Quest near you.
• If you are uninsured, see if you qualify for no-cost testing options at select Quest locations.

Why choose this test?  This test is to help check if you have COVID-19, influenza, or RSV.

Test overview:  For those experiencing symptoms, this combination test can help rule in or rule out COVID-19, flu, and sinus infection (RSV) with a single swab. Results will rule in or rule out each of the viral infections.

• Contact your doctor or healthcare provider to request a Quest COVID-19, flu, and RSV swab test. Once you have your test order, make an appointment to have your sample collected at a Quest Patient Service Center.

Why choose this test?  This test is to help determine if you have long COVID or if another underlying health problem is causing your symptoms.

Test overview:

• The Post COVID-19 Expanded Test Panel measures the following components: Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Complete Blood Count (CBC), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Ferritin, Hepatic Function Panel, Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Vitamin D Test, and Urinalysis
• The Post COVID-19 Basic Test Panel measures the following components: C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Thyroid Function Test, Vitamin B12 Test, and Vitamin D Test

Test method: Blood and urine tests

Why choose this test?  This test is to help check if you had COVID-19 in the past. It cannot detect a current infection.

Test overview: Checks for spike protein antibodies to detect a prior or recent infection, regardless of whether symptoms were present a

Accuracy: Not applicable

Test method: Blood test

• Start by either purchasing a test online at  questhealth.com , or by asking your healthcare provider to order a test for you.
• Once you have your test order, make an appointment to have your sample collected at a Quest Patient Service Center.

Test overview:  Checks if someone is currently infected by looking for viral proteins and delivers rapid results in just 15 to 30 minutes b

Accuracy:  Lower accuracy than molecular (eg, PCR) tests

Turnaround time for results: Typically 15-30 minutes

• A COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen test (2-pack) is available for purchase online at  questhealth.com . It is observed remotely by a healthcare professional via telehealth.

Important COVID-19 testing statements

• The Quest Diagnostics molecular test, the other authorized molecular tests and the self-collection kit (together the “molecular tests”), the COVID/Flu molecular test and self-collection kit, the COVID/Flu/RSV test, the antigen test and the antibody test (together “the tests”) have not been FDA cleared or approved;
• The tests have been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories;
• The molecular tests have been authorized only for the unsupervised self-collection and maintenance of nasal specimens for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; 
• The COVID/Flu molecular test and self-collection kit have been authorized only for the unsupervised self-collection and maintenance of nasal specimens for as an aid in detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus and influenza B virus, not for any other viruses or pathogens;
• The COVID/Flu/RSV test has been authorized only for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of nucleic acids from SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and not for any other viruses or pathogens;
• The antigen test has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS- CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; 
• The antibody test has been authorized only for the detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and,
• The tests are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

Compare COVID-19, flu, RSV, cold, long COVID, and allergy symptoms

Testing for long covid.

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID, is when symptoms linger for several weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection has run its course. Quest offers testing to help you and your doctor determine if you have long COVID or if another underlying health problem is causing your symptoms.

Post–COVID-19 test panels

Quest's test panels for long COVID measure:

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
• Thyroid Function Test
• Vitamin B12 Test
• Vitamin D Test

Note: These tests do NOT test for or diagnose COVID-19.

Getting COVID-19 test results

The quickest way to get your test results is having them sent automatically through your secure MyQuest ® online portal. If you don't already have a MyQuest account, signing up is free and easy.

Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 testing at Quest

About covid-19, what is covid-19.

COVID-19 is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 

Is COVID-19 still a threat?

Though the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency was ended in May 2023, it remains a serious health concern. According to the World Health Organization , confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to occur around the world.

In fact, COVID-19 cases are expected to peak between late fall and early winter, which is typical for a respiratory virus like COVID-19 or the flu.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, loss of smell, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, feeling weak or lethargic, chills, muscle pain, lightheadedness or dizziness, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, slurred speech, and/or seizures.

The  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  offers many resources on COVID-19, including symptoms.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be very similar to other respiratory infections like influenza (flu) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). So different tests are available to help determine which illness is making you sick.

If you suspect you may have COVID-19, contact your doctor or an authorized healthcare provider immediately for guidance. Your healthcare provider can review your symptoms to determine what testing is appropriate. To help you and your doctor determine if you have COVID-19, active infection testing is available through a doctor's order or by purchasing online at  questhealth.com , and you can make an appointment to be tested at a Quest location or purchase an at-home collection kit. At-home rapid antigen testing is also available to purchase at  questhealth.com , and it is observed remotely by a healthcare professional via telehealth.

How long am I contagious if I have COVID-19?

You are considered to be contagious for up to 10 days from the start of your first COVID-19 symptoms. The CDC recommends isolating from others for at least 5 days after testing positive for COVID-19. However, if your symptoms are not improving, the recommendation is to isolate for 10 days.

You are considered "recovered" from COVID-19 and no longer infectious if it has been at least 10 days from the start of your first symptoms, at least 24 hours without a fever, and all other symptoms have improved.

Additionally, an antibody test may be able to detect if you have previously had an infection and already recovered—even if you never experienced symptoms. Detecting antibodies indicates you may possibly have a lower risk of getting COVID-19 again. However, more research is needed because it is not yet known how long antibodies will last after infection and whether antibodies offer short- and/or long-term protection against getting infected again. b

About Quest COVID-19 testing options

Why should i get tested for covid-19.

If you suspect you have COVID-19 or were recently in contact with someone who had it, a swab test can tell you whether you have an active infection. Knowing if you currently have COVID-19 gives you the information you need to self-isolate and protect everyone around you.

If you suspect that you had a recent or prior COVID-19 infection, even if you never showed signs of being sick, you can take an antibody blood test to confirm prior infection.

Understanding your antibody status also gives you and your healthcare provider the insight to make an informed decision about returning to activity. Other reasons why it’s beneficial to know if you are positive for COVID-19 antibodies include:

• Tracking evidence of your antibodies over time
• Encouraging those you were in contact with to talk to their doctor about getting tested
• Reducing the need to be monitored and retested for COVID-19 infection

Is there a lab test for COVID-19?

Yes, and Quest labs are leaders in processing the complex COVID-19 testing.

For diagnosis of an  active COVID-19 infection , check if you’re eligible for a  no-cost test . Testing and sample collection are available at a variety of locations, including Walmart ® pharmacy drive-thrus and other participating retail locations. Those without any COVID-19 symptoms also have the option of going to select Quest Patient Service Centers, though appointments are preferred over walk-ins. If you are not eligible or want the convenience of testing at home, purchase an at-home kit through  questhealth.com . 

Current COVID-19 infections may also be detected with a  rapid antigen test . Results are typically ready in just 15 to 30 minutes. A COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen test (2-pack) is available for purchase at  questhealth.com . It is observed remotely by a healthcare professional via telehealth. Testing is for ages 2+, regardless of symptoms.

If your healthcare provider is unsure what is causing your respiratory symptoms, they may recommend a COVID-19 and flu or a COVID-19, flu, and RSV combination test . A single sample is collected via nasal swab to be tested for multiple viral infections. The test results of this combination test will rule in or rule out each of the viral infections.

If you may have already been exposed to COVID-19, you may be eligible for  antibody testing . To get tested for COVID-19 antibodies, you can order the test for yourself via  questhealth.com . This allows you to get tested without waiting to go your doctor first. Or, you can reach out to your doctor or healthcare provider and have them submit an order for your test.

Can I get tested for COVID-19, flu, and RSV at the same time?

Yes. Getting tested for COVID-19, flu, and RSV at the same time is called a combination test.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be very similar to other respiratory infections like influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). So different combination tests are available to help determine which illness is making you sick. There is a combination test for COVID-19 and flu , and another combination test for COVID-19, flu, and RSV .

With just 1 combination test, you and your doctor can determine if you have COVID-19, flu, or RSV. It eliminates the need for multiple tests or doctor visits, and can help you get the right treatment plan as soon as possible.

The cotesting approach helps increase testing capacity, especially during the busy flu season, and speeds up the time to a diagnosis.

Can I order COVID-19 tests online for myself?

Yes, several types of COVID-19 tests can be purchased online through the  questhealth.com , including:

• Active infection test
• COVID-19 and flu test
• Antibody test
• Post-COVID-19 Basic Test Panel
• Post-COVID-19 Expanded Test Panel

The cost of tests through questhealth.com cannot be submitted to health insurance.

Can I get an at-home COVID-19 test?

Yes, 2 types of COVID-19 tests have an at-home collection option:

What are the instructions for an at-home COVID-19 test?

When using an active infection at-home collection kit to test for COVID-19, you’ll follow these steps:

1. Purchase: Select and purchase your active infection COVID-19 test at questhealth.com .

2. Kit shipment: Sample collection kit is delivered to the address provided.

3. Collect sample: Follow the detailed instructions provided in kit. However, the basic process for swabbing your nose is to:

• Wash and dry your hands
• Remove swab from package (do not touch the tip of the swab)
• Open the specimen tube (do not spill or drink the liquid in the tube)
• Insert the swab into 1 nostril about half an inch
• Rotate the swab in a circular motion around the inside of the nostril twice, then hold the swab still in your nostril for an additional 15 seconds
• Repeat the same process in your other nostril using the same swab
• Insert the swab, tip first, into the specimen tube until the tip reaches the bottom liquid
• Break the swab at the top of the tube
• Screw cap onto the tube tightly

Or watch this  video explaining the at-home collection process .

4. Return sample: Send sample back to Quest using the prepaid packaging provided in your kit.

5. Get results online: You will receive an email when your confidential results are available. View results online .

The rapid antigen at-home sample collection process will also include detailed instructions and provides virtual supervision. Instead of mailing back your sample, you’ll be instructed to place the liquid onto an indicator device that may detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19. Purchase at questhealth.com .

How long will I test positive for COVID-19 after I’ve been infected?

According to the CDC , active infection molecular tests may continue to return a positive result for up to 90 days after the initial COVID-19 infection.

Which COVID-19 tests are FDA approved?

The molecular, antigen, and antibody tests for COVID-19 used by Quest Diagnostics have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. However, they have not been FDA cleared or approved.

About long COVID testing

What is long covid.

Sometimes referred to as long-haul COVID, chronic COVID, post-COVID condition, or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, the CDC defines long COVID as health problems that last 4 or more weeks after first infection with the coronavirus.

While the reason is still unclear, these long-term effects may increase the risk of diabetes, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions.

Can I be tested for long COVID if I have never been infected?

Yes, you can still be tested for long COVID even if you never tested positive for COVID-19.

While most people with long COVID have evidence of infection or COVID-19 illness, according to the CDC there are some cases in which a person with long COVID may not have tested positive for the virus or known they were infected.

Can a long COVID test panel diagnose COVID-19?

No, long COVID test panels cannot diagnose current or past COVID-19 infections. 

Does Quest Diagnostics offer long COVID testing?

Yes, Quest offers 2 exclusive test panels to check if your lingering symptoms are from long COVID or another health issue. Both tests are available to purchase for yourself through questhealth.com.

How to get COVID-19 testing through Quest

Does quest take walk-ins for covid-19 testing.

Yes, walk-ins are welcome at Quest, including for COVID-19 testing. However, patients with scheduled appointments take priority over walk-ins.

If you are coughing, sneezing, or have a sore throat, it is recommended that you wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

Can I schedule a COVID-19 test in advance?

Yes. Making an appointment at a Quest location is the best way to reduce your wait time.

Do I need a doctor’s order to get COVID-19 testing at Quest?

Having an order from your own doctor is one way to get COVID-19 testing at Quest.

You can also purchase a test from  questhealth.com ; the test will be ordered by physicians at PNWHealth , an independent healthcare provider network that coordinates care with Quest.

Can I get routine blood work after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. It is common and generally safe to get other routine tests or vaccinations at the same time you get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Do Quest locations require masks?

Masks are not required at Quest locations. However, if you are coughing, sneezing, or have a sore throat, it is recommended that you wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

What are the health safety measures at Quest locations?

Quest has strong safety procedures in place at all times to protect patients and employees from coming into contact with any infectious diseases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have added more precautions that make it easier to access the testing you need from Quest.

These measures are still in place today and include:

• Encouraging online scheduling to limit your wait time and the number of people in waiting rooms
• Encouraging patients with severe symptoms (fever or flu-like symptoms) to reschedule for when they are feeling better
• Recommending that patients feeling unwell should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask
• Offering a text alert option that allows patients to wait for appointments outside

COVID-19 test results

How do i get covid-19 test results.

Typically, the quickest way to get your test results is having them sent to you automatically through your secure MyQuest ®  online portal. If you don’t already have a MyQuest account,  signing up  is free and easy.

How do I read COVID-19 test results?

According to the CDC , a positive COVID-19 test result means the virus was detected. That indicates you currently have or recently had a COVID-19 infection.

With a negative COVID-19 test result , the virus was not detected.

But false positives and false negatives are possible, especially with antigen tests that have a lower level of accuracy than molecular tests. Repeat testing is recommended in some cases:

• If an antigen test shows a positive result, but you do not have any symptoms and haven’t been exposed recently
• If an antigen test shows a negative result, but you do have symptoms

What is the turnaround time for COVID-19 test results?

The turnaround time for COVID-19 test results varies from 15 minutes to 2 days depending on the type of test you receive. The rapid antigen test takes 15-30 minutes to get results. Active infection testing results for COVID-19 alone are typically ready by the end of the following day. COVID-19 and flu combination tests or COVID-19, flu, and RSV combination tests typically take 1-2 days.

Does blood on the swab affect COVID-19 test results?

Yes. Testing a nasal swab with blood on it may lead to a false-positive COVID-19 result.

Does having a sinus infection affect COVID-19 test results?

No. Taking a COVID-19 test when you have a sinus infection should not impact the results.

COVID-19 test costs

How much do covid-19 tests cost.

If paying through your insurance, most health plans cover COVID-19 testing, as well as flu and RSV testing. Though you should check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

If purchasing a test for yourself through questhealth.com , the cost is about $70 for a rapid antigen test or about $129 for an active infection test .

There is also a no-cost COVID-19 test option for those without insurance.

Does Medicaid cover COVID-19 testing?

Most health plan benefits cover COVID-19 testing. Though you should check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

Can I use my HSA or FSA account to pay for COVID-19 testing, including at-home tests?

Yes, health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow health plan members to pay for COVID-19 testing, including the at-home collection service, out of their individual accounts.

How do I get COVID-19 testing if I am uninsured?

If you are uninsured, there are many ways to get tested:

• This program is offered in most states, except AK, AL, AZ, DC, DE, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, SD, UT, VT, WA, and WY.
• Supervised self-collection is not available in the following states due to state regulations: AK, AL, AZ, CA, DC, DE, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, OK, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA, and WY.
• Supervised self-collection may be available only at select Patient Service Centers in all other states. Contact your Quest representative for a list of Patient Service Centers offering supervised self-collection in those states.
• This program includes both  molecular  (eg, PCR) and  COVID-19 and flu molecular  (eg, PCR) tests. The COVID-19 and flu test is only available if you are experiencing COVID-19 and/or flu symptoms.
• This program is available to eligible individuals ages 2 and older. Patients between the ages of 2 and 17 must be accompanied to their appointment by a parent or legal guardian. This may vary based on the age of majority in your state.
• You do not need a doctor's referral or appointment to be eligible for sponsored testing. You can check your eligibility, book an appointment, and proceed with the sample collection at your own discretion. If you receive a positive test result (or an inconclusive or invalid result), you will be contacted by PWN to review your results. We encourage you to discuss your test results with your doctor.
• Patients can purchase COVID-19 testing out-of-pocket at  questhealth.com .
• If you live in Arizona, visit  www.SonoraQuest.com/OrderCovid .
• Your state Department of Health may offer $0 out-of-pocket testing options.
• Connecticut
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire
• South Carolina
• West Virginia

To speak with customer service, call 1.866.697.8378 (toll-free).

Why can’t insured patients qualify for “no-cost to you” COVID-19 testing?

The Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) is a goverment-sponsored program established to offer COVID-19 testing for US communities that are at greater risk of being affected by the pandemic. As the pandemic is no longer designated a public health emergency, the qualifications for this program have been narrowed to those who are uninsured. This allows the ICATT program to continue serving the community and effectively manage the spread of COVID-19.

1 Symptoms of COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated October 26, 2022. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

2 Flu symptoms & complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed October 3, 2022. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm

3 Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) symptoms and care. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 27, 2023. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

4 Cold versus flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed September 29, 2022. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm

5 Long COVID or post-COVID conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated July 20, 2023. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html

6 Allergens and pollen. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed August 21, 2020. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/allergen.htm

a  Positive results with the antibody test may occur after COVID-19 vaccination, but the clinical significance is not yet known. How long antibodies remain detectable after infection or vaccination and how long protection, if any, may last is not yet known. The results of this test should not be interpreted as an indication of degree of immunity or protection.

b  Rapid antigen tests are less accurate than molecular tests, so your doctor may recommend a molecular test when your antigen test result does not make sense with your symptoms and exposure history. For example, when the antigen test says you are infected, but you do not have symptoms (and have not been exposed recently). Another example is when your antigen test says you are not infected, but you have symptoms. Rapid antigen tests have their best accuracy within 7 days of symptoms starting. Accuracy and the clinical significance of results beyond the 7 days is not known.

About the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Status

This test has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This means that while Quest Diagnostics has validated the test and has the data to believe the test and the collection kit are accurate, this test has not been FDA cleared or approved; this test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories; this test has been authorized only for the detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and, this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(B)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360BBB-3(B)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Additional studies need to be conducted for this test and others like it to be FDA cleared or approved.

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Employer Health and Wellness

To schedule an appointment for your employer health and wellness screening (biometric screening), we need to redirect you to the Health & Wellness website.

• Your doctor must have ordered your COVID-19 antibody testing or you must have purchased a test through QuestDirect. COVID-19 is highly contagious. If you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you must first contact your doctor for next steps..
• We can only accept patients in our Patient Service Centers who have been confirmed to be COVID-19 symptoms-free for at least 10 days.

Purchased Tests

Please visit our appointment scheduling page to make your appointment.