COVID-19 Testing Information
COVID-19 INSURANCE/PAYMENT UPDATE
Most insurance companies are no longer paying for “screening” covid tests (e.g., for travel, cruise ships, etc.) If you would like your insurance to be billed for a COVID test, YOU MUST PRESENT A VALID ORDER signed by a healthcare provider. If you do not have an order from a healthcare provider, you will need to pay cash for the testing at the time of service.
DO I NEED TO GET TESTED?
As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, there are many reasons why people may want to get tested. Now there are several testing methods that serve a variety of different purposes.
Most commonly, people who want to get tested are those who are not feeling well with existing COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals may also want to get tested in the following circumstances:
- Planning to travel
- Need clearance before returning to work or school
- Suspect they have been exposed to COVID-19
- Would like to check for COVID-19 antibodies
The CDC and Eastern Idaho Public Health have provided the following information to assist in answering this question and other common questions about COVID-19 testing.
WHICH TEST SHOULD I GET?
There are three test types to consider when requesting a COVID-19 screening. They include the PCR, antigen and antibody tests. Use the chart below to determine which test is right for you and learn some helpful details about each testing type.
| PCR (NAAT) Test | Antigen Test | Antibody Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Purposes | Travel Authorization Clearance for Work Clearance for School Suspect Exposure |
Need quick results Clearance for Work Clearance for School Suspect Exposure * Does not Work for Travel Authorization |
Checking for antibodies
* Does not Work for Travel Authorization |
| Timing | Patient is Symptomatic | Patient is Symptomatic 1-5 days from onset of symptoms | Patient is Non-Symptomatic |
| Preparations |
|
|
|
| Testing Locations | Garden City
Idaho Falls Pocatello Rexburg (See maps below) |
Garden City
Idaho Falls Pocatello Rexburg (See maps below) |
Garden City
Idaho Falls Pocatello Rexburg (See maps below) |
| Testing Type | Nasal or pharyngeal swab | Nasal or pharyngeal swab | Blood draw |
| Tests for New Strains | Yes | Yes | No |
| Result Timeline | Result times will vary based on availability of supplies | Same day | 24 – 48 hours |
| Getting Results | Patient Portal | Patient Portal | Patient Portal |
| Cost | $125 + Collection Fee | $75 + Collection Fee | $60 + Draw Fee |
| Collection Fee | $30 (Once Per Visit) | $30 (Once Per Visit) | $12 (Once Per Draw) |
VERY IMPORTANT
Before you request any of these tests, check with the organization requiring the results to see which test they will accept.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
We accept most insurance plans including Medicaid and Medicare. Most insurance companies are no longer paying for “screening” covid tests (e.g., for travel, cruise ships, etc.) If you would like your insurance to be billed for a COVID test, YOU MUST PRESENT A VALID ORDER signed by a healthcare provider. If you do not have an order from a healthcare provider, you will need to pay cash for the testing at the time of service.
HOW DO I GET A DOCTOR’S ORDER?
Call or visit your primary care doctor’s office. Most offices can send us an order electronically or by fax, or you can pick up a paper order from their office to bring with you for testing.
WHERE TO GET TESTED
This testing is done by collecting a nasal swab at any of our office locations in Garden City, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Rexburg.
Garden City
7988 W Marigold St., Garden City
The Boise area COVID-19 testing center is located at our Garden City location and is available during normal business hours.
Standard Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Idaho Falls
3908 Washington Parkway, Idaho Falls
The Idaho Falls area COVID-19 testing center is located at our main office location and is available during normal business hours.
Standard Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Pocatello
444 Hospital Way, Pocatello, ID 83201
The Pocatello area COVID-19 testing center is located at our Pocatello office location and is available during normal business hours.
Standard Hours: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Rexburg
859 S. Yellowstone – Rexburg, Idaho 83440
In the upper valley, find us at our new Rexburg lab location in suite 3202 at 859 S. Yellowstone in the Henry’s Fork Plaza.
Standard Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
WHAT IS THE RAPID TEST AND IT’S REQUIREMENTS?
The antigen test is also known as the “rapid test” or “quick test”. We perform the antigen test for patients WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS AND ARE IN THE FIRST 5 DAYS OF SYMPTOMS.
A few things to note about the antigen test:
- The antigen test WILL NOT provide an accurate result if you are not experiencing symptoms.
- The antigen test DOES NOT provide adequate documentation for most travel-related requirements.
- All antigen testing with negative or inconclusive results will be verified by PCR testing.
- Symptoms need to be within 1-5 days of onset
Only an FDA-approved PCR test run by a CLIA licensed laboratory will typically meet such requirements. Any patient who is considering or has taken this antigen test should read the following document to understand the limitations of the test and the meaning of the result: Sofia 2 Flu + SARS Antigen Assay fact sheet for patients
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT ANTIBODY TESTING?
COVID-19 Antibody Testing (sometimes called serology or IgG testing) is different than PCR and antigen testing and DOES NOT indicate an active infection. This test indicates presence of antibodies in your body which are specific to COVID-19 and means that your body has previously triggered an immune response to fight a COVID-19 infection. Since it takes your body time to generate these antibodies in numbers adequate for detection, you may get a negative result for this test even if you are actively infected. It can take 10-14 days after infection for sufficient antibodies to be present in your body to result in a positive test.
We do perform antibody testing locally and will typically have a result within 24 hours. Please note that this test requires a blood draw and CAN NOT be done from a nasal swab like the PCR testing.
HOW DO I GET MY TEST RESULT?
The best and quickest way to get your result once you’ve been tested is to register for an account on OUR PATIENT PORTAL where you will be notified as soon as your result is complete. From the portal site you will be able to produce the documentation needed to show your negative result for an employer or travel authority.
WE CAN COME TO YOUR BUSINESS!
If you own a business and are interested in our mobile services, we can come to you. We can test employees, patients, residents for COVID-19 and other health-related conditions as part of our Corporate Wellness Program.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Very Important
Check travel restrictions based on the desired travel destination. Restrictions, rules and testing requirements often change.
Timing of results differ by location and beware that some accept results based on the time of the report and some are based on the time the specimen was taken.
I’m traveling to a state or country which requires a test, what do I do?
The following paragraphs outline some of the most important information to know if you plan to travel. The following three general steps will help you along your way.
1. Review Destination Travel Requirements
There are multiple states and countries requiring anybody who is entering their territory from another location to provide proof that they are COVID-19 free upon arrival. For most locations, the only adequate proof currently being accepted is a negative result from a PCR-based nasal swab test performed within a certain number of days our hours prior to departure.
Neither the antigen or antibody tests provide adequate documentation for most travel-related requirements.
You should review the COVID testing and travel requirements for your destination regularly to ensure you understand what will be allowed and required. These requirements may change day to day, depending on the travel destination. With many different requirements and frequent changes in different locations.
WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT YOUR TEST RESULT WILL ARRIVE IN THE TIME FRAME REQUIRED OR THAT IT WILL BE ACCEPTED BY YOUR TRAVEL DESTINATION.
2. Schedule Testing
Since testing times can vary, we recommend that you come in to be tested at our facility as early as you can and still be within the designated testing window. For example, if your flight leaves at 6AM on a Thursday and your test needs to be within 72 hours of departure, you should plan to come in the Monday morning prior when we open at 8AM.
Please note that some locations have alternative options for testing and visiting, but usually, in the absence of a valid, PCR test result, you will be required to quarantine for 10-21 days before you’ll be allowed to move freely.
3. Get Your Test Results
To provide proof of your test and negative result, you can pick up a printed report from our office if your test is completed before you depart, although with current turn-around times for testing, it’s unlikely your result will be available before you leave. The best way to get your result once you’ve begun travel is to register for an account on OUR PATIENT PORTAL where you will be notified as soon as your result is complete. From the portal site you will be able to produce the documentation needed to show your negative result.
If you would prefer, you can work directly with LabCorp to perform your own test collection at home without needing a doctor’s order. Please note that without a doctor’s order, your insurance will likely not pay for the testing and you’ll be required to pay LabCorp directly for the test. See the LabCorp website for more information on this option. Since this option puts you in direct contact with LabCorp, Express Lab will not be able to provide any information about the testing procedure, time frame for turn-around or your test results. This information is provided here only to make you aware of another option that may be more convenient for you.
What if I am traveling to Hawaii?
The State of Hawaii has released updated requirements for travelers wanting to visit any of the islands. At this time, there is a very limited number of partners that the state will accept COVID tests from and, unfortunately, Express Lab is not currently on the list. You should review the information provided by the state and ensure that you will be able to enter the state before making plans or getting on a plane. The following link will take you to a travel information website maintained by the State of Hawaii: Getting to Hawaii
AMENDED PRIVACY POLICY
Due to the nature of COVID-19 and the public health emergency which it poses, privacy rights have been amended by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Click here for details.