As we all continue to monitor the situation related to COVID-19, we would like to provide you with as much information as possible to help our clients and members.
Information is changing on a daily basis. Below you will find answers (correct as of today) to questions you and your members may have about coronavirus testing.
Where to get tested
If you have symptoms of the virus, call your doctor’s office. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor will advise whether you should come in for an office visit. If your doctor determines that testing is needed, they will administer the test and send the sample to BioReference Laboratories, LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics, our in-network labs.
Please note that the test cannot currently be performed on-location at free-standing labs.
Going to the emergency room or directly to the hospital should not be the first course of action, and may result in denied claims if it is determined that it was not medically necessary. Also, hospital-based testing may be subject to prior authorization.
The information about testing is changing from day to day. You can find out the most up-to-date information from your doctor or from several websites, including the laboratories’ sites:
- https://www.labcorp.com/tests/139900/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-naa
- https://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/Covid-19/
- https://www.bioreference.com/coronavirus/
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
How is the test administered?
Your doctor may collect multiple specimens:
- Nose swabs
- Throat swab
- Lower respiratory specimen which requires rinsing your mouth with water and expectorating into a sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container
How long will it take to get the results?
Results should be available 3-4 days from the time of specimen pickup. However, timing may be impacted by high demand.
How are coronavirus test claims treated under the health plan?
Coronavirus testing is covered under your health plan like any other lab benefit, such as the flu test.