All patients must see our physician before receiving COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PCR testing.

COVID-19-related visits include a physician evaluation and a PCR test, which is the most accurate test available. The PCR test is billed to your insurance by the outside lab and results are typically available in 2-4 days.

A Quidel Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test (results in 15 minutes) may be added on the same day as a physician visit for a cash-pay price of $75.

The Rapid Antigen cash-pay price for asymptomatic patients who are uninsured or need testing for travel or employment is $100.

There is a $25 cash-pay price for the blood draw for an Antibody Test. Check with your insurance provider to see if they will cover the lab cost.

How Accurate Is the Rapid COVID-19 Test?

Like many people, you might understandably feel uncertain or worried at various times throughout the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Are you infected? Should you self-isolate? Do you need to quarantine?

A rapid antigen test can provide the answers you need within minutes. But can you rely on the results? Just how accurate is the test? The experienced team at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida, offers the following general information:

How Does COVID-19 Testing Work?

Currently, two main types of tests can be used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. The first is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which can detect genetic material specific to the virus that causes COVID-19 in a nasal secretion sample. The specimen is collected with a nasopharyngeal swab, then processed in a lab. It can take several days or longer to receive the results.

The second is a COVID-19 rapid antigen test, which can detect certain proteins specific to the virus that causes COVID-19 in a nasal secretion sample. As with the PCR test, the specimen is collected with a nasopharyngeal swab, but it does not need to be processed in a lab. Instead, the sample is placed on a test strip, which reacts with COVID-19 antigens by visibly changing color. The results are typically available within 15 minutes.

Can You Rely on the Result of a Rapid Test?

Essentially, the rapid COVID-19 antigen test sacrifices a certain level of accuracy for speed. Because a rapid test is less sensitive than a PCR test, a larger amount of the virus must be present to trigger a positive result. As such, rapid antigen testing is generally most reliable when used in the early stages of COVID-19, when the viral load is highest in the nasal secretions. Even though symptoms may not be apparent at that point, the virus is still highly contagious. A positive result most likely indicates that a COVID-19 infection is present, which means it is critical to take steps to avoid spreading the virus until the diagnosis is confirmed with a more sensitive PCR test.

If you have questions about COVID-19 testing, South Tampa Immediate Care has answers. Contact or visit our walk-in clinic in Tampa, FL, today.