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 Is the COVID-19 Antibody Test Different From the COVID-19 Regular Test?
Like many people, you might be a little confused about current tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how they differ. In essence, COVID-19 diagnostic testing can detect a current infection, while COVID-19 antibody testing can detect a past infection. Usually, the diagnostic test involves a nasal swab, and an antibody test involves a blood draw.
Does the Antibody Test Show if You Have the Coronavirus Disease?
A COVID-19 antibody test is not used to diagnose a current infection. Rather, the significance of COVID-19 antibody testing is that it can determine whether your body’s immune system has developed special proteins (antibodies) against the novel coronavirus. Here’s what happens: After you are infected, your immune system begins producing antibodies to fight off the infection. Because it can take up to three weeks for your body to produce enough antibodies to be detected in your blood, an antibody test may not identify a current COVID-19 infection.
To help ensure the most accurate result, the timing of COVID-19 antibody testing is critical. Therefore, the test is generally performed only after all symptoms have resolved.
Why Is It Important to Know Whether I’ve Had COVID-19 in the Past?
If your COVID-19 antibody test result shows that you have antibodies against the novel coronavirus, this means you were likely infected with COVID-19 at some point in the past. It may also mean that you have developed some level of immunity to it. As of yet, the level of immunity and how long you may be protected against reinfection are still unknown. As research progresses, new information is continually becoming available within the medical community.
Another benefit of antibody testing is that you may be eligible to donate plasma (a component of your blood) after you’ve recovered from COVID-19. Because your body successfully fought off the infection, your plasma may contain valuable COVID-19 antibodies, which can be used to help others fight off the disease.
If you are interested in COVID-19 antibody testing, contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, FL. If you have health insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for a COVID-19 antibody test will be a $25 blood draw fee. If you do not have insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for a COVID-19 antibody test will be $50.
