COVID-19 Virus Testing (Current Infection)

1. At this time, COVID-19 testing is only available to Patients with COVID-19 symptoms.  For a list of COVID-19 symptoms, see below:  “Safety and Other Helpful Information”  “What are the symptoms of COVID-19?”
2. No appointment is necessary, just walk in! Find a location near you.
3. Patients will be evaluated by a provider, who will determine what test, if any, is appropriate based on the patient's medical history and history of current illness.
4. Rapid Antigen Tests are for patients with one or more COVID-19 symptoms, with onset within the last 5 days. If you receive a Rapid Antigen Test, you will receive your result during your visit.  Your result will also be available on the Patient First Portal.
5. PCR Molecular Tests are for patients with COVID-19 symptoms with onset more than 5 days ago. If you receive a PCR Molecular Test, your sample will be sent to the lab for testing.  You will receive your result via text message or through a phone call from a nurse. Your choice for how you would like to receive your test result will be decided during registration.
   
   Your result will also be available on the Patient First Portal and the LabCorp Patient Portal (Virginia and Maryland Centers) or the Quest Diagnostics Patient Portal (Pennsylvania and New Jersey Centers).

• If you have insurance, we will submit our charge for your visit and exam to your insurance plan. Your insurance plan will determine whether you are responsible for any portion of the visit charge or the laboratory charges for testing. Patient First accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
  
  If your insurance plan determines that you are responsible for any portion of the charges related to COVID-19 viral testing or related services, you will receive a statement from Patient First, from the lab, or from both. Patient First is required to follow the insurance plan’s determination of your responsibility. If you have received a bill from Patient First for a COVID-19 test, please click here for more information.
   
• For most self-pay patients, there is no out-of-pocket cost. Patient First will submit claims for COVID-19 testing and the related office visit to the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). If HRSA covers your visit and test, we will accept reimbursement from HRSA as payment in full. If HRSA determines that you are not eligible for coverage, the charges are your responsibility and you will receive a statement from Patient First.
   
• If your visit is not covered by insurance or HRSA, Patient First’s charge for antigen testing is $53.  The charge for PCR testing, which is provided by LabCorp or Quest, varies by state and is between $100 and $109.  Patients would also be responsible for visit charges, which vary depending on services provided.   

• Those who have one or more COVID-19 symptoms may be tested for COVID-19. Your Patient First provider will determine the type of COVID-19 test(s) that you receive, based on your symptoms and history. Rapid antigen tests are currently only available to patients with one or more COVID-19 symptoms with onset within the last 5 days.

• Rapid Antigen Test: For patients with one or more COVID-19 symptoms, with onset within the last 5 days.
• PCR Molecular Test: For patients with COVID-19 symptoms with onset more than 5 days ago.

• The rapid test is highly accurate for patients who have COVID-19 symptoms with onset within the last 5 days. However, it is less accurate for patients whose symptoms began more than 5 days ago.
• The PCR COVID-19 test is available for patients whose symptoms began more than 5 days ago. This test is highly accurate both for patients with recent onset of symptoms, and for those without recent onset of symptoms.

• No, not at this time. Patient First has temporarily suspended testing for those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. This includes suspending tests for the purpose of travel. Please check our website often for updates to this policy.

   

• If you were tested because you had symptoms of COVID-19 or an exposure or possible exposure to someone with COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate from other people and pets in a “sick room” and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever of 100⁰F or above, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• If you develop trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake or bluish lips or face, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care because you may have COVID-19.

• The Rapid Antigen Test results are received during your visit.
• The PCR Molecular Test results currently take 2 to 4 days for most patients.

• If you receive a Rapid Antigen Test, you will receive your test result during your visit. 
• If you receive a PCR Molecular Test, you will receive your result via a text message or through a phone call from the center nurse. Your choice for how you would like to receive your test result will be decided during registration.
  
  Your result will also be available on the Patient First Patient Portal and the LabCorp Patient Portal (Virginia and Maryland Centers) or the Quest Diagnostics Patient Portal (Pennsylvania and New Jersey Centers).

You can view and transmit your test result through the Patient First Patient Portal. The Patient First Patient Portal instructions, including how to view and transmit your result, can be found by clicking here.

You may also view and transmit your test result via the portal of the reference lab that performed the test.

• If you were seen at a Virginia or Maryland center, use the LabCorp Patient Portal: https://patient.labcorp.com/
• If you were seen at a Pennsylvania or New Jersey center, use the Quest Diagnostics Patient Portal: https://myquest.questdiagnostics.com/web/home

• No. Patient First uses the PCR or rapid antigen test to determine if the patient has a current COVID-19 infection. The test does not differentiate between strains or variants of the virus. If a patient tests positive, the recommended course of action is the same regardless of the strain.

For information on appropriate steps to take if your result comes back positive or negative, please click here.

All of our Centers are taking extensive steps, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide a safe environment for patients who need care, as well as for our staff:

• Upon entering the Center, a protective mask will be provided to each patient or visitor who does not bring his or her own mask. Please put the mask on correctly and wear it at all times while in the Center.
• Each staff member will be wearing a protective mask as well.
• After registration, patients may wait in their car until a treatment room is available, if they wish to do so.
• Surfaces throughout each Center are thoroughly disinfected at regular intervals.
• Air filtration and circulation systems in all Centers meet or exceed CDC guidelines for urgent care facilities. Fresh air from outside is continuously cycled into the centers while air from inside is continuously cycled out. Additionally, MERV 13 filtration systems, which deliver highly effective COVID-19 removal rates, are in place at all Centers.
• Frequent hand-washing is required.
• We ask any non-essential family members or companions of patients to please stay at home or remain outside of the center.

• Fever and/or Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Difficulty Breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or Body Aches
• Headache
• Loss of Taste and/or Smell
• Sore Throat
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Nausea and/or Vomiting
• Diarrhea

To learn more, including information about how to add COVID-19 Virus Testing to your employer account, click here.

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 please walk into any Patient First, no appointment is necessary. We will perform a medical evaluation to determine if a COVID-19 test is appropriate. If necessary we will also test for flu, strep and other illnesses. For more information about what to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19, click here.
• If you have serious symptoms including trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, difficulty waking up, bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the closest Emergency Room immediately.

COVID-19 is spread person-to-person when infected individuals cough, sneeze, sing or even talk, sending contagious respiratory droplets airborne. These droplets can then land on or be inhaled by others who are nearby (within 6 feet). These droplets may also contaminate solid surfaces within the room and can get into your body if you touch the surface and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

With this virus, it seems that individuals can become infected even when the contagious person is not displaying any symptoms. The most common symptoms are similar to those of the flu: cough, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

• Stay home and avoid contact with non-household members.
• Wear a mask when in public and practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, using the restroom, coughing, or sneezing. Use 60% or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot use soap and water.
• If you need to sneeze, do so into a tissue. If one is not readily available, sneeze into your inner elbow. Wash your hands immediately afterwards.
• Disinfect frequently-used items and surfaces regularly.

No, the COVID-19 vaccine is not available at Patient First.  Click here to learn more.

For more information and updates on COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s website here.