Answers to Questions About Our COVID-19 Testing
Q: Do you perform COVID-19 testing?
A. Yes, we do a 15 min rapid Antigen test. We can also send out PCR & Antibody testing to our outside lab with results in 2-5 days.
Q: When should I get tested for the active virus detection?
A: If you are feeling sick with a fever, cough, trouble breathing, upper respiratory infection, loss of sense of taste or smell, or general flu like symptoms OR you have been in close contact for 15 min or more with someone who tested positive, you should get tested.
Q: Must I be exhibiting symptoms before I can get an active virus detection swab test?
A: No, anyone can be tested. Please Check-in online to reserve a time for you to be tested.
Q: How much does it cost with insurance to get the active virus swab test?
A: Most of the major insurance companies have STOPPED waiving copays, coinsurance, and deductibles as they did in 2020. Your cost for getting a COVID-19 test at CityDoc is based on the urgent care benefits you have with your insurance plan. We will collect urgent care copays, coinsurance, and urgent care deductibles at the time of service. Urgent care benefits depend on your specific insurance plan. We will call your insurance company to verify the amounts you are responsible for paying at the time of service.
Q: Do you accept my insurance?
A: Go to the Accepted Insurances page of our website to find out
Q: I’m Self Pay. How much does it cost without insurance to get the Rapid 15 min active virus swab test?
A: $100 Office Visit + $60 Rapid Test = $160 Total plus any extra services. If an outside lab confirmation test is needed, ADD $100 for a total of $260 plus any extra services. Confirmations are needed in certain specific situations which the Provider will discuss with you.
Q: How much does it cost without insurance to skip the rapid test and get just the outside lab PCR virus detection swab test, with results in 2-5 days?
A: $100 Office Visit + $100 Outside Lab + $20 Collection + extra services. $220+ Total.
Q: How much does it cost without insurance to get the blood antibody test?
A: $100 Office Visit + $130 Outside Lab + $20 Collection + extra service. $250 Total.
Q: What extra services might I need?
A: A in-house flu test or strep screen may be needed to properly diagnose you. An xray or medication injection are also common extra services. All of these services are posted on our website.
Q: Where do I go to see your Self-Pay prices on the website?
A: Go to the Self Pay Pricing page of our website to learn more
Q: Do you have payment plans for those without insurance?
A: No, we don’t. Payment in full is due at the time of service.
Q: Can I make an appointment to be tested?
A: No, although we have an Online Check-In service where you can reserve an approx time. We are requiring all patients wanting to be tested to please Check-in online and reserve a time for you to be tested. Your time is an estimated place in line and not an exact appointment time.
Q: Can I do a telemedicine Video Visit to get tested?
A: No, doing a Video Visit does not help in getting a test. Please Check-in online and reserve a time for you to be tested.
Q: Is there a long wait time to get tested?
A: Sometimes. We are requiring all patients wanting to be tested to please Check-in online and reserve a time for you to be tested. Your time is an estimated place in line and not an exact appointment time.
Q: Will I be seen by a Provider before the test?
A: Yes, a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or Physicians Assistant will evaluate you when you are tested. If you are exhibiting COVID symptoms, the nurse may swab you, as part of our standing orders, before the Provider sees you.
Q: What are the differences between antigen tests and other COVID-19 PCR molecular tests?
A: Molecular tests (also known as PCR tests) detect genetic material from the virus. Antigen tests detect proteins from the virus and provide results in as little as 15 minutes. Antigen tests are very specific for the virus but are not as sensitive as molecular tests.
Q: How long does it take to get results from the outside lab swab and/or blood test?
A: We send our specimens out to Labcorp and it takes 2-5 days and often times sooner to get results.
Q: How will you convey the results to me?
A: All results will be given to you via an encrypted email.
Q: Why does it take 2-5 days to get my result?
A: Our outside lab, Labcorp, does testing for a wide area of Texas and can’t predict when testing volumes exceed their ability to quickly turn around results.
Q: How accurate are the results for rapid testing?
Positives:
If you have a positive test result, it is very likely that you have COVID-19 because proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 were found in your sample. Therefore, it is also likely that you may be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus to others. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false-positive result). Your provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on your test result(s) along with your medical history, and your symptoms.
Negatives:
A negative test result means that proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 were not found in your sample. It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID19 even though the test is negative. If your test result is negative, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with all other aspects of your medical history (such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled) in deciding how to care for you. The amount of antigen in a sample may decrease the longer you have symptoms of infection. Specimens collected after you have had symptoms for more than seven days may be more likely to be negative compared to a molecular assay.
Q: Must I wear a mask in your clinic?
A: Yes, Dallas and Tarrant counties have issued an ordinance that requires all customers inside a business to wear a mask. Our employees are required to wear a mask.
Q: What is the difference between the active virus swab versus the antibody blood test. Can you clarify?
A: The nasopharyngeal active virus swab test (rapid or outside lab) looks for a current virus infection. This is the most common test that is requested. If you are feeling sick, have a fever, cough, trouble breathing, or having general flu like symptoms, this is the test you want in order to see if you currently have the virus. The antibody blood serum test is for if you had symptoms consistent with possible Coronavirus infection several weeks ago and looking back think you might have had COVID-19? You might be a good candidate for this test. Antibodies are developed by the body in response to a viral infection. According to the FDA, COVID-19 antibody testing may indicate that the person has been exposed to the virus in the past. It is important to note that some studies are showing that antibodies in COVID-19 patients, especially those with mild symptoms, can be very short-lived; 30-60 days, then they become undetectable.
Therefore:
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Antibody testing is not very useful in detecting ACUTE disease. Antibodies show up about 3-4 weeks after the infection starts.
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Antibody testing may not be useful in detecting disease that occurred more than 60 days ago.
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There is data suggesting that antibodies do not confer immunity, so the presence of antibodies may be brief and unhelpful in terms of preventing future infections.
Q: Where is the nearest CityDoc location to me?
A: Visit the locations page on our website.
Q: When is CityDoc open?
A: We are open 7 days a week with exended evening and weekend hours as follows: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Sun 10am-5pm (Sun at Uptown 9am-6pm)
Q: Do I need an appointment?
A: No, although we have an Online Check-In service where you can reserve an approx time. We are requiring all patients wanting to be tested to please Check-in online and reserve a time for you to be tested. Your time is an estimated place in line and not an exact appointment time.
Q: I tested Positive, how do I self-quarantine?
A: A copy of the CDC’s self-quarantine instructions is provided to you at discharge. Please follow these instructions. These instructions are also posted and downloadable at the bottom of our website.
Q: I tested positive and am felling better now, can I stop the self-quarantine sooner?
A: No, unfortunately not. The purpose of the self-quarantine is to prevent the spread of the disease to others, which is possible even if you feel better.
Q: Do I need to tell people that I have had contact with that I have Covid-19?
A: Yes. You should notify anyone you have had close contact with (closer than 6 feet apart, with no mask on, for more than a few minutes) that you have Covid-19, and that they need to self-quarantine for 14 days from that contact. The health department may call you for contact-tracing. Please answer that call and assist them with this.
Q: Do my friends and family members need to be tested?
A: If they can easily self-quarantine for a period of 14 days and they do not have symptoms, then they do not necessarily need to be tested. However, if they want to be tested, we will be happy to test them.
Q: Do I need to be re-tested after my self-quarantine?
A: The CDC no longer requires testing to ensure that your disease has resolved. If you self-quarantine for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms, and no longer have fever, you may stop self-quarantine without any further testing. If your work requires you to be re-tested, we can do a repeat rapid test once your self-quarantine is complete.
Q: Do I need to do anything differently after the self-quarantine?
A: You should continue to wear a mask outside of the house, stay at least 6 feet away from people, and avoid large gatherings. This is a new disease: we cannot pinpoint exactly when you stop being contagious, and we do not know how long immunity lasts. You will need to continue to take precautions.
Q: Will I develop any more symptoms than I have now?
A: You might, especially if you had very mild symptoms when you were diagnosed. You might develop fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, “body aches,” or changes in smell and taste. Many people, however, do not develop any more symptoms.
Q: What should I watch out for?
A: The main thing you should pay attention to is your breathing. If you become short of breath, you should go to the ER immediately, and tell them that you have Covid-19. Also go to the ER if you become confused, or if you can’t keep down liquids.
Q: Do I need to take any medications for this?
A: There are no medications that cure this disease. Antibiotics do not help. You can, however, take over-the-counter symptom-relievers.
Q: Is there anything special I should be eating or drinking?
A: No. You can eat or drink whatever you want. Be sure to stay well-hydrated.
Q: Are there any long-term effects from this?
A: We don’t know this yet, so you should follow up with your primary care doctor in a few months for a thorough exam.