COVID-19 testing: questions and answers
Which tests can I get through UCHealth?
UCHealth is offering two types of COVID-19 testing. All testing is voluntary. One type of test, called a PCR test, can tell you if you have COVID-19 now. This test requires a nasopharyngeal swab (“nasal swab”). UCHealth is also offering an antibody test. This test can tell you if you’ve been exposed or if you were sick with COVID-19 in the past. This test requires a blood draw.
What is the difference between these two tests?
A nasopharyngeal swab PCR test for COVID-19 looks for the presence of the virus in someone who is sick right now or has recently gotten better. An antibody test can see if someone has been exposed to COVID-19 and now has antibodies to the illness.
Why should I get the COVID-19 test?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 now, a nasopharyngeal swab test can determine if you have COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. These signs include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Exhaustion
- Body aches
- Sudden loss of taste or smell
If you are experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms, take the following steps:
- Call your provider and describe your symptoms. Your provider may order a COVID-19 or flu test. If they submit the order, you can schedule an appointment through My Health Connection.
- If you do not have a provider, schedule an appointment through our virtual urgent care. That provider will determine if you need a flu or COVID-19 test. If they submit the order, you can schedule an appointment through My Health Connection.
- If you do not speak to any providers, and still want a test, you will only be able to order a COVID-19 test. The cost is $85. You may not self-schedule a flu test.
Also, some people who are not sick might need to get a COVID-19 test before returning to work.
If you need a copy of a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel or return to work, please reach out to medical records.
What if I get a positive result from a COVID-19 test?
If you learn that you have COVID-19, you should isolate yourself at home right away and contact your health care provider. You may be able to heal at home. But, you should get medical help right away if you are having serious problems like trouble breathing.
Where is UCHealth offering testing?
All the testing sites locations and hours of operation are located on this page.
How can I make an appointment to get a COVID-19 test, an antibody test or both?
Currently test scheduling is done via My Health Connection, UCHealth’s free, convenient patient portal.
How do I create a My Health Connection account? And how do I order a test on MHC?
Find detailed instructions on this web page.
How do I schedule a COVID-19 test for children younger than 14?
Find detailed instructions on this web page.
How do I schedule a COVID-19 test for children 14 and older?
Find detailed instructions on this web page.
Will my health insurance cover testing?
Many insurance providers will cover COVID-19 and antibody testing, but you should check on the details for your insurance plan. If you have not met the yearly deductible for your plan, you could be charged. And, for antibody testing, it’s also possible that the cost of the test itself may be covered, but that you will be charged for the blood draw.
If I don’t have health insurance, can I still get tested?
Yes, you can pay out of pocket for testing. If you pay yourself, a nose swab to test for COVID-19 will cost $85 and an antibody test will cost $100. You must use a credit card to pay for the tests.
Do I need to be a current UCHealth patient to get tested?
No. You are welcome to get tested even if you are not a current UCHealth patient. You will need to sign up for a My Health Connection account to schedule a test and get your results.
Can I come and get a test even though I don’t have any symptoms?
Not at this time. Currently COVID-19 tests are only available for people with a provider’s order (for example, a required test for a scheduled surgery) or people who are experiencing symptoms including fever, shortness of breath or new cough.
How long will it take to get my results?
Results will be available within approximately 72 hours, but may take longer than expected due to high demand and/or processing times.
Will my test results be used for research?
Your test results are private. But researchers may use anonymous testing data to find how widely COVID-19 has spread throughout the community and to assist public health experts and government leaders as they try minimize the spread of COVID-19.
What should I do while I wait for results?
If you were tested because of symptoms or an exposure, you should stay in your home (isolation or quarantine) while you wait for your results. This is important because other people, including elderly and those with major medical problems, are more at risk to get severe symptoms from this infection if they are exposed.
If you had symptoms and were seen in a clinic, urgent care or emergency department, you are well enough to go home today. Treat your symptoms with fluids by mouth and over-the-counter medicine.
If your symptoms get worse, call your provider or go to the emergency room. Make sure to let your health care providers know that you have been tested for COVID-19.
Where can I find my results?
Results will be sent to your My Health Connection account. Results will be available within approximately 72 hours, but may take longer than expected due to high demand and/or processing times. Positive and negative results are shown. Please do not call the lab or testing site, as they are unable to check on or share individual results.
If your result is positive (you have the virus), and you don’t have My Health Connection or have not viewed your results, you will be called.
What if I don’t have a phone?
If we cannot contact you by phone, we will send you a letter with your results.
I took a COVID test today and I received my test results. I have questions about my results.
You were given instructions when you arrived for your test. These instructions included information on what to do if you test positive. If you still have questions, please call your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, we recommend you schedule a Virtual Urgent Care appointment.
Visit https://www.uchealth.org/services/virtual-urgent-care/
I took a COVID test several days ago and I have not received my results. I need them to return to work or travel to a foreign country.
We’re sorry it’s taking so long. The time it takes to get results back depends on how many other people have also taken tests. Rest assured, your results will be posted as soon as the laboratory completes them. Thanks for your patience.
Can I get a rapid test?
We do not have rapid tests available for most patients. Most test results are back within 24-72 hours. If you were tested because of symptoms or an exposure, you should stay in your home (isolation or quarantine) while you wait for your results. This is important because other people, including elderly and those with major medical problems, are more at risk to get severe symptoms from this infection if they are exposed.
If your symptoms get worse, call your provider or go to the emergency room. Make sure to let your health care providers know that you have been tested for COVID-19.
My surgery or procedure is in the morning and I have not taken the test or I have not received my results? Can I still come to the hospital?
Yes, you can still come to the hospital for your surgery. We recommend patients be tested for COVID-19 at 2-5 days before their scheduled procedure or surgery. This is to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and all of our staff. Patients who do not get the required testing may have their surgery or procedure delayed or canceled. If you have questions, please call your provider.
How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19?
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Stay at least six feet away from people in public.
- Stay home if you are sick.
If you need medical advice, please contact your provider.
What are antibodies?
When we get infections, our bodies create proteins to fight infections. These are called antibodies.
How long does it take for a person to create antibodies?
It can take days or weeks for a person to develop antibodies.
How long do antibodies to COVID-19 last?
Researchers don’t know yet how long antibodies to COVID-19 last or whether they protect people from getting sick in the future.
Why should I get an antibody test?
An antibody test can tell you if you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. If you test positive and you have fully recovered from COVID-19, you might be able to donate what’s known as convalescent plasma to patients who are currently sick with COVID-19.
Also, results from antibody tests might help medical experts understand how widely the new coronavirus has spread in our communities. But, it’s important to know that a positive test result to an antibody test does not mean you are safe (immune) from getting COVID-19 in the future. Researchers are still working to understand how protective these antibodies to COVID-19 will be.
If I get a positive test result from an antibody test, what does that mean?
Since COVID-19 is such a new illness, medical experts are still learning how COVID-19 antibodies work. If your test shows that you have antibodies (a positive result), that means that it’s likely you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. But, a positive result does not mean you are immune or less likely to get COVID-19 in the future.
Even if your results from an antibody test are positive, you should still follow social distancing guidelines. These include:
- Stay at least six feet away from people outside of your household.
- Wash your hands often.
- Wear a mask in public.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
I heard antibody tests can be inaccurate. Is that true?
Yes, there are many commercial antibody tests found at drug stores, labs and at medical facilities. Many of these tests are not accurate and have not been authorized by the FDA. UCHealth is only offering tests that our medical experts have tested and verified. UCHealth COVID-19 tests are high-quality, accurate, FDA-authorized tests.
What if I get an antibody test elsewhere?
You should be very careful about the type of antibody test you get. If you get tested outside of UCHealth, ask questions about the type of test you will be getting. UCHealth experts found that antibody tests that only required a finger prick were not accurate. You will want an antibody test that:
- Requires a full blood draw.
- Has been tested and proven to be accurate.
- Is approved by the FDA.
Why is an inaccurate antibody test concerning?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is what’s known as a coronavirus. These viruses are very common, and some are not dangerous. A different type of coronavirus causes the common cold. An inaccurate antibody test might find antibodies to other common coronaviruses. If you get results from an inaccurate antibody test, you might wrongly believe you have immunities to COVID-19.
Regardless or the results you get from any antibody test, do not assume that you are immune from COVID-19. This illness is serious and can cause people to become critically ill. Please take all precautions to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
