In a Nutshell
pros
- Use any Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp lab
- Results are secure and private
- Relatively inexpensive
cons
- Does not accept health insurance
- Results take 5-7 days
Health Testing Centers At a Glance
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Why Go With Health Testing Centers
The main reason to opt for Health Testing Centers for a COVID-19 antibody test is that the company makes things simple. You can visit any of thousands of labs across the US run by Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp. Plus, there’s no appointment necessary. Simply register for a test online and head to your local lab to have a blood sample taken.
It’s worth noting that Health Testing Centers is slow at delivering results compared to other antibody test providers. It typically takes 5 to 7 days to get results for your antibody test, compared to under 24 hours with other providers.
What it Tests For
Health Testing Centers tests for COVID-19 antibodies, and specifically the IgG antibody that is thought to confer long-term immunity to COVID-19. The antibody test kit used varies depending on what local lab you visit. However, all of the tests that Health Testing Centers offers have emergency-use authorization from the FDA and have demonstrated greater than 99% sensitivity to COVID-19 antibodies.
You should not use this test to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection.
How it Works
You can register for a COVID-19 antibody test on the Health Testing Centers website. There is a screening questionnaire to ensure you do not have any symptoms of an active COVID-19 infection, but there are no other restrictions on who can get tested.
Once you’re registered, you can walk into any Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp lab the same day without an appointment. Technicians will draw a blood sample, which only takes a few minutes, and then you can return home.
When your test results are ready, you’ll be able to view them on Health Testing Centers’ secure online portal. Test results typically take around 5 to 7 days.
Screening Process
Health Testing Centers uses an online questionnaire to identify whether you may have an active COVID-19 infection. If you have symptoms, you should get a PCR-based test for diagnosing COVID-19 rather than an antibody test.
The questionnaire consists of just 3 questions. If you do not have symptoms or a recent exposure to COVID-19, you are eligible for an antibody test.
Collection Process
An antibody test requires a blood sample, so you will need to visit a local testing lab to have blood drawn. You can visit any one of thousands of labs run by Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp on the same day you register for a test, without an appointment. You do not need to fast or worry about any other dietary restrictions before giving a blood sample.
When you arrive, a health technician will draw a small amount of blood from your arm. The whole process typically takes less than 10 minutes.
How Long for Results?
Health Testing Centers typically makes results available within 5 to 7 days. This is significantly longer than other antibody testing services, which advertise results in under 24 hours in many cases.
Report Features
Results are available online through Health Testing Centers’ secure online portal, and you will receive an email when your report is ready. Your report only includes a simple positive or negative result to indicate whether or not COVID-19 IgG antibodies were detected in your bloodstream.
Follow-Up Support
Health Testing Centers doesn’t typically offer follow-up support for your antibody test unless there was an issue with the testing, such as an inconclusive result that requires retesting. However, if you have questions about your test results, you can contact the company’s professional care team by phone or text message.
Pricing
The COVID-19 antibody testing kit costs $129, including all lab fees. Health Testing Centers does not accept health insurance, although you can use a Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account to pay for your test.
Confidentiality
Your test results are fully secure and private at Health Testing Centers. Your testing lab may report antibody test results to local or state health officials, but all data is protected by HIPAA and anonymized before sharing.
Customer Support
Health Testing Centers offers customer support by phone, text message, or email from 8am to 6pm Eastern, Monday to Friday. The company’s website doesn’t offer a lot of information specific to the COVID-19 antibody test, so you may need to call if you have questions about the test.
Bottom Line
Health Testing Centers makes it easy and affordable to get tested for COVID-19 antibodies. You can visit any one of thousands of local laboratories on the same day you register for a test without setting up an appointment. Giving a blood sample only takes a few minutes and test results are available in around 5 to 7 days. The whole process is seamless, and it’s a great way to find out whether you were previously infected with COVID-19.