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COVID-19 Testing

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1. Should I get tested?

• The CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested. Even if you have been vaccinated or have had COVID-19 in the past.
• View our handout, in English and Spanish, with details about isolating yourself from others while you are sick, taking care of yourself, getting vaccinated, and community support and resources available to people with COVID-19.
• For any questions about COVID-19, vaccines, testing, or resources, please call 303-220-9200. We are available from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
• Get text messages that support how to manage your symptoms, access care, and more by using the Colorado COVID Symptom Support tool. Review general questions and answers on the state’s FAQ page.

2. Where can I get tested?

• Review our list of free testing sites.
• Check the details of each testing site online for the most up-to-date information on cost, registration, ID requirements, and if a referral is needed.   
• Consider a Community Health Center. These clinics accept patients regardless of insurance status.
         - STRIDE Community Health Center provides telehealth and testing for the general public
         - Clínica Family Health provides telehealth and testing for current patients and the general public at their Lafayette location
         - Salud Family Health Centers provides telehealth and testing for current patients.
         - Peak Vista Community Health Centers provides telehealth and testing for current patients and the general public in El Paso County.
         - Sheridan Health Services provides an initial assessment by phone, telehealth conference, or in-person.

3. What should I know about At-Home testing?

We have published an updated guide to At-Home COVID-19 Testing. In it, you will find information on potential costs, the type of tests, and different testing providers. 

The CDC has updated their guidelines on when and why to use a self-test. Self-testing is one of several strategies to reduce the chances of COVID-19 transmission. Visit the CDC website for more details.

For translated resources in multiple languages and videos of at-home testing kit instructions by manufacturer, see University of Minnesota National Resource Center.

4. How do I order the free At-Home rapid testing kit?

Order tests from the Federal Government

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 3 sets of 4 free at-⁠home tests. If you already ordered your first or second set, order a third today. Visit covidtests.gov to order your free tests. Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

Pick up a test at a local community distribution center

Many locations across the state are partnering with CDPHE and local health departments to distribute at-home rapid antigen tests. Use the Map of Test Distribution Locations to find a location near you. There is a limited amount of test kits available, and it is possible a location may not have supply on-hand when you visit. 

Information after testing 

Once you have your test results, please follow these instructions on how to interpret and report your results.

If you have symptoms, you should get tested immediately and isolate. You may visit Testing for COVID-19 for a list of more than 100 free state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites across the state.

5. How can I get to a testing site if I don’t have transportation?

A transportation guide for a variety of services is maintained by the Denver Regional Mobility & Access Council. This includes the Mile High United Way Ride United program, which is also available through the Mile High United Way 2-1-1 Help Center and phone lines.

6. If I have no symptoms, should I get tested for COVID-19?

The CDC recommends COVID-19 Testing for: 

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Those who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• People who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot physically distance as needed to avoid exposure, such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded or poorly-ventilated indoor settings.
• People who have been asked or referred to get tested by their healthcare provider, or state, tribal, local, or territorial health department.
• Updated quarantine guidance after you are exposed to someone with Covid-19 can be found on the CDC website and CDPHE website.

CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional. 

More information is available on who should get tested and when from the CDC. 

A negative test on a particular day does not guarantee that a person will not develop COVID-19 at any point in the future. For 14 days after exposure, regardless of your quarantine length, you should:

• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and get tested.
• Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Avoid contact with high-risk individuals.

7. What is the difference between the tests available?

Watch this video to learn about the difference between the tests available.  

• Find where you can get tested at www.tchd.org/COVID-19Testing
• Learn more about testing basics by reviewing the FDA testing fact sheet and Rapid-testing FAQS. 
• Learn about when to get tested even if you don’t have symptoms.

8. Should I get tested if I think I have been re-infected?

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms. Check with your healthcare provider if you think you have been re-exposed after 3 months of your last positive COVID-19 test and have developed symptoms.

As COVID-19 continues to circulate, individuals who had a positive COVID-19 test may be re-exposed to the virus. Many questions about immunity after infection remain and scientific studies are underway to determine whether someone who had an infection before can get be reinfected. Find where you can get tested.

9. What about COVID-19 at-home tests if I am blind or low vision?

Testing options that are more accessible for people who are blind and low vision and who use a smartphone are now available from the federal government. When connected to a smartphone application, these tests provide audible testing instructions and results to make the COVID-19 testing process more private and independent for people who are blind and low vision.

To receive the more accessible COVID-19 at-home tests from the federal government, click here to order online or call 1-800-232-0233. Each order will include two rapid-antigen tests. For more information visit: https://acb.org/accessible-COVID-tests.

If these tests will not meet your needs, please contact the Disability Information and Access Line of the Administration on Community Living for additional COVID-19 testing resources: 1-888-677-1199.

10. Where can I get ongoing care including primary care if I am uninsured?

These community health centers provide primary care services as well as COVID-19 testing services.

Community Health Centers 

These clinics accept patients regardless of insurance status.

• STRIDE Community Health Center provides telehealth and testing for the general public
• Clinica Family Health provides telehealth and testing for current patients and the general public at their Lafayette location
• Salud Family Health Centers provide telehealth and testing for current patients.
• Peak Vista Community Health Centers provide telehealth and testing for current patients and the general public in El Paso County.

Other FREE testing locations are listed on our testing site at www.tchd.org/COVID-19Testing.

11. How much does it cost to get a COVID-19 test?

• Free testing sites are available in the community for people with or without insurance.
• COVID-19 testing is covered by all major insurance plans.
     - Contact your health insurer for specific information.
     - Work with providers that are in-network for testing.
     - Out-of-network cost for testing can range from $100 to $200.
     - In addition to the testing fee, some sites have provider and lab costs. Ask about pricing if you plan to pay out of pocket.
• For help with disputing medical bills first contact your insurer. If problems continue, you can reach out  to the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative’s (CCHI) Consumer Assistance Program or the Colorado Division of Insurance.

12. What about antibody/serologic testing?

Antibody tests look for past infection

Antibody or serology tests look for antibodies in your blood to determine if you had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Antibodies are created by your body’s immune system soon after you have been infected or vaccinated.
• Antibodies help you fight off infections and can protect you from getting that disease again. How long this protection may last is different for each disease and each person.

 A COVID-19 antibody test should not be used to diagnose a current infection with the virus. It can take up to 1 to 3 weeks after the infection for your body to make antibodies.

A positive COVID-19 antibody test means past infection

A positive antibody test is presumed to mean a person has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 at some point in the past. It does not mean they are currently infected.

You may test positive for antibodies even if you have never had symptoms of COVID-19. This can happen if you had an infection without symptoms, which is called an asymptomatic infection.

How long antibody protection lasts is uncertain

Having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 may provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. But even if it does, we do not know how much protection the antibodies may provide or how long this protection may last. 

You should continue to protect yourself and others since you could get infected with the virus again.

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
• Stay away from others who are sick.
• If you have not been fully vaccinated, please wear a mask when around others.

A negative COVID-19 antibody test means no antibodies detected

A negative antibody tests means you may not have ever had COVID-19 infection. Or, you could have had a current infection or been recently infected and your body had not made antibodies at the time your blood was drawn for the test.

Learn more

Read more about testing for past COVID-19 infections on the CDC website. 

13. Where can I find more testing resources and information?

Find where you can get tested at www.tchd.org/COVID-19Testing.

Additional testing resources and information

• Testing for COVID-19, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Testing for COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• COVID-19 and Insurance in Colorado: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/covid-19-and-insurance

14. What should I bring when I get tested?

Most testing sites ask that you bring the following items to get tested:

• A mask to protect yourself and the provider
• Proof of registration if you pre-registered
• A photo ID (if you have one) or proof of address
• Your medical insurance card (if you have one)

 Review the testing site’s website before you get tested. Not all items are required at every site and some sites may require additional information.

15. How do I get my results from my test?

The health care provider where you got tested will give you your testing results. Some sites have a phone number or portal for you to access and get your results. 

When you get tested ask how you will be able to get your test results.

16. How soon will I get my results?

Lab turn-around times vary based on where the test is being processed and number of tests being run currently. When you get tested, ask what their test/lab turn-around time is. You can also ask when registering or pre-registering so you will know what to expect. Lab turn-around times can change.

17. What is the difference between a rapid test and quick lab turn-around time?

Rapid, point-of-care

• Diagnostic tests that use a mucus sample from the nose or throat but can be analyzed at the doctor’s office or clinic where the sample is collected and results may be available in minutes. These may be molecular or antigen tests.
  • Note that rapid, point of care test refers to the testing technology being used and is different than the lab turn-around time.

Lab turn-around time

• The amount of time the lab takes to process the test and to be able to provide the results.

18. How are rapid COVID-19 tests different from other tests?

• Rapid tests use a swab from the nose or throat. The swab is analyzed at the doctor’s office or clinic where you are tested. Test results from a rapid test should be available in one hour or less. 
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests are still the most accurate. PCR tests also use a swab from the nose or throat. PCR tests are not rapid and the swab must be sent to a laboratory to analyze the test. Wait times for PCR test results can be as short as 24- 48 hours. If laboratories are overwhelmed it can take a week or more to get results. 
• We encourage you to ask any testing provider how long it will take to get your results and how you will be contacted to get your results. 

19. What are the different types of rapid COVID-19 tests available?

• Molecular: Molecular tests diagnose COVID-19 based on detection of the virus’s genetic material. The rapid molecular test is highly accurate, but the supplies for this test can be limited. 
• Antigen: Antigen tests diagnose COVID-19 based on detecting different parts of the virus. Antigen tests are best used on people who have had COVID-19 symptoms for a few days. However, for people who want to get tested and do not have symptoms, antigen tests have a higher chance of missing an active infection. If you do not have symptoms but got a negative antigen test, your health care provider might order a molecular test to make sure you don’t have COVID-19. 

20. What should I know about rapid testing before getting a rapid test?

Rapid testing can be useful to quickly help determine if you have COVID-19.  Rapid molecular and rapid antigen testing is widely available in the Denver Metro Area. Many urgent care centers and some Walgreens locations offer rapid testing. We encourage you to call the site or visit their website before you go to find out if they offer rapid testing and what type of rapid testing they offer.

Antigen tests with positive results are usually highly accurate. However, negative results may need to be confirmed with a molecular test. If you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19 but need to be tested, a molecular test may be the better test to use.  

To find a location near you, visit the Colorado COVID Testing Locator. Some free sites offer rapid testing as well as the urgent cares that are listed.

21. What questions should I ask the site that is conducting rapid testing?

• What type of rapid test are you offering, molecular or antigen?
• Does the rapid test being offered have Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA?
• Is the rapid testing covered by insurance?
• Which insurances does the test site accept? You should also check with your insurance company before you are tested that the site and the test will be covered.
• Are there any additional costs associated with the testing that may not be covered by my insurance?
• Are the samples being taken from a state certified CLIA waived vendor and are they sent to a CLIA certified laboratory?

22. What options are there for a homebound person to get tested or vaccinated?

If the family is insured through Medicaid or other insurance. Dispatch Health can provide COVID testing in the home, 720-647-5329.

They can test if someone is exposed or if experiencing symptoms

They bill insurance directly (as an Urgent Care visit) - there is a fee for the service and a fee for the lab work as well.

If families do not have insurance the cost is $275.00 (visit) + $100.00 (lab work)

23. What are the requirements for travel?

Some states and countries require a negative test before entry. Often, these tests must be completed within 24-72 hours before arrival. In some cases, the tests must be a molecular test and rapid antigen tests will not be accepted. Find out which type of test the travel location will accept. It is a good idea to check with your airline before you go to make sure you can enter/exit your destination easily. Learn more about testing requirements at the Centers for Disease Control Testing and Air Travel Webpage.