Free Covid-19 testing in NYC (New York, Amsterdam: health insurance, houses, zip code)

[Kefir King]

Has anyone been tested for the virus and antibodies without needing qualifying insurance or any billing from the testing lab?

Where did you go for the test.

I checked the City MD website that said the sample taking is free but they can make no claim about what the unaffiliated lab will charge.

I just called City MD on E. 86th St. and the recorded message talked about "accepted insurance." My insurance sucks, few providers take it.

[NycLaidBack]

I went to my local webmd, they did take my insurance info, also read online and the office personnel confirmed its free.

Turn around time for results was almost two weeks.

[Henna]

Supposedly all NYC Health and Hospitals sites offer free testing, at least for Covid - not sure about antibodies. There are some in Manhattan. Maybe you can find a site near you. The test is "free" but if you have insurance, they will bill your insurance. I don't think they will turn you away if your insurance sucks, since they also agree to test uninsured people for free.

I recently had a test at a NYC Health and Hospitals site, and they asked for my insurance card. I said "I'm not sure my insurer will cover it; my insurance isn't great," and the response was that the test is free anyway. (But obviously "free" means they at least make an attempt to bill your insurance, since they want your insurance info.)

https://www.nychealthandhospitals.or...f%20the%20test.

From the website:

The COVID-19 test is free at these locations and no appointment is necessary. Please remember to bring ID and your insurance card. If you have insurance, NYC Health + Hospitals will bill your insurance plans for the cost of the test. However, patients will not be billed for any co-pays. Patients without insurance will be referred to a financial counselor to enroll in an affordable health insurance plan, like MetroPlus, or sign up for NYC Care.

Free, walk-in testing is available at these NYC Health + Hospitals locations. (** indicates availability of both the COVID-19 test and the antibody test)

Manhattan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
462 First Avenue
New York, New York 10016
212-562-5555
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
No appointments necessary

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health
Dyckman-Clinica de Las Americas
175 Nagle Avenue
New York, New York 10034
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
No appointments necessary

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur
227 Madison Street
New York, New York 10002
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
No appointments necessary

NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem
506 Lenox Avenue
New York, New York 10037
212-939-1000
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
No appointments necessary

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
1901 First Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-423-6262
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
No appointments necessary

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Sydenham
264 West 118th Street
New York, New York 10026
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
Monday – Satruday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
No appointments necessary

East 111th
141 East 111th Street
New York, NY 10029
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
No appointments necessary

Highbridge Pool
2301 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, New York 10033
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
No appointments necessary

Old Broadway
21 Old Broadway
New York, NY 10027
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
No appointments necessary

Saint Nicholas Houses
281 West 127th Street
New York, New York 10035
844-NYC-4NYC
COVID-19 Testing Offered Here
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Antibody Testing Offered Here
Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
No appointments necessary

[90sSitcom]

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page

I put in a zip code near you and those were the listed sites.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronaviru...9-testing.page

Upper east side ACPNY
ProHealth urgent Care Yorkville
Cure urgent Care upper East side
City MD urgent Care 96th Street
New York health + hospitals metropolitan
Parcare community Harlem
Citymd urgent Care 86th
Go health urgent Care center 81st Street
Lenox Hill hospital
New York health + hospitals 111th

[Arispen]

I went to CityMd on 67th Street. They did ask for my insurance card. I got the results 2 days later. When I looked at my Oxford account, it showed charges for CityMD and lab. CityMD billed them $300. Oxford paid $244. I assume agreed upon rate. Lab charged $50 or $55 and Oxford paid $44. There was no charge for me to pick up the balance.

FYI - I went to 67th location on a Sunday morning. No line. I waited for a few minutes. Went to examining room with nurse. Answered a few questions and had blood taken. You do not need a reason to be tested. I was out within 5 to 10 minutes.

[martinjsxx]

Just keep in mind that if you test positive even without symptoms (not to mention there have been false positives), you will have a mandatory quarantine and contact tracers will be in touch with you.

[Henna]

There has been some confusion about billing from sites like CityMD. I've heard of some people receiving bills for the lab testing part of it.

This is from the Gothamist:

"Additionally, some testing sites are also providing free tests to patients who are uninsured, while others are charging an out-of-pocket fee. In the case of CityMD, the urgent care chain is waiving patient costs for the office visit associated with an antibody test, regardless of insurance, but cautions that the labs processing the tests will bill patients separately."

https://gothamist.com/news/your-guid...d-accuracy-nyc

Pretty sneaky to claim the "test is free" and then charge that person for running the test through the lab for the results. I guess this doesn't happen all the time, since a poster a few posts above me didn't get charged, but sounds like some unlucky few are charged for the lab test. Perhaps it depends on how generous the insurance company is feeling.

[LizfromtheBronx]

I went to a CityMD location for an antibody test (not in the city, here in Westchester but it should be the same). I didn't pay a co-pay at the time, as the front desk person was unsure how it would be processed. I later got a bill in the mail for my co-pay. I don't think I should have had to pay it but frankly didn't feel like calling them and it was only $20 so I just paid it.

[Hannah5555]

KK,

Don’t you have Medicare? Test is free.

[Kefir King]

Hannah,

I have Medicare ADVANTAGE: UHC Mosaic Plan. The reason I opted for it was they had a wonderful agreed upon dental rate for all procedures (like root canal and post $525, basically half price compared to NY dentists, but you need to FIND a participating dentist) Alas they dropped the dental and now I am stuck with a plan that most specialists won't take, although visits to myGP are all free (no co-pay.)
Two tiers of drugs (everything I take) are completely free to me by mail.
Also Free eye-tests and glasses every year.

I guess I will walk into CityMD on 86th and get the full story from them.

Since testing positive or negative will not likely change my behavior much, if at all, I don't want to waste any out-of-pocket money.

But I WOULD like to know.

Thanks everybody.