COVID-19 Antibody Testing in NoVA (health insurance, price, refund)

[ToyVW55]

For anyone interested in getting a COVID-19 antibody test done in the NoVA area, I'm here to tell you it's very easy.

My husband had a very strange COVID-like illness in January. Of course, at the time, a COVID infection didn't cross our minds. He went to the doctor and was tested for influenza and strep. Both were negative. He had symptoms of a 103 degree fever, sudden cough and chest heaviness, horrible headaches, and chills. This went on for 2 weeks despite them giving him an antibiotic for suspected pneumonia. Finally the worst of it cleared, but he felt really bad well into February. Then he was just better.

In the back of his mind he was always wondering: What if I had it in January? I mean, you kind of hope you did!!!

Anyway, found out through a friend that Labcorp offers the test. You register for the test online and pay $10 (non refundable or insurance filable) that goes to some third party "robo doctor" that orders the test for you. This takes about 10 seconds. You get an order number back. You can then either do a walk in at Labcorp or schedule an appointment.

My husband requested the test at 2:30 PM yesterday (Thursday) and drove up to Labcorp at 3PM. He was in and out of there in 5 minutes--not a soul there and they aren't letting more than one person I think in the lobby. Results were back this morning. NEGATIVE!!!

I don't know the cost of the test itself. It is filed with our health insurance now. On the website there is some language about the price being set by Medicare rates or something like that. So the verdict is out on the real cost.

But just in case anyone thinks they may have had it and want to know, it's really very easy. The only recommendation they have is that if you've recently been sick to wait about 2-3 weeks to test because it takes awhile for the antibodies to develop.

[finalmove]

Originally Posted by ToyVW55

For anyone interested in getting a COVID-19 antibody test done in the NoVA area, I'm here to tell you it's very easy.

My husband had a very strange COVID-like illness in January. Of course, at the time, a COVID infection didn't cross our minds. He went to the doctor and was tested for influenza and strep. Both were negative. He had symptoms of a 103 degree fever, sudden cough and chest heaviness, horrible headaches, and chills. This went on for 2 weeks despite them giving him an antibiotic for suspected pneumonia. Finally the worst of it cleared, but he felt really bad well into February. Then he was just better.

In the back of his mind he was always wondering: What if I had it in January? I mean, you kind of hope you did!!!

Anyway, found out through a friend that Labcorp offers the test. You register for the test online and pay $10 (non refundable or insurance filable) that goes to some third party "robo doctor" that orders the test for you. This takes about 10 seconds. You get an order number back. You can then either do a walk in at Labcorp or schedule an appointment.

My husband requested the test at 2:30 PM yesterday (Thursday) and drove up to Labcorp at 3PM. He was in and out of there in 5 minutes--not a soul there and they aren't letting more than one person I think in the lobby. Results were back this morning. NEGATIVE!!!

I don't know the cost of the test itself. It is filed with our health insurance now. On the website there is some language about the price being set by Medicare rates or something like that. So the verdict is out on the real cost.

But just in case anyone thinks they may have had it and want to know, it's really very easy. The only recommendation they have is that if you've recently been sick to wait about 2-3 weeks to test because it takes awhile for the antibodies to develop.

$120 if you pay. Confirm that your insurer covers the cost first.

[ToyVW55]

Originally Posted by finalmove

$120 if you pay. Confirm that your insurer covers the cost first.

Yes, definitely! If you care about having to pay, please verify with insurance first. I didn't care either way as he really wanted the test done.

[sonnymarkjiz]

Hard pass for me, but kudos for the information! Good to know!

[Ffxdata]

I had symptoms in mid-March as did a child and spouse. We’ve all had “COVID toes” for over 3 weeks. Spouse and I both got the antibody testing and were both negative. There was no cost to us. Our insurance says they are covering it but I think they are actually billing the government for it. I’m not sure though.

[ToyVW55]

Originally Posted by Ffxdata

I had symptoms in mid-March as did a child and spouse. We’ve all had “COVID toes” for over 3 weeks. Spouse and I both got the antibody testing and were both negative. There was no cost to us. Our insurance says they are covering it but I think they are actually billing the government for it. I’m not sure though.

Interesting. Makes me wonder how reliable the tests are (I know they aren't perfect). Sounds like you fit the description for the illness.

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by ToyVW55

Interesting. Makes me wonder how reliable the tests are (I know they aren't perfect). Sounds like you fit the description for the illness.

The negative results were definitely a shock. My child had mild cough symptoms on March 15. On March 19, I had a headache that I couldn’t kick which lasted through the night. It was so bad I went to sleep from fatigue and pain at 7pm. I never get headaches. I then had a minor sore throat and low grade fever for 2 weeks with the toes arriving in April. I’ve experienced chilblains with snow on the ground but never in spring or summer.

When taking the test, they asked if it had been 2 weeks since symptoms. Well what counts as a symptom? Do the toes count? If so, then no, I’m still symptomatic.

[ToyVW55]

Originally Posted by Ffxdata

The negative results were definitely a shock. My child had mild cough symptoms on March 15. On March 19, I had a headache that I couldn’t kick which lasted through the night. It was so bad I went to sleep from fatigue and pain at 7pm. I never get headaches. I then had a minor sore throat and low grade fever for 2 weeks with the toes arriving in April. I’ve experienced chilblains with snow on the ground but never in spring or summer.

When taking the test, they asked if it had been 2 weeks since symptoms. Well what counts as a symptom? Do the toes count? If so, then no, I’m still symptomatic.

I think on the 2-week question they are talking about the classic symptoms and they developed that from when they thought this was a standard (but contagious) respiratory illness. Since you've been suffering since March, your body has definitely had time to produce antibodies even though the outward physical effects are still happening. I think they are more concerned with people who had the standard symptoms and recovered a few days ago and are coming in. Takes several weeks to form the antibodies. I'd say you are there.

[roodd279]

I think you have to keep the math in mind if you believe you had an early case. The virus was doubling every three days (not just here, but anywhere) - so unless you traveled, you got it FROM someone. It means sometime in February - just from your one case alone, plus the donor - there may have been 10 or 20 THOUSAND other sick people. SOMEONE would have noticed. You cannot have just had it - and been alone. It would very surprising if ANYONE had a COVID-Positive spouse for several weeks that did not, themselves, become COVID positive. It's quite contagious.


By March, more than 100 thousand people would have had it, and 100 of them (conservatively) would be dead.


Someone would have noticed.



This is why - while early cases aren't impossible - reaching back to 2019 is simply not something you will find.

[dkf747]

We believe we had it in early March, but was never tested. I have heard the anti-body tests are not very accurate, so I'm not going until they are reasonably accurate.