Home COVID-19 Testing: Details on Available Kits, Procedures, Results, and More
In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, at-home testing kits have become an essential tool for individuals seeking to protect their health and the health of those around them. This guide will provide an overview of various at-home testing options, their costs, and key features.
There are several at-home testing kits available, each with its unique advantages. DxTerity COVID-19 Testing offers single-use tests for $85, with bulk discounts for companies. This test uses a saliva sample and provides results within 72 hours of receiving the sample.
Vitagene COVID-19 Saliva Test Kit costs $89 and also uses a saliva sample. It offers on-screen instructions and results within 72 hours after receiving the sample.
Ellume Home Test, priced at $34.99, uses a nasal swab and delivers results in just 15 minutes.
When choosing an at-home COVID-19 test, factors to consider include certifications, the ability to detect COVID-19 variants, the speed of results, consultations, clear instructions, the testing method, and the collection method.
Another option is the InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test, which costs $24.99 for two tests and uses a nasal swab, with results available in 30 minutes.
For individuals who require a more comprehensive solution, Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Test offers a nasal swab test. Results are available within 1-2 days after receiving the sample, and a clinician consultation is provided for positive or invalid results. This test is free for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, or it costs $119 for others.
As of January 2022, insurance coverage in the United States for COVID-19 home tests required that medically appropriate tests be ordered by a healthcare provider for diagnosis purposes. These tests were eligible for reimbursement when purchased from January 15, 2022, through May 11, 2023. During this period, many insurers waived member cost-sharing, and preferred pharmacy networks could bill insurance directly for OTC tests, resulting in no out-of-pocket cost for insured members.
However, the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration ending on May 11, 2023, marked a change in insurance coverage nationwide, as many insurers, such as Cigna, ceased coverage for OTC COVID-19 tests beyond that date.
It's crucial to note that anyone can develop COVID-19 symptoms, including fatigue, fever, sudden loss of taste or smell, cough, difficulty breathing, body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you are at high risk, such as those with chronic diseases or smokers, it's essential to contact a healthcare professional.
In some cases, individuals may need to take a home test if they show symptoms of COVID-19 or come into contact with someone who has tested positive and cannot access a healthcare professional or public testing site.
Remember, the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19, and human responses to the disease vary greatly, with some people experiencing mild symptoms and others requiring hospitalization. The virus can spread to others for up to 2 days before a person experiences symptoms and may continue to spread for 10-20 days after, depending on the severity of the disease and the strength of the person's immune system.
As a precaution, there are over 20,000 federally supported free testing sites across the United States.
In conclusion, at-home COVID-19 tests offer a convenient and accessible solution for individuals seeking to monitor their health during the pandemic. By considering factors such as certifications, testing methods, and collection methods, you can make an informed decision about which test is right for you. Always remember to prioritise your health and the health of those around you by following guidelines and seeking medical advice when necessary.
[1] Source: Insurance Coverage for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests [5] Source: Cigna Announces Coverage for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
- DxTerity COVID-19 Testing offers single-use tests for $85, while Vitagene COVID-19 Saliva Test Kit costs $89, both with saliva sample collection and results within 72 hours.
- Ellume Home Test, priced at $34.99, uses a nasal swab and provides results in just 15 minutes, contrasting Ellume with tests using saliva samples.
- InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test, costing $24.99 for two tests, uses a nasal swab, delivering results in 30 minutes and offering an alternative to pricier tests.
- Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Test offers a nasal swab test, providing results within 1-2 days and providing a consultation for positive or invalid results.
- Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to someone who has tested positive may be required to take a home test in the absence of healthcare professional or public testing site access.
- Home tests can be a convenient solution for monitoring health during the pandemic, but it's essential to prioritize health, consider certifications, testing methods, and collection methods before choosing a test, consulting a healthcare professional when necessary, and following guidelines to protect oneself and others from the coronavirus.
