COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines 7 Days a Week

It typically takes 2-4 days for PCR test results to come back from the lab. We use more than one lab, so it is possible that some people in your family may receive results sooner than others. Rapid test results are communicated on the same day that you test.

The results will be available in approximately 2-4 days.

The swab test we use to test for the virus is called the Hologic SARS CoV-2 assay on the Panther. This is a PCR test, which is the best available. PCR swab tests are sent to different labs which are of high quality, CLIA complexity, and with short turn-around-times. For more information about the test, click here. For a patient friendly information sheet, click here.

Anterior nasal sampling, when the medical assistant swabs just the inside of nostrils, is less invasive and results in less patient discomfort than sampling from the traditional nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs (the one people say touches the brain… fyi, it does not actually do that). With technology and higher sensitivity of PCR, we have discovered that anterior nasal swabs are just as good as the traditional nasopharyngeal swabs. Furthermore, many people are reluctant to get tested due to the NP swab discomfort. This all being said, if someone wants to get the traditional NP, we will be happy to do this, just ask the medical assistant when getting the swab. We now use anterior nasal swabs for both PCR and rapid testing.

The results will be available in approximately 2-4 days.

We do have a limited quantity of rapid tests available. Because these are scarce and need to be used on the proper patient population, we must adhere to the FDA EUA guidelines. In order to get the test, you must either:

1. Have symptoms (cough, sore throat, body aches, fever, chills) or
2. Have had an actual exposure (someone you were in contact with who has tested positive for COVID-19)

The provider will talk to you and decide if you qualify. If you qualify, we will also send another swab out (molecular or PCR swab) to our lab for additional confirmation. Because this virus is so new, all rapid tests are not as accurate as our lab sent PCR tests, so we want to ensure that you get an accurate result.

We use the Sofia SARS-CoV-2 antigen FIA by Quidel test. This tests for the presence of the COVID-19 RNA. We usually do nasopharyngeal swab to detect this (although we can also do oropharyngeal, as well). According to the FDA EUA, they have a 99.5% agreement with the PCR lab swabs. However, we do not feel as confident as those numbers (which were self-reported and a very small sample size of 209 patients to the FDA). We feel that they have more like an 85% accuracy (per our own data of over 20,000 patients). This is the reason we ALWAYS send the PCR lab swabs to the lab on every patient. This is because if you are positive for with the rapid, it could be a false positive. Likewise, if you are negative with a rapid test, it could turn out that your PCR is positive and you do have COVID-19. This is why it is important to continue to isolate even after the rapid if you are having symptoms.

Please read the fact sheet for patients here and posted around our testing facility. We may ask you to verbally consent that you have read the fact sheet prior to getting the test.

We accept insurance for the Rapid COVID-19 test. This test is only available to patients who are currently experiencing symptoms, or who have had a known virus exposure. We require a PCR virus swab test in addition to the rapid test in order to ensure accuracy. We do feel the rapid swab is a good test (per their self-reported data of 99.5% agreement with molecular/PCR testing per the FDA EUA), however it is not as good as the PCR lab test. The rapid is optional. We usually get the lab test back in 2-4 days, and the rapid result will be given to by 9 PM on the same day (we will text you with the results).

Innovative Express Care accepts most insurance plans (PPOs, Medicare, and the Advocate hospital system HMO). If you do not have medical insurance, you may receive the COVID-19 virus swab test FREE under the (CARES) Act. Patients who have an insurance plan we do not accept, such as Medicaid, may self-pay $250 for the examination and COVID-19 test, or $400 if you also want to get the rapid test.

The Beckman Coulter antibody test looks for IgG and IgM antibodies in your blood. This test measures the antibodies using the spike protein, which is uniquely found in the COVID-19 virus. The test requires a simple blood draw and insurance is accepted. Results are available in 1-2 days.

The Assure FaStep IgG/IgM gives you a qualitative IgG and IgM antibody result in the blood and is performed with a simple finger prick.

Insurance is accepted.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/emergency-use-authorizations

Innovative Express Care charges your insurance for the visit. We submit a 99203 or 99213 code for your provider visit. The diagnosis code is Z03.818.

In Chicago, we will send your blood draw to the lab and the lab will bill your insurance.

In Downers Grove, we will also submit the code 86328 for your finger prick test.

Patients who are uninsured may receive care under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides COVID-19 care at no cost to the individual.

If you think you might have been exposed to the COVID-19, see our COVID-19 experts by making an appointment here. This is the best way to get the testing you may need, including testing for COVID-19, influenza, strep throat, or mono at Innovative Express Care.

If you are concerned you may have or have had COVID-19, please schedule a COVID-19 test or COVID-19 antibody test with one of our providers. The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and respiratory symptoms. In some cases, patients also experience loss of taste/smell and GI symptoms. Patients with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19.

Average incubation 5-6 days (range 1-14)

From onset to max illness – usually about a week.

Recovery is about 2 weeks for mild to moderate disease but 3-6 weeks for severe disease.

It is relatively unlikely, but not completely ruled out as a possibility. At least short term immunity is noted: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762452

It is a risk for more severe disease. Specific details for each illness are not currently available. It is still relatively rare and developing. Pregnant women do not appear to be at higher risk for severe disease.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30150-9/fulltext

https://www.rheumatology.org/announcements

We have both indoor and outdoor virus testing areas, so it depends on which clinic you visit. Due to the winter months, our Downers Grove location has moved indoors. Our Lincoln Avenue clinic is also indoors. At Diversey, the majority of our patients are tested while in their car in our drive-thru. The drive-thru is a large garage with both ends open for entering/exit, so it is open air, yet partially enclosed. We do however have walk-in testing at Diversey as well. This may be done in our garage area, or in our lobby. All testing sites take measures to ensure social distancing and patient safety.

We will schedule your second appointment when your first vaccine is administered. This will be 28 days after your first dose.

A low grade fever or ache at the injection site is possible. More information about possible vaccine side effects, can be found on the CDC website.  

We have a -20 degree freezer for storing the vaccine.

More information about the Moderna COVID vaccine can be found on the patient vaccine recipient fact sheet here, and on the FDA website. 

We are administering the vaccine in accordance with the CDC and CDPH guidelines. Please visit the Chicago Department of Public Health site for more information.