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The results only took two days.
I'm purchasing additional life insurance coverage and had to have a medical exam last Monday, September 14th. During this exam, I had to provide a blood and urine sample. The life insurance company pays for this exam and labwork.
I always ask for a copy of my labwork results and forward them to my personal physician to add to my health history. There's no cost for getting a copy of your medical exam results. My exam results arrived via text message on Wednesday, September 16th. The good news: I'm very healthy.
As an option, the lab offered me a Covid-19 antibodies test for only $14.50 using the blood sample I had already provided. The offer indicated that the results will not be shared with the life insurance company.
As far as I know, I've never had the China Virus. I haven't been sick in the last two years. But I was curious, so I clicked the right buttons and paid the $14.50. The results arrived this morning, September 19th, via text message.
And here's what I know now:
Here's some additional information provided with my results:
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This test is intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a prior infection. Results for the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are generally detectable 1-3 week after infection, although, how long they are present after infection is not well characterized.
Your NEGATIVE RESULTS do not preclude a SARS-CoV-2 infection. An antibody test should not be used to diagnose a SARS-CoV-2 infection. If infection is suspected, due to prior exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 infected person or you have current COVID-19 symptoms, direct testing by molecular methods for SARS-CoV-2 is necessary and you should contact your personal physician for medical follow up. For guidance on interpreting COVID-19 testing results:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Testing-Guidance.pdf
This test has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use by authorized laboratories.
Please review the "Fact Sheets" available regarding COVID-19 at the following websites: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
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I only paid $14.50 for this antibody test. A family member reported to me that she paid $75.00 for an antibody test last month, and that price was with the "discount" from using her health insurance.
For giggles and grins, I looked up the urgent care clinic that's one block from my home. They advertise the Covid-19 Nasopharyngeal Virus Antigen Detection Test with results in 15 minutes, as well as PCR molecular antibody tests with results in two to five days, and a blood serum antibody test like I had this week.
If you have health insurance, most of the major insurance companies are waiving copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for active virus detection testing, but not for the antibody test. You may not have to pay anything at the time of service for an active virus swab test. That said, you would need to pay your urgent care copay or deductible for the blood antibody test. Benefits depend on your specific insurance plan.
Their fee for walk-ins without insurance (self-pay) is $100 for the visit, plus $60 for the 15-minute result test, for a $160 total out of pocket cost.
If you want a blood antibody test like I had this week, that's $100 for the office visit, $130 for outside labwork, plus $20 to collect the blood sample. That's $250 total if you pay for the test with cash.
If you want or need more life insurance, and you want to get a Covid-19 blood antibody test, then let's talk. Call me today at (800) 680-5596. Or click here.
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