Who will visit my home?
The medical team from Mend, a Los Angeles-based chain of Urgent Care and Primary Care Centers, will visit your home to perform the visit or set up the apparatus to perform a virtual visit before collecting specimen. This may include a Medical Assistant (MA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and/or Physician (MD/DO). Via a virtual visit, you will be seen via telemedicine by a licensed medical provider (MD/DO/PA/NP).
What is the COVID-19 test being performed?
As of March 9, 2020, Quest Diagnostics offers a new COVID-19 test service that aids the presumptive detection of nucleic acid in respiratory specimens of patients meeting CDC’s clinical criteria for COVID-19 testing. Quest will report presumptive positives to both the California Department of Public Health and to Mend.
What other screening tests can be performed?
In addition to Quest’s COVID-19 laboratory test, Mend can provide the following:
- Rapid Flu Test
- Rapid Strep Test
- Full Respiratory Panel Screening
The full respiratory panel screens for Influenza A, Influenza A subtype H1, Influenza A subtype H3, Influenza B, Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 1, Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 2, Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 3, Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) 4, Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) A, Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) B, Adenovirus, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus HKU1, Human Bocavirus, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Please note the Coronavirus targets in this respiratory panel are different from COVID-19. Please note there are additional charges for these additional tests.
How much will it cost and can I use my insurance?
Payment/deposits for the visit are as follows:
- $195* – At-Home COVID-19 Screening + Repid Flu Test
- $50* – Telemedicine Visit
PLEASE NOTE: *THIS IS A PAYMENT FOR A NON-COVERED SERVICE AND YOU MAY SUBMIT YOUR PROOF OF PAYMENT TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. Quest Diagnostics will bill you separately for the COVID-19 laboratory testing (and, if requested, the full respiratory panel). Quest Diagnostics will bill your insurance for this laboratory testing. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A PAYMENT FOR A NON-COVERED SERVICE AND YOU MAY SUBMIT YOUR PROOF OF PAYMENT TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
The prices listed above are payments/deposits for the Mend medical team to visit the home, perform the virtual visit and to collect specimen/perform rapid testing (as applicable).
Quest Diagnostics will bill you separately for the COVID-19 laboratory testing (and, if requested, the full respiratory panel). Quest Diagnostics can bill your insurance for the laboratory testing. Contact your health insurance carrier to see if your insurance benefits cover COVID-19 and respiratory screenings. Contact Quest Diagnostics to inquire the costs of the COVID-19 screening and full respiratory panel.
What will happen with my results?
The Quest Diagnostics test is a presumptive test. Any presumptive positives will be reported to the appropriate agencies (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health) and submitted for confirmation at government laboratories.
When will I receive my results?
You will receive results once Quest Diagnostics finishes its testing. As this is a brand new test performed under emergency use authorization (EUA) via the FDA, the targeted timeline is within 48 hours of Quest receiving the test. This timeline could change.
What is the treatment or action plan after getting tested?
Currently, there is no authorized treatment specifically for COVID-19. If you have symptoms that are mild in nature, it is recommended to treat those symptoms from home (e.g., get plenty of rest, drink fluids, manage aches & fever via over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen). If your condition worsens, seek prompt medical attention (e.g., difficulty breathing).
What else can I do if I think I have COVID-19?
As much as possible, you should stay at home, avoid public places, and avoid contact with other people. Monitor your symptoms and wear a facemask when you are around other people. Clean your hands often and clean “high-touch” surface areas. For more steps, visit the CDC Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19. As always, if your conditions worsen, seek prompt medical attention.