Community Chat

[Mindy D]

There are eight companies that are making home COVID-19 test kits. You never have to get close to the test persons. The persons have been close to many infected people. I would say a big, "No thank you." to that. Only one of the companies will not ask for payment up front, PIXEL by LabCorp.They will bill your insurance directly. The other seven ask for payment and then you contact your insurance for reimbursement. The tests are not very expensive, ranging from $109-$155. The tests have been authorized by the FDA. The tests are prioritized for those that may have been exposed, the at risk persons, or those with current symptoms. Additionally, two other companies are awaiting approval from the FDA for home antibodies testing. All the at home tests are molecular tests. 

The companies offering tests: 

Everlywell $109, LetsGetChecked $119, Picture by Fulgent Genetics $119, Vitagene $129, Vault $150, him&hers $150, Phosphorus $155.

For a very good article about the tests, including their reliability, put this title into your search bar 

COPY PASTE ARTICLE TITLE BELOW INTO YOUR SEARCH BAR. 

Can I Test for Coronavirus At Home? The State of At-Home COVID-19 Tests

[Deree]

I know that Everlywell is a reputable company.  I'm on a forum where a lot of people use them to test for all kinds of food sensitivities.  They run extremely detailed tests for that.

I would just be concerned about spending this kind of money for a covid test because it sounds like they're not 100% reliable out in the field.

[Mindy D]

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@Deree wrote:

I know that Everlywell is a reputable company.  I'm on a forum where a lot of people use them to test for all kinds of food sensitivities.  They run extremely detailed tests for that.

I would just be concerned about spending this kind of money for a covid test because it sounds like they're not 100% reliable out in the field.

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@Deree @For much more about the tests and reliability, please read the article. There's discussion of how reliability has been determined by each company for each test. I would be much less concerned with testing this way than by standing in line with hundreds of sick people and coming into contact with testers that have had contacts with hundreds of sick people. The tests used in person may be no more reliable than the at home tests and many are made by the same company.

[Deree]

@Mindy D  I agree I wouldn't want to stand in line with hundreds of potentially sick people.  Fortunately we don't have that situation where I live as we have ample testing sites but I do see that in other parts of the country.  There are also drive through testing sites which is better than standing in a line.

[Snowpuppy]

Hmmmmm. Wonder what the # of false positives are?

They have your name, address, cc#, results and likely insurance co info.

Wonder how much of a goldmine that's worth?

[DiAnne]

So many of the tests have proved unreliable I would be leary

[Mindy D]

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@Deree wrote:

@Mindy D  I agree I wouldn't want to stand in line with hundreds of potentially sick people.  Fortunately we don't have that situation where I live as we have ample testing sites but I do see that in other parts of the country.  There are also drive through testing sites which is better than standing in a line.

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@Deree @Think of it this way. The person that administers the tests has been in daily contact with many persons that do have COVID-19. This tester has a likelihood of infection from so many exposures, just like hospital workers do. Avoiding contact is key to avoiding illness. The at home tests are definitely the way I would go. 

[Mindy D]

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@DiAnne wrote:

So many of the tests have proved unreliable I would be leary

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I'm leery of any tests, but a good shopper will research the accuracy of each of the available tests. These tests are made by the same companies as those made for the testing sites. LabCorp worked directly with the FDA to ensure its at test's accuracy.

[Mindy D]

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@Snowpuppy wrote:

Hmmmmm. Wonder what the # of false positives are?

They have your name, address, cc#, results and likely insurance co info.

Wonder how much of a goldmine that's worth?

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These are the same companies making all the other tests you have given that data to for years. Some do not request SS# because they let the customer contact their own insurance company. It would be wise to check into any concerns you have with any testing company it's tests before if you ever decide to get tested. 

[Anonymous032819]

$109 - $155 may not be "not very expensive" to you, but that  is a lot of money to a lot of people.

And when you are living from paycheck to paycheck, and have to account for every penny, sending away for  this test is a luxury that a lot of people just can't literally afford.