Coronavirus Antibody Testing sites

[MichaelB]

I heard a very good podcast this morning on testing, covering both virus and antibody. “Deep Background with Noah Feldman” Noah interviews Omai Garner, director of clinical microbiology testing at UCLA Health. https://pushkin.fm/deep-background

Garner feels virus testing is more accurate right now, warns about the accuracy of antibody tests, but feels there are some highly accurate antibody tests available. The key will be in how to identify the reliable tests.

 

[folivier]

Baton Rouge General hospital has started antibody testing for $100.00
No idea how long it will take for the results. DW and I will get it done but are waiting to see if insurance will cover the cost.
From their website: While there are many different types of antibody tests available, Baton Rouge General is using the COR2G serology test developed by Mayo Clinic. A blood draw will be taken at our urgent care locations and sent to The Mayo Clinic Laboratory for testing. This is one of the most robustly validated tests performed through Mayo Clinic labs. This test yields a 98.6% specificity (ability of the test to correctly identify those with antibodies).

 

[Rianne]

Baton Rouge General hospital has started antibody testing for $100.00
No idea how long it will take for the results. DW and I will get it done but are waiting to see if insurance will cover the cost.
From their website: While there are many different types of antibody tests available, Baton Rouge General is using the COR2G serology test developed by Mayo Clinic. A blood draw will be taken at our urgent care locations and sent to The Mayo Clinic Laboratory for testing. This is one of the most robustly validated tests performed through Mayo Clinic labs. This test yields a 98.6% specificity (ability of the test to correctly identify those with antibodies).

This is what our local health system is researching right now, partnering with Mayo Clinic. There are no claims that give false hope, it is research. The link is to the local story, brief and lacking confusing data or claims. I'm thrilled it's happening in my community.


“The immediate goal is to determine if convalescent plasma can improve the chance of recovery for people with the most severe illness,” said Dr. Mark Johnson, a Carle critical care doctor. “A second goal is to test whether convalescent plasma can help keep people who are moderately sick from becoming sicker.”
Dr. Louis Katz, an infectious disease specialist and chief medical officer with Community Blood Services, said the therapy is unproven, but there are precedents suggesting it’s modestly effective for several other infectious diseases, including influenza.


https://www.news-gazette.com/corona...cle_f9c09629-2c24-5be2-8180-743c16192bc2.html

 

[folivier]

That is another benefit for antibody testing. If we do have antibodies we will donate blood if it is beneficial to others suffering with the virus. So in my thinking they should make the testing free if you agree to donate blood.

 

[SecondCor521]

That is another benefit for antibody testing. If we do have antibodies we will donate blood if it is beneficial to others suffering with the virus. So in my thinking they should make the testing free if you agree to donate blood.

I would likewise like to see as many of those who able and are confirmed positive to donate blood products to assist in convalescent plasma therapies. I believe this is shown to be effective as a therapeutic (?) and is probably reasonably safe. Personally if I were sick with this thing, I'd discuss the option with my doctor.

But I suspect from the name that donors would probably have to donate via an apheresis-style process, not just donate a pint of blood. Apheresis is a process where blood is repeatedly or regularly drawn over an hour or two, centrifuged to remove the desired product (plasma in this case), then the remainder returned to the donor via the same or a second needle.

Not an expert, just a long time platelet and occasional plasma donor. If anyone knows differently feel free to correct/clarify/amplify.

 

[FIREd_2015]

Article in New York Times on Coronavirus antibody test accuracy.

"...For the past few weeks, more than 50 scientists have been working diligently to do something that the Food and Drug Administration mostly has not: Verifying that 14 coronavirus antibody tests now on the market actually deliver accurate results... Of the 14 tests, only three delivered consistently reliable results. Even the best had some flaws..."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/...tion=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

[pdxgal]

Yes I'm dying to take one given my February illness, but I'll wait until there is widespread acceptance of results. I don't want to get a false positive and find out later it's wrong (even if I assumed it might be, no point in getting good news and knowing it can't be reliable just yet)

+1. I was also sick in Feb for almost 3 weeks, with a dry cough. One day felt achy and had 100.5 fever, but went away. Eager to find out if it was the 'rona, but don't trust tests yet (in the US anyway).

 

[LOL!]

Article in New York Times on Coronavirus antibody test accuracy.

"...For the past few weeks, more than 50 scientists have been working diligently to do something that the Food and Drug Administration mostly has not: Verifying that 14 coronavirus antibody tests now on the market actually deliver accurate results... Of the 14 tests, only three delivered consistently reliable results. Even the best had some flaws..."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/...tion=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Q.E.D.

 

[audreyh1]

Article in New York Times on Coronavirus antibody test accuracy.

"...For the past few weeks, more than 50 scientists have been working diligently to do something that the Food and Drug Administration mostly has not: Verifying that 14 coronavirus antibody tests now on the market actually deliver accurate results... Of the 14 tests, only three delivered consistently reliable results. Even the best had some flaws..."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/...tion=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Yeah, I read a similar article a couple of days ago, and it was very disturbing.

 

[FIREd_2015]

LabCorp is offering COVID-19 antibody test for $10. I'm assuming this is being subsidized by the Government. Even though there are still some issues/questions on the reliability of the test, it's worth it for $10.

https://www.labcorp.com/

 

[audreyh1]

LabCorp is offering COVID-19 antibody test for $10. I'm assuming this is being subsidized by the Government. Even though there are still some issues/questions on the reliability of the test, it's worth it for $10.

https://www.labcorp.com/

Wow, that’s a big change!

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

I think the $10 just for their doctor group to order the test then Labcorp will bill your insurance or the government if no insurance available. I tried to find a cash price for test and couldn't. I have Kaiser high deductible plan so I assume I would have to go through them or pay just cash fro less hassle.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are no upfront out-of-pocket costs for the antibody test. You can get the test through your doctor, healthcare provider, or through LabCorp.com. LabCorp.com offers a convenient option where an independent physician will order your test and you will have an opportunity to consult about your result.* The fee for this service is $10 and is collected on behalf of PWNHealth for physician oversight services. This fee is not submitted for reimbursement by LabCorp or PWNHealth and is not refundable. If the test is ordered through your doctor or healthcare provider, the $10 PWNHealth fee does not apply. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider for more information.

LabCorp will bill the cost of the COVID-19 IgG antibody test directly to your insurance carrier, or if uninsured, to the appropriate government program. The cost of the test is based on rates established by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

 

[aiken]

I think the $10 just for their doctor group to order the test then Labcorp will bill your insurance or the government if no insurance available. I tried to find a cash price for test and couldn't. I have Kaiser high deductible plan so I assume I would have to go through them or pay just cash fro less hassle.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are no upfront out-of-pocket costs for the antibody test. You can get the test through your doctor, healthcare provider, or through LabCorp.com. LabCorp.com offers a convenient option where an independent physician will order your test and you will have an opportunity to consult about your result.* The fee for this service is $10 and is collected on behalf of PWNHealth for physician oversight services. This fee is not submitted for reimbursement by LabCorp or PWNHealth and is not refundable. If the test is ordered through your doctor or healthcare provider, the $10 PWNHealth fee does not apply. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider for more information.

LabCorp will bill the cost of the COVID-19 IgG antibody test directly to your insurance carrier, or if uninsured, to the appropriate government program. The cost of the test is based on rates established by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

I just did some investigation myself...you're correct. How frustrating is it to not get a simple straight answer on how much a blood test will cost? It's like trying to find the holy grail.

 

[FIREd_2015]

...How Much Does It Cost?...LabCorp will bill the cost of the COVID-19 IgG antibody test directly to your insurance carrier, or if uninsured, to the appropriate government program....

I paid the $10 and went to LabCorp to get my blood drawn today. They did not ask me for insurance info. When I arrived I said I prepaid the $10 online and the phlebotomist looked it up and checked my ID and then drew my blood so they are definitely not billing my insurance. This article I found online said "...LabCorp is billing the cost of the test to insurance companies or government programs..." so I'm going to assume they are billing a government program.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article242644406.html

edited (5/13) - after some research on various sites, it looks like test is done under the new CPT code 86769 and CMS reimbursement rate is currently listed as TBD. Most of the large insurance carriers have waived all copays, deductibles, & coinsurance for COVID-19 testing and treatment (until May 31 for Blue Shield of CA) and States like California have programs to pick up costs for the uninsured so I'm assuming LabCorp is not too worried about not getting paid. My guess is they will ask for insurance info at some point and if a person is uninsured they will then bill the appropriate State or Federal program.
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