COVID-19 Testing at
No Cost to You

Check to see if you are eligible for the $0 out-of-pocket COVID-19 testing program when billed to your insurance.

If you are uninsured, see if you qualify for $0 out-of-pocket testing options at select Quest locations.

  • Same-day appointments often available
  • For ages 2+, regardless of symptoms
  • Our test can detect COVID-19 regardless of strain
  • Those experiencing symptoms may request a COVID-19 and Flu Test
Get Started

At-home kits and in-person collection tests are available for your purchase at questhealth.com.

Patients without insurance who are symptomatic or exposed are eligible for $0 out-of-pocket COVID-19 testing (molecular, PCR) at select Quest locations, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

COVID-19 Testing at No Cost to You

Convenient COVID-19 Testing – How It Works:

Complete the questionnaire 1. Answer a few questions to see if you're eligible and book an appointment online.
Sign into MyQuest 2. Read your confirmation email for appointment details, sample collection process may differ by location.
Book appointment 3. Following your appointment, you'll receive an email when your results are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Testing and sample collection are available at a variety of locations, including Walmart®, Rite Aid, and Quest locations, and other pop-up sites. Eligible uninsured patients must select a Quest location for $0 out-of-pocket testing. Appointments are required at all locations.

Testing sites available to you may vary based on your location and whether you require a supervised collection. Locations may also vary depending on screening answers (symptomatic, exposed, high-risk, or pregnant).

Testing is not available in AK, DC, HI, ME, MT, ND, SD, and WY.

Quest does not currently offer the $0 out-of-pocket COVID-19 testing program for uninsured patients in the following states: AK, AL, AZ, DC, DE, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, SD, UT, VT, WA, and WY. If you live in Arizona, visit www.SonoraQuest.com/covid-testing.

This testing program is available to eligible insured individuals with no out-of-pocket costs when billed to a health plan, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Patients without insurance who are symptomatic or exposed are eligible for $0 out-of-pocket COVID-19 testing (molecular, PCR) at select Quest locations, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Individuals also have the right to have testing without submitting to insurance for reimbursement. Individuals who want to pay for the testing and do not plan to seek reimbursement can purchase a COVID-19 Molecular Test or a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (NY Only) from Quest's online store. Quest is unable to provide a receipt that contains the information generally required by health plans for reimbursement.

No, you do not need a doctor's referral or appointment to be eligible for testing. You can check your eligibility, book an appointment, and proceed with the sample collection at your own discretion. If you receive a positive test result (or an inconclusive or invalid result), you will be contacted by PWN to review your results. We encourage you to discuss your test results with your doctor.

This program includes both Molecular (eg, PCR) and Rapid Antigen COVID-19 tests. Rapid Antigen tests are only available at limited locations. The molecular tests can detect the virus better than the antigen tests, though no test is perfect. This program includes both Molecular (eg, PCR) and Rapid Antigen COVID-19 tests and a COVID-19 and Flu Molecular (eg, PCR) Test. The COVID-19 and Flu Test is only available if you are experiencing COVID-19 and/or flu symptoms. Rapid Antigen tests are only available at limited locations. The molecular tests can detect the virus better than the antigen tests, though no test is perfect.

What is a COVID-19 molecular test?
Molecular or nucleic acid tests (eg, PCR) check for genetic material (viral RNA) produced by the virus. This helps determine if an individual is currently infected with COVID-19 and can spread it to others. This test is conducted by a nasal swab.

This program is available to eligible individuals ages 2 and older. Patients between the ages of 2 and 17 must be accompanied to their appointment by a parent or legal guardian. This may vary based on the age of majority in your state.

Molecular (eg, PCR) test results typically are available by the end of the next day. You will receive an email when your results are available.

Recommended time to get tested varies based on need. If you're getting tested for travel or entertainment, check the testing requirements of the venue or carrier, and schedule your appointment within the required window. Please refer to our estimated turnaround times and ensure you leave time to receive your results.

You will receive a secure email with your results when they are available. If you'd like to view these results in MyQuest, our secure patient portal, you must log into MyQuest and ensure you have verified your identify. If you'd like to view your child's result in MyQuest, you must follow instructions to add your child to your MyCircle.

High-risk individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who have had mild to moderate symptoms for no longer than 10 days from onset of symptoms may qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment.

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to COVID-19. In high-risk patients, mAb treatment has been shown to decrease the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the rate of hospitalization.*

mAb treatment has the most clinical benefit during the earliest stages of infection. All those who receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test result through Quest's online store will be contacted by PWNHealth to evaluate eligibility and, if appropriate, prescribe treatment.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to permit mAb products for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

*Monoclonal Antibodies for High-Risk COVID-19 Positive Patients | combatCOVID.hhs.gov

You should get tested if:
  • You have symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath)
  • You don't have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19
  • You are at high risk, are pregnant, are immunocompromised, or have an underlying condition. Some examples of an underlying condition include heart conditions, high blood pressure, obesity, current or former tobacco use, chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, or HIV. See the full list of conditions here.
  • You don't have symptoms and haven't been recently exposed but live or work in a place where people reside, meet, or gather in close proximity (this can include healthcare settings, homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, group homes, prisons, detention centers, schools, and workplaces)
  • Your employer, public health department, contact investigator, or healthcare provider has identified you as someone who should get tested. If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19 or that you have been exposed to the virus, you should consult your place of work for specific guidance about whether to stay home or continue working. Visit the CDC website for more information about testing

You should not get tested if you:
  • Currently have severe symptoms that limit your daily activities. Seek medical attention right away if this is the case
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months. Speak with your healthcare provider prior to getting tested

Most of our locations offer molecular testing only, but select locations offer rapid. If rapid is available in your location, it will be an option after you enter your zip code.

This test may be helpful if you:
  • Do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and would like to use the test result to resume social activities
  • Plan to visit a location or establishment that requires testing prior to arrival

This test may not be helpful if you:
  • Currently have COVID-19 symptoms. These include, but are not limited to, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days
  • Have come in close contact with an individual confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 10 days

Test results will tell you whether or not you are currently infected with COVID-19. If your results are positive, it is important to isolate immediately and continue to monitor your symptoms. If your results are negative, it means the virus was not detected in the sample you provided.

If you select that you need a supervised collection, your sample collection will be observed by a healthcare professional, and results will indicate a supervised sample collection.

PWNHealth is an independent healthcare provider network that provides medical oversight services to you for the laboratory testing that you requested. Each test requested is evaluated and, if appropriate, ordered by a physician at PWNHealth.

If your test results are abnormal, PWNHealth's Care Coordination Team may attempt to contact you to notify you of your results. You will also have an opportunity to schedule a telehealth consult with an independent licensed physician or other healthcare provider from PWNHealth who can answer any questions you may have about your test results and help determine next steps.

You do not need to do anything to prepare for the test. You do not need to fast or stop taking any medications before testing. Further instructions will be provided to you at the collection location.

A molecular test may not detect the virus in early stages of infection. In addition, a molecular test may not detect the virus if there was a problem with your sample, such as when the sample is not collected as directed. A false-negative result can occur in persons who test negative for COVID-19 but have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

If you select that you need a supervised collection, you will only be able to book an appointment in locations that offer supervised collection. Your sample collection will be observed by a healthcare professional, and results will indicate a supervised collection.

If you indicate that you do not need a supervised collection, your sample collection may or may not be observed by a healthcare professional and your report will indicate an unsupervised collection.

A supervised test will include a sample collection observed by a healthcare provider. If you are required to show proof of a supervised negative test result for reasons such as travel, this option may be right for you. Location and appointment availability may differ from other test options. When scheduling an appointment, look for the phrase ‘Drive-thru’ or ‘Collection at a Quest Diagnostics PSC’.

An unsupervised test is self-collected. You may be responsible for picking up a collection kit in a store and shipping your sample collection with a prepaid FedEx return label. When scheduling an appointment, look for the phrase ‘In-store pickup’.

If you are uninsured, there are many ways to get tested:

  • Quest offers $0 out-of-pocket testing for eligible uninsured patients at select Quest locations in most states, except AK, AL, AZ, DC, DE, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, SD, UT, VT, WA, and WY.
  • Patients can purchase COVID-19 testing out-of-pocket at questhealth.com.
  • If you live in Arizona, visit www.SonoraQuest.com/OrderCovid.
  • Your state Department of Health may offer $0 out-of-pocket testing options.
  • You may qualify for Medicaid or apply for other state-funded programs that cover testing costs. Visit the below websites to learn more:
  • To speak with customer service, call 1.866.697.8378 (toll-free).
FAQs updated 10/21/22
SEE MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

*The Quest Diagnostics molecular test and other authorized molecular tests (together the “molecular tests”) have not been FDA cleared or approved;

*The molecular tests have been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories;

*The molecular tests have been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARSCoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and,

*The molecular tests are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.