Free Rapid and PCR Testing

at Toledo Family Pharmacy

All Insurances Accepted: Medicare, Medicaid, CareSource, MolinaHealth, Buckeye Health Plan, Aetna, Anthem, United, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and more. Even if you are uninsured you can receive a free COVID test. There is no cost share or copay.*

* Testing is covered if you have had symptoms or may have come in contact with a person with COVID in the last 14 days. Testing for travel or work requires cash payment.

To get tested

Toledo Family Pharmacy - Main Street

324 Main St, Toledo, OH 43605 directions
Call: (419) 930-5830
Book Rapid Antigen Test Book PCR Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tests are available?

We offer PCR and Rapid Antigen tests. Both tests detect active infection. PCR test also known as SARS-COV2 RT-PCR test is the most accurate test for detecting if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is accepted for most travel. We also offer Rapid Antigen test. This is a fast test that only takes 15 minutes to get results. RT-PCR is more accurate than Rapid Antigen.

Are the tests good for travel?

The RT-PCR test is accepted for most travel.

How long does the PCR test results take?

We overnight the tests to the lab in Columbus, OH. The tests arrive next morning at the lab. The results are available within 24 hours of tests arriving at the lab. We try our best to return the results to you in 48 hours but cannot guarantee a specific timeframe.

What insurances are accepted?

We accept all insurances: Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, CareSource, MolinaHealth, Buckeye Health Plan, Aetna, Anthem, UnitedHealthCare, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and more.

Which testing is covered by insurance?

Any medically necessary testing is covered by insurance. This means if you have experienced symptoms or suspect that you have been exposed to COVID in the last 14 days your insurance will cover the testing. Both Rapid-Antigen and PCR tests are covered.

Which testing is not covered by insurance?

Testing required for travel, work, or school etc. is not covered by insurance. For testing not covered by insurance out of pocket cost for PCR testing is $135 and for Rapid testing is $75. Keep in mind that we have at home tests available at ~$12/test, these are not accepted for travel but may be accepted by your school or employer. At-home tests are also available for free from the government (upto 4 per household).

Do I have to pay anything for the tests covered by insurance?

No. If your tests is medically necessary (ie symptoms or suspected exposure) they are fully covered by insurance without any copay, deductible, or coninsurance requirement. For example if you are on Medicare the 20% coinsurance requirement does not apply.

What is medically necessary testing?

If you are feeling sick, have experienced COVID symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle aches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell), or suspect exposure to COVID in the last 14 days then the testing is considered medically necessary and is covered by insurance without any copay, deductible, or coninsurance requirement. Keep in mind that you don't have to be experiencing symptoms at the time of testing.

CDC recommends to get tested early before the symptoms become worse. Treatments exist but they must be started within five days to work. Symptoms can be mild or severe and appear 2-14 days after you are exposed. cdc.gov

Do I have to be experiencing symptoms at the time of testing to be covered by insurance?

No. Both CDC and CMS are very clear that the patient does not have to be experiencing symptoms at the time of the testing for it to be covered by insurance.

CDC recommends to get tested early before the symptoms become worse. Treatments exist but they must be started within five days to work. Symptoms can be mild or severe and appear 2-14 days after you are exposed. cdc.gov

According to CMS plans and issuers generally must cover, with no cost sharing, COVID-19 diagnostic tests regardless of whether the patient is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to COVID-19 when a licensed or authorized health care provider administers or has referred a patient for such a test. cms.gov

If I suspect that I have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19, do I have to say how and where the exposure happened to be covered by insurance?

No. There is no documentation requirement for suspected exposure. We do not ask where or how the exposure happened. We also understand that you may not know if someone coughing near you had COVID.

CMS is very clear on this guideline (see below).

“
Q1. Under the FFCRA, can plans and issuers use medical screening criteria to deny (or impose cost sharing on) a claim for COVID-19 diagnostic testing for an asymptomatic person who has no known or suspected exposure to COVID-19?
No. The FFCRA prohibits plans and issuers from imposing medical management, including specific medical screening criteria, on coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Plans and issuers cannot require the presence of symptoms or a recent known or suspected exposure, or otherwise impose medical screening criteria on coverage of tests. When an individual seeks and receives a COVID-19 diagnostic test from a licensed or authorized health care provider, or when a licensed or authorized health care provider refers an individual for a COVID-19 diagnostic test, plans and issuers generally must assume that the receipt of the test reflects an “individualized clinical assessment” and the test should be covered without cost sharing, prior authorization, or other medical management requirements. cms.gov

What if I am uninsured? Do I have to pay for testing?

No. Medically necessary COVID testing for uninsured patients is covered by HRSA. To be eligible for payment, the patient must not have any insurance at the time of testing. If you have insurance you are required to present it before the test.

What do I need bring for testing?

You need a government issued ID (such as a drivers license) and your medical insurance card. If you are on Medicare you need the Medicare Part B card (ie. the card used for doctor's visits). If you are uninsured only the government issued ID is required. You also need a phone (with messaging capability) to receive results of testing (standard messaging rates may apply).

How will I be notified of the results of testing?

You are notified of the results of testing by a secure message on your phone (standard messaging rates may apply).

What if I need to talk to a doctor about my symptoms?

We generally have a provider available to consult about your symptoms.

What treatments are available?

FDA has issued an Emergency Use authorization for Pfizer's Paxlovid for treatment of COVID. Paxlovid is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset. In clinical trials Paxlovid reduced COVID-19 related hospitalization or death by 88%. You can read the patient information sheet for more details.

Do you have Paxlovid available?

At present Paxlovid is in very short supply. Call or check in our pharmacist about supply.

Why are other places charging hundreds of dollars for COVID tests?

Some testing sites charge more money than insurances reimburse or may offer quicker turnaround times travel for PCR tests.