Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an incredibly precise and sensitive laboratory technique widely used in research and clinical settings to amplify or copy small segments of DNA.
PCR tests utilize short primer sequences called primers to attach to strands of genetic material from viruses, then repeatedly copy that sequence. A fluorescent signal is produced when amplification takes place.
How long does it take to receive PCR test results?
Turnaround time
The turnaround time for PCR test results varies between laboratories. Some take as little as minutes, while others can take up to a week or more.
Some clinics and pharmacies provide same-day PCR tests for travelers. These services are especially convenient for those without insurance or with limited coverage.
However, long delays can make it more difficult for those with HIV/AIDS to isolate themselves or avoid spreading the infection to others. Furthermore, these delays could potentially delay treatment for those with a positive PCR test, potentially resulting in them not receiving the necessary treatment.
Some criticize a delay in receiving results as unfair, particularly for those with lower incomes and less access to medical care. Furthermore, it can be difficult to tell whether a positive PCR test was caused by the COVID-19 virus or another infection.
Requirements
A PCR test is an incredibly accurate and sensitive way to detect bacteria and viruses. It utilizes a special machine to duplicate (or amplify) some genetic material. This involves attaching short primer sequences called primers to DNA in your sample, with the resulting copy easily detected with fluorescent dye.
This process is repeated repeatedly, creating hundreds of copies.
PCR tests are an effective way to detect infections in their early stages and help prevent their spread. Unlike other types of tests, PCRs can detect diseases that haven’t yet caused any symptoms.
PCR tests are usually administered by a healthcare provider at a hospital or clinic, though they’re also available at some private labs. Results take up to 48 hours to come back but most will provide you with an email or text message containing your results. It is best to get your PCR tested prior to leaving home and before traveling abroad.
Costs
The cost of PCR test results varies by laboratory and can be quite expensive if you need them quickly. To save money, look for a location that promises same-day results or provides on-site analysis when ordering the test.
At CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and other pharmacies, in-person PCR test locations can be found. On average the turnaround time for these places is one to two days; however this could vary between 125 minutes to five days depending on when your sample arrives at the lab.
Private insurance holders can take advantage of same-day in-person tests at Rite Aid’s drive-thru pharmacy, as well as mail-in kits and at-home testing options. Furthermore, those with HSA or FSA spending accounts may qualify for reimbursement through those programs.
Insurance coverage
If you have health insurance, some plans may cover PCR test results at no cost. Kaiser Permanente and other providers provide no-cost PCR testing at their facilities as well.
If your health insurance does not provide this coverage, a free or low-cost test can be obtained at a community-based testing site that offers point-of-care tests. These locations are commonly found in health centers and select pharmacies.
Some plans must reimburse individuals up to $12 per individual test (or the actual cost of the test, if less) when they purchase tests from retailers outside their network of preferred pharmacies and retail partners.
Consumers should save receipts from these tests and submit them to their plan or insurer for reimbursement. When doing so, make sure the entire bill for the purchase includes all required information like the test’s name, manufacturer, and date of purchase. It should be noted that patients do not need a doctor’s order in order to purchase these tests.