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As Arizona heads into the holiday season, the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing availability is imperative for Arizonans to have the safest possible holiday season. While Arizona has not implemented any additional stay at home or shelter in place orders, the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases is causing some concern on how to operate amongst family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are locations you can find COVID-19 testing in the Phoenix area where you can get a same-day or scheduled test and ensure your and your family’s safety this holiday season.
Who Can Get a Test?
If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been around someone with COVID-like symptoms, you should get a diagnostic test and stay away from others until you know your results.
Remember: you don’t have to feel sick to test positive for COVID-19. An estimated 40% of positive COVID-19 cases are either asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. Those people are still able to pass COVID-19 to others, and the people they expose can have more severe symptoms.
So think about who you’ve been around and what exposure you may have had. If there’s any doubt, get tested.
You can also use the CDC’s symptom checker to help you make testing decisions.
Where Can I Find COVID-19 Testing in Phoenix?
ASU Saliva Testing > (scroll-down on-page for site locations)
In addition to the Maricopa County-supported sites listed above, the Arizona Department of Health Services has a list of about 300 testing locations listed at azdhs.gov/COVID19Testing or call the Arizona COVID-19 hotline at 844-542-8201.
How Much Does a Test Cost?
There are many places to access free testing for COVID-19; however, it does vary by provider, so it’s important to ask ahead and check their website for details about any eligibility criteria or costs.
Does My Insurance Cover It?
Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-07PDF which requires all Arizona-regulated insurers to cover COVID diagnostic testing from all qualified laboratories, waive all cost-sharing requirements related to COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and cover telemedicine visits at a lower cost-sharing point for consumers than the same in-office service to encourage utilization of telemedicine for the duration of the state’s public health emergency.
Two pieces of federal legislation — the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the CARES Act — also stipulate public and private insurers fully pay for the cost of COVID-19 tests without passing costs along to patients. The FFCRA also covers testing for the uninsured through Medicaid with 100% federal financing.
Billing and eligibility criteria for testing vary by provider so it’s best to check with the testing site or your health care provider ahead. You also can check with your insurer about your coverage.
For more information on COVID-19 testing in Phoenix, visit the Maricopa County website.
Featured Photo Credit: Mufid Majnun on Unsplash
