We have found that it is often difficult to understand exactly when to get tested for Covid-19 and who will be paying for the testing. In general, we look to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), for guidance.

GoMed Offers Covid-19 Testing in all of the markets that we serve including:

Free Covid-19 Testing

If you are looking for FREE Covid-19 Testing, please visit the link that corresponds to the state that you live in and search for FREE Testing Locations.

Georgia including Coweta and Fayette Counties – https://www.district4health.org/covid-19-testing-for-all-individuals/

Georgia including Cobb County – https://www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com/services/epidemiology-infectious-disease/novelcoronavirus/

Considerations for who should get tested as per the CDC

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19
• People who have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
• People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local external icon or state health department.
• Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.

Reference the CDC at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html

Types of testing offered by GoMed

GoMed provides two options for Viral Covid-19 Testing including Rapid (Antigen).

Who pays for the testing

The key to the cost of your Covid-19 testing being covered by your insurance is that it is deemed Medically appropriate by your attending health care provider, in this case GoMed. Medically appropriate is defined as the individual has signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or has had known or suspected recent exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Please keep in mind that this does not include people that just want to be tested, require testing for travel, or require testing required to return to work.

Since the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on March 18, most people should not face costs for the COVID-19 test or associated costs. Starting on March 18 and lasting for the duration of the public health emergency, all forms of public and private insurance, including self-funded plans, must now cover FDA-approved COVID-19 tests and costs associated with diagnostic testing with no cost-sharing, as long as the test is deemed medically appropriate by an attending health care provider. This includes high-deductible health plans and grandfathered plans, but does not apply to short-term, limited duration plans. As outlined by CMS in a series of FAQs, there is no limit on the number of COVID-19 tests that an insurer or plan is required to cover for an individual, as long as each test is deemed medically appropriate and the individual has signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or has had known or suspected recent exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Federal guidance does not require coverage of routine tests that employers or other institutions may require for screening purposes as workplaces reopen. 

Reference the CDC at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/FFCRA-Part-43-FAQs.pdf

Updated CDC Guidelines For Covid-19 testing Related To Travel

Testing could improve traveler safety.

The safest thing to do is to stay home, but if you do decide to travel, testing can help you do so more safely. You and your travel companions (including children) may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others in busy travel environments like in airports, and bus and train stations. You can also spread it to family, friends, and your community after travel. Testing does not eliminate all risk, but it can help make travel safer.

• If you are traveling, consider getting tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip. Also consider getting tested with a viral test 3-5 days after your trip and reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, consider reducing non-essential activities for 10 days after travel.
• Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel; you may be asked for them.
• Do not travel if you test positive; immediately isolate yourself, and follow public health recommendations.
• You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You and your travel companions (including children) may pose a risk to your family, friends, and community. Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting COVID-19 for 14 days after travel:
• Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.
• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces outside of your home, including when using public transportation.
• If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness.
• Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.

Reference the CDC at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

GoMed Payment Options

For the payment of Covid-19 Testing we offer three options, Insurance billing for Medically Appropriate patients, Self-Pay for patients want a test, require one for travel or need one for other purposes and group testing for large groups, typically 10 people or more.

Our self-pay options is as follows:

Rapid Antigen Testing $215 per person with results in 15 minutes.