Frequently Asked Questions for COVID-19 Testing by Patients at Priority Urgent Care
Read our commonly asked questions from patients and what you need to know about getting a COVID-19 test. Priority Urgent Care & Walk In Clinic have convenient locations to serve you in Ellington CT, Unionville CT, East Haven CT, Cromwell CT, Oxford, CT and Newington, CT.


Table of Contents:
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
I do not have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, but I want to find out if I am an asymptomatic carrier. Can I get tested?
How many tests has Priority Urgent Care performed so far?
How accurate is the COVID-19 test?
How much does it cost to get an evaluation for COVID-19?
How much does it cost to get tested for COVID-19?
How much does the evaluation cost if I don’t have insurance?
Do I need an appointment to get tested?
How do I make an appointment?
Who is doing the evaluation?
How is the test done? Is it a blood test?
Can the COVID-19 test tell me if I already had COVID-19?
How long does it take to get the results of the test?
I think I may have had COVID-19 earlier this year. Do you offer an antibody test?
How is the COVID-19 antibody test performed?
If I already had COVID-19, does that mean I can’t get it again?
Is it safe to come to Priority Urgent Care for other issues?
Do I qualify for testing?
What type of test is performed?
How is my sample for testing collected?
How will I get results?
Is there an out-of-pocket cost?
Do you take insurance?
How much is your self-pay cost?
Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?
How do I prepare for the visit? What do I need to bring with me?
What if I need to bring my kids or other family members?
COVID-19 FAQ’s
Symptoms of COVID-19 are varied and can range from flu-like illness, abdominal symptoms, and conjunctivitis. Fever and shortness of breath are the more concerning symptoms, but patients can have malaise or generalized fatigue as well. Anyone with these symptoms can contact us at our Ellington or Unionville clinics and be evaluated for testing. For further information on symptoms please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Yes. We offer COVID-19 testing to everyone regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. Your insurance may or may not cover the test or the telemedicine visit based on your reason for getting tested. Please contact your insurance directly about costs.
Priority Urgent Care began evaluating for COVID-19 through our telemedicine option in mid-March and has performed MORE THAN 5000 tests so far.
The sensitivity of the COVID-19 test is 70-90%. It is important to know that even with a negative test, a doctor’s clearance is needed before returning to work, and precautions are still recommended when interacting with the community at large.
Most major insurance providers are covering the entire cost of the evaluation related to COVID-19. We recommend you call your insurance company to find out if you will be responsible for any part of the bill. We are in network with most major insurance carriers. To find out if we are in-network with your insurance company, please click here.
Most major insurance providers are covering the entire cost of the testing related to COVID-19. We recommend you call your insurance company to find out if you will be responsible for any part of the cost. We are in network with most major insurance carriers. To find out if we are in-network with your insurance company, please click here.
For people without insurance, we provide reasonably priced options for evaluation and testing related to COVID-19. Click here for charges without insurance.
Yes. We are offering evaluations and testing for COVID-19 by appointment only. For the health and safety of our staff and other patients, we are not allowing walk-ins for COVID-19. Click here to make an appointment online.
Appointments can be online, click here to make an appointment.
Evaluations for COVID-19 are done by our board-certified emergency physicians and physician assistants.
Testing for COVID-19 involves inserting a swab (like a long Q-tip) into the cavity between the nose and mouth (nasopharyngeal swab) for 15 seconds and rotating the swab several times. The swabbing is then repeated on the other side of the nose to make sure enough material is collected. The swab is then inserted into a container and sent to a lab for testing.
No. The COVID-19 test can only detect a current or recent infection.
COVID-19 PCR test results are obtained within 2 days.
Yes. If you think you may have already had COVID-19 and want to find out if you have the antibodies, we can perform an antibody test. Antibodies are proteins in the blood which help fight off a viral infection. Please book an appointment (click here) to get your test.
The COVID-19 antibody test is a blood sample. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose someone as being currently sick with COVID-19. To see if you have a current infection, you need a viral test, which checks respiratory samples, such as a swab from inside your nose.
An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.
Yes. We are seeing patients for a number of other issues such as urinary tract infections, minor injuries, poison ivy rash, etc. We do recommend calling ahead if you have questions or concerns. We are screening everyone who enters the clinic. We have always remained diligent in disinfecting our clinic every day and between patients.
Most people can get tested for COVID. People with symptoms and essential workers are prioritized over others. We will make recommendations based on each patient’s unique situation.
We perform rapid tests which give results on the same day. We can also perform PCR tests, nasal swabs, IgG tests, and blood tests. We will make recommendations based on each patient’s unique situation.
We collect nasal, oral, or blood samples depending on which test is needed and which test is decided by the provider.
You will be called with your results for the rapid test. For the PCR test, please click here.
We will charge your insurance and the cost will depend on your insurance. Most insurances are covering these tests without coinsurance or copay. Please reach out to your individual insurance company for specific costs based on your insurance plan.
If you do not have insurance, the out-of-pocket charge will be $55 for evaluation and $100-$125 for testing. Please click here for our charges.
Yes, we take most major insurance. We are unable to take out-of-state Medicaid.
Please see out cost of service.
We strongly encourage you to call ahead if you think that you have COVID-19, COVID-19 like symptoms or known COVID-19 exposure. We only take online appointments for covid-19 testing and evaluation.
For all other issues you are welcome to walk in or book online.
Click here to make your appointment.
Please bring a photo ID if you have one and your insurance card. All copays and previous balances are due before you can be served.
Please bring a photo ID if you have one and your insurance card. All copays and previous balances are due before you can be served. No special arrangement is necessary.