Covid Testing

State of Minnesota community testing sites are a great reliable ways to test free of charge with really reasonable turnaround times. The state’s at home testing program through Vault Health has been discontinued. If you have tests already, they can be used through 2022.

PCR Tests

The state says they will test all ages, but all sites are now using saliva tests for their PCR tests, not nasal swabs so a child has to be able to produce enough saliva to fill the tube.

• This is a list of community testing sites. They do the very accurate regular PCR testing and the results are pretty are returned in 1-3 days in general. If you want an appt, appointments pop up on and off throughout the day. You can use this to check: https://mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php
• The state of Minnesota no longer provides free at home PCR kits through Vault Health.

Rapid Antigen Tests

Some of the community testing sites are now doing rapid antigen tests and they can test all ages. Look closely at the list to see which locations have rapid antigen tests.

The State of Minnesota maintains a list of other testing sites, and they include information on the types of tests they perform, whether they are saliva or a nose swab, and what ages they can test. Some of these testing sites accept all insurance and submit the insurance claims for you, making the test free to most people. These include locations like CVS, Walgreens, Urgency Room, Healthpartners, Minute Clinic, Oral DNA, and Valley Medical. Some of these testing sites on the state list only accept out-of-pocket payments. See below, “Companies where your covid testing may not be free.” Other sites only accept specific insurance plans, e.g. we are told that Ultimate Success does not accept medicare or medicaid. This links to a state maintained list of testing sites that allows you to search by zip code and the type of test you are looking for.

Many pediatric offices are testing for covid. If your child has symptoms or has had an exposure, calling your child’s physician is a great place to start. Some people have been charged for an office visit in order to be tested, but some clinics are not charging for an office visit.

The state of Minnesota has rapid antigen tests at some community testing locations and these can be used for all ages because they are a swab. Check this list for all locations doing rapid antigen testing. These tests are free.

Other locations doing PCR tests on kids

• Healthpartners. Tests use a nasal swab and so they are appropriate for young children, and there is not a charge for an office visit separate from the testing. So far we are not aware of any out-of-pocket costs and most if not all insurance seems to be accepted. We don’t know how they handle folks that are uninsured, but it might be worth contacting them to ask. They are presently only testing symptomatic people or those that are part of a prioritized group.
• OralDNA says they accept all forms of insurance. They typically use an oral rinse collection kit, but we are told that they will do a nose swab on very young children. They promise results in 24 hours. We have reached out to confirm the information about nose swabs and to ask if there is a minimum age, but we have not heard back yet.
• Valley Medical. They seem to have rapid testing (results by midnight) and accept most major insurance (not Healthpartners) for symptomatic individuals, and they test down to age 0. They imply that testing for travel and some other purposes may not be covered by insurance. We’ve reached out for clarification and they have not responded.
• Ultimate Success – They do rapid molecular tests (1 hr) covered by insurance if you were exposed or have symptoms. Down to age 12 months. Test is a nasal swab you do in your car.
• Minute Clinic – they do both rapid antigen and regular PCR testing
• Pixel, by LabCorp, are at home nasal swab testing kits authorized down to age 2. They will bill your insurance, and there are free to those that are uninsured, as long as you meet the criteria (experiencing symptoms, exposed to covid, living or working in a congregate setting, or have been asked to be tested by a medical or public health professional). You can also pay out of pocket if you don’t meet the criteria ($119). These tests are mailed via FedEx back to LabCorp and results are available in 1-2 days after LabCorp receives the test kit.
• State community testing sites, were already mentioned for rapid antigen tests, but they also do saliva PCR tests. So if your child can produce enough saliva, this will work. One creative set of parents has used a syringe to extract saliva from their child’s mouth to make a community testing site work. We don’t know what affect this would have on the test results, but if you are desperate for a free test, it might be something to ask about. Results come back in 1-4 days.

• The state maintains a list of testing sites. For each site it lists the ages the organization is willing to test. Not all sites will accept insurance. Check with the companies directly, but you can also check our list below of Companies Where Your Covid Testing May Not Be Free.

If you are testing for travel, look for our FAQ question about travel testing.

Favorite options of late are:

• Walgreens, a few locations have rapid results molecular testing. If they are all booked, sometimes between 9pm and 10 pm a few slots open up. Scroll down to see which locations have ID Now and have appts available.
• CVS – the CVS Clinic downtown (1100 Hennepin) has 1 hour PCR, as well as some other locations. This option is covered by most insurance.
• Haya Health, Minneapolis. Results delivered by mail in 2 hours.
• Ultimate Success – They do rapid molecular tests (1 hr) covered by insurance if you were exposed or have symptoms. Down to age 12 months. Test is a nasal swab you do in your car.
• Urgency room has rapid molecular testing and accepts most insurance.
• Oral DNA officially isn’t rapid testing, but they turn results around in 24 hours and accept most insurance.
• Valley Medical. They provide results by midnight and accept most major insurance (not Healthpartners) for symptomatic individuals. They imply that testing for travel and some other purposes may not be covered by insurance.
• Arcpoint labs – RT-PCR $250
• Rapid RX Testing – up front out of pocket cost
• GS Labs – we suggest you read this article before making use of GSLabs.

Use this link at MDH and search by zip code and by type of test. You want to look at rapid results PCR and rapid results molecular tests. BUT, be aware that most of the rapid results PCR tests are being given by companies that only accept out-of-pocket payments and will not submit to insurance. Tests often range from $150-350. Look at the question below, “Companies where your covid testing may not be free.” You’ll find more rapid molecular tests that will file insurance claims for you.

The cheapest way to get over-the-counter antigen tests now is through your insurance company if you have insurance. This link allows you to request them at Walgreens so that you can order up to 8 tests per person per month, covered by insurance. Other pharmacies can also run OTC tests through your insurance.

If you do not have insurance, the website NowInStock can help you identify locations where over the counter tests are in stock and available to be shipped. You can create a login and ask to be alerted when specific locations are in stock. We have no connection to NowInStock and we don’t receive any benefit from you using the links on this website.

In order of expense:

• If you have children in school, your schools may have free antigen test kits available for your children and perhaps your family.
• County public health departments may have a limited number of free antigen test kits available.
• Target was selling Flowflex tests for $8.
• IHealth Labs provides 2 tests in a kit for $14 plus shipping, or you can buy them on Amazon, 2 for $17.98 including shipping. They were recently featured on Science Friday for these affordable test kits.
• Walmart sells Binaxnow for $23.99 for a box of 2.
• Cub has been selling FlowFlex tests for $9.99. If you log in for online shopping you can see if they are in stock at particular locations and can save the pharmacists a call.
• Menards has begun selling 12 packs of FlowFlex tests for $143.88 which works out to $11.99 per test.
• Walgreens is carrying Binaxnow ($23.99 for 2), Flowflex ($9.99 for 1), Quickvue ($23.99 for 2), Intelliswab ($23.99/2), and OnGo ($23.99/2). Walgreens will only tell you in stock status for items available for pickup at your local store. Often tests are not available for pick but are in fact in store.
• CVS is carrying Binaxnow ($23.99 for 2), Quickvue ($23.99 for 2), Flowflex ($9.99 for 1), and Ellume ($38.99 for 1, we believe). NowInstock can let you know when they are available for shipping.
• Amazon carries a variety of covid tests.

The state of Minnesota no longer provides free at home PCR testing through Vault Health.

Pixel, by LabCorp, are at home nasal swab testing kits authorized down to age 2. They will bill your insurance, and there are free to those that are uninsured, as long as you meet the criteria (experiencing symptoms, exposed to covid, living or working in a congregate setting, or have been asked to be tested by a medical or public health professional). You can also pay out of pocket if you don’t meet the criteria ($119). These tests are mailed via FedEx back to LabCorp and results are available in 1-2 days after LabCorp receives the test kit.

There are now some testing machines and kits available for home use, but we aren’t experienced in this technology or what is available.

Different countries have different requirements. Many no longer require a negative test but some do. Traveling overseas may require a rapid PCR or rapid molecular test, and you may need it within so many hours of travel. (Some locations only require you be vaccinated and boosted.) There are many options that require out-of-pocket payments. Options that might be free are harder to come by. (Some countries will accept a proctored antigen test like the BinaxNow Ag test.)

• CVS – the CVS Clinic downtown (1100 Hennepin) has 1 hour PCR. This option is covered by insurance.
• Oral DNA says they can return results in under 24 hours, and they expressly mention testing for travel. They also accept most insurance.
• Healthpartners, even if you aren’t their patient. Their website expressly mentions testing for travel, but we don’t know if there is a guarantee on turnaround time. You do not have to be a patient. Tests use a nasal swab and so they are appropriate for young children, and there is not a charge for an office visit separate from the testing. So far we are not aware of any out-of-pocket costs and most if not all insurance seems to be accepted. They are presently only testing symptomatic people or those that are part of a prioritized group, but we think travel is prioritized from what we can tell.
• Hennepin Healthcare Travel Testing
• Arcpoint labs – RT-PCR $250
• Rapid RX Testing – up front out of pocket cost
• Wandertest is located on in Terminal 1 on Level 3 of the Gold Ramp. Rapid PCR tests are $199, and they do not file insurance. Results are available in about an hour. They are open 7 days a week, but recommend appointments.
• State testing sites do not guarantee turnaround time, so they are a gamble, but many people have used them recently because turnaround times have been 24-48 hours in general.
• You can search this state list by type of tests (RT-PCR or RT Molecular) and see all the options including when they are open. Be sure to check our list below of “Companies where your covid testing may not be free” and check their website for costs. Some are free some are not. Some locations will require you to have symptoms or exposure in order to be prioritized for a rapid PCR or molecular test.

Proctored antigen tests are available, e.g. ihealth verified, Binaxnow AG with eMed proctoring, and others.

Updated 01/10/22

All of the sites below are linked from the MDH website as testing locations. At all of these, you may pay out-of-pocket up front for your tests and you will have to work with your insurance provider to see if they will reimburse you for out of pocket costs. People with Medicare, Medicaid, and some other insurance have said they have been unable to be reimbursed using codes and receipts provided by testing companies. We have not verified that piece of information. This is undoubtedly not a complete list, just the data we have been able to gather so far.

• AnyLabTestNow says, “Free options for testing are available. The COVID-19 PCR Test may be covered by your insurance plan or the government, with no out-of-pocket costs to you. . If you are interested in this option, please contact your healthcare provider.” Rapid PCR is $169.
• ARCpoint Labs says, “We currently do not accept insurance.” RT-PCRs are $250, antigen are $100. Prices here.
• Gatherwell says, “We are NOT accepting insurance payments. You may want to check with your own personal insurance provider and see if they will reimburse you for out-of-pocket test costs.” We have heard that Healthpartners reimburses for Gatherwell tests.
• GSLabs accepts some insurance, but not all insurance. We are told by some who have gone that they do not accept Medicare or Medicaid. One person was told that they do not accept any union insurance. Another person has an employer based healthcare plan through BCBS and was told it would not be accepted. Prices on this page. Recent updates to their website indicate that their Rapid PCR tests are $385 out-of-pocket, and that if you want to use insurance you can do regular PCR or antigen tests.
• Hyvee. Their online consent and authorization says, “I understand that no third-party reimbursement, including Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement, will be submitted for this test.” We are unable to find the cost of the tests online, even when logged in.
• Minneapolis Health Clinic says, “We do not accept insurance for tests.” A rapid molecular test is $150, a rapid PCR is $200.
• Rolseth Drug (Forest Lake) says, “Payment is collected either when you book online or at the time of testing. Additionally, you may submit to your insurance company to attempt reimbursement, as your invoice will contain all the billing codes and information you need.” A rapid PCR test is $189.
• Thrifty White (Lindstrom) says, “Payment is collected when you book online. Additionally, you may submit the invoice to your insurance company to attempt reimbursement.” A rapid PCR tests is $190.
• Ultimate Success. Rapid PCRs for $395. They accept insurance but do not accept Medicare. We don’t know about Medicaid.
• Zepto Life Technology says “Currently only accepting out-of-pocket payment” in spite of saying they are medicare and medicaid certified. Rapid PCR tests are $199, more on the weekends.

If you qualify, one of the best ways to access paxlovid or monoclonal antibodies is through a test to treat location. Which can test, prescribe, and dispense the medications if you qualify. Not everyone qualifies.

If you have a prescription and are looking for the new antivirals, this government website may help locate a pharmacy that has them. It may not include every place they are available. https://healthdata.gov/Health/COVID-19-Public-Therapeutic-Locator/rxn6-qnx8/data

More info about medication options is available on the state website here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/meds.html