COVID TEST INFORMATION

COVID TESTING OPTIONS

COVID-19 testing is available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at Prairie Sinus Ear & Allergy for patients during December from Monday through Friday. We are closed on Dec 25.Please park at our main location in North Bismarck near the corner of State and Century at the East Side Entrance of the building beside the handicap parking space at the green poles.

COVID-19 TESTING PROCEDURE IF

ASYMPTOMATIC (NOT ILL)

Determination of Medical Necessity

• Can only be determined during a medical encounter
• Requires virtual telephone or video appointment at minimum
• Usually covered by insurance if deemed medically necessary
• Testing coverage may vary based upon insurance coverage
• You may wish to speak to your insurance representative before testing

You may have a medically necessary reason for testing eg.

• Close Contact
• CDC Defined Covid Exposures

Testing need not meet “medically necessary criteria” for testing

• Affordable rates for self payment
• Free State surveillance testing clinics available
• Travel screening
• Voluntary screening
• Covid Airline Travel Certificate.

I need a COVID-19 travel certificate?

• Please ensure to inquire about results and turn around times before finalizing your travel plans.
• It is your responsibility to check your destination’s requirements before you get tested.
• We are unable to offer refunds if you order the test too soon, or order the wrong test. Our staff will try to help but are often unable to offer clear guidance without clear description of required specifications on this.  There are dozens of destinations, each of which have different requirements.
• We do not provide travel certificates for the State of Hawaii .

COVID-19 testing IF ILL

What to do if you are worried you have COVID?

• If you feel ill and are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please call the office and schedule an appointment or request an appointment online.
• We remind you to always to seek urgent care or call 9-1-1 in case of emergencies
• Determination of Medical Necessity
  • Requires virtual appointment by telephone or ZOOM video.
  • Return to work school – may be covered by insurance after covid infection
  • If you have health insurance, you must bring your card
  • If you do not have insurance, we will ask you for your Social Security number (card not needed), driver's license or state ID to submit the cost of your test to the federal program for the uninsured.
  • COVID-19 testing is fully covered, with $0 cost to you, by all insurance plans in including Medicare and Medicaid if deemed medically necessary .
  • If you do not have insurance, and require Covid testing, you will not be charged as the Cares Act provides coverage for you if you certify that you do not have insurance coverage.

TRY OUR CONTACT FREE REGISTRATION

VISIT PrairieSEAclinic.com or Contact our office at (701) 805-8057 for further information

• Self schedule online (LINK to schedule)
  • Online intake process
  • Cash options
  • You may chose this option and not use your insurance.
• Electronically appointment request (LINK to appt request)
  • You will not be able to self schedule if you are symptomatic and wish insured services.
  • Staff will contact you, ask a few questions, and get you scheduled for the virtual evaluation and COVID testing.
  • Optional Insurance Verification and Covid Visit
  • Covid-19 screening will be performed in your car if you have symptoms.
  • We may route you to a Covid center for multi-system care depending upon your condition if your care requires other specialty care services.
  • Payment collected up front and refunded if insurance verifies medical medical necessity and covers your care.
  • If you cannot afford to pay up front, please contact our staff.
• If our medical staff determines that you require an in office visit, please follow staff instructions and remain in your car.

	Rapid Antigen Link	Rapid PCR Link	State Lab PCR
	Antigen Test Point of Care	Amplified RNA Point of Care	High flow RNA
Turnaround Time	~15 minutes	~45 min	~36 hrs to 5 days
Collection			Nasal / Oropharyngeal
Available to Bill to Insurance *			Yes * Included with office visit charge
CPT Code	87426	87636 ( PLU0240U) Covid/Flu A&B 87637 PLU0241U Covid/Flu A+B/RSV	Office visit charge
Self Pay Fees include cost of collection (Self Pay) “Medical necessity not determined”	Includes State Lab PCR for negative test	Covid/Flu A&B
With Insurance (Medically Necessary)	$0 * Requires telehealth of office visit	$0 * Requires telehealth of office visit	- collected as part of office visit
Clinical Indication	Immediate Results best first 5 days of symptoms False positives rare	Same Day Results Limited availability False positives noted after infectious period	Delayed results Asymptomatic Confirmatory Test
Uninsured * With medical necessity	$0 * Cares Act funding coverage Requires visit to determine necessity	0$ * Cares Act funding coverage Requires visit to determine necessity	$0 * Cares Act funding coverage Requires visit to determine necessity
	EUA test	EUA test	EUA test
Negative Predictive Value (10% Community Prevalence)		Very Specific	Very Specific
Positive Predictive Value (10% Community Prevalence)	100% 84% sensitivity per FDA filing with Recent literature suggests 93% sensitivity pending FDA review A negative antigen test will be confirmed by PCR for reflex confirmation if requested	Very Sensitive	Very Sensitive

* If your insurance does not cover the cost of the test you may be responsible for the full posted payment amount.   Insurances do not all cover POC tests in all settings.  Our office charges the covid testing fees up front for POC (Point of Care) tests, however, we still attempt to bill your insurance for coverage should you provide it.  If your insurance covers the test, we will issue you a refund of up to 100% of the cash rate according to your insurance policy benefits. PCR testing is generally covered 100% by Medicare for your first test.

You should contact your insurer to confirm coverage before scheduling a test unless you are paying cash. You may be responsible for the full price of the test if you do not meet criteria established by your insurer

Results may be delayed due to increased testing volume, lack of available supplies

Test availability will be generally available daily but available supplies cause limitations

ANTIBODY TESTING Cost:  $75

Antibody testing is performed to determine if your body is producing antibodies from a previous infection. It is not used to diagnose a current infection. Antibody tests determine if your blood contains the disease-specific proteins (antibodies) created to help fight off infections and provide protection against getting that disease again (immunity). Depending on when someone was infected and the timing of the test, the test may not find antibodies in someone with a current COVID-19 infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose active COVID-19 infection.

Covid-19 TRAVEL CERTIFICATE Cost:  $0 - Included with relevant testing

Check with your destination as some airlines or destinations require specific labs to perform the test or have specific requirements as per the type of test.

If you require a Covid-19 test for travel, a report will be provided to you free of charge with the testing service.

REPORTING RESULTS

NEGATIVE results will be communicated to you through the Prairie SEA Clinic electronic health portal or by mobile phone text.

POSITIVE results will be reported to you promptly and to the ND State Health Department.

If you do not confirm receiving results, our office will also be contacting you personally as well either by phone or email.

Bring your driver's license and insurance card, if you have one.

We will need your address for all testing

SCHEDULING INFORMATION:

Same day and up to 2 days in advance depending upon availability

Ages 6 months and up.

Self scheduling options available

Covid consultation by telephone or video visit are available by appointment

Referrals are not required (except for insured services if required)