The health and safety of our communities are of the utmost importance. We are partnered with Anesis Spine & Pain Care Clinic , we are determined to help stop the spread in our community with available testing for everyone. #StopthespreadwithAnesis
TESTING FOR COVID-19
Anesis Spine and Pain Care is providing easy testing for COVID-19. However we are not providing individuals with medical advice or evaluation nor do we provide a determination of eligibility for testing.
Eligibility based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is determined by a healthcare provider who uses their medical judgment to determine medical necessity for testing. The CDC’s guidelines can be accessed by visiting Evaluating and Testing Persons for COVID-19.
Generally, without a medical exam and evaluation, insurance does not cover the cost of the test since it has not been deemed medically necessary by a licensed medical professional. Patients who feel they are in need of COVID-19 testing and are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, who have been exposed to COVID-19 or believe they may have been exposed, should first contact their healthcare provider regarding testing.
If you are not experiencing symptoms and have had no known potential exposure to anyone that was infected, it is probably better to not get tested and reserve the testing for those that need it. However, the CDC warns that as many as 25% of people infected with COVID-19 may not show any symptoms. If you need to care for high risk family members such as an elderly parent or grandparent or someone with underlying health conditions, it may be wise to get tested if you have concerns. People who work in hospitals, assisted living/skilled nursing facilities and first responders may want or need to be tested whether they have symptoms or not.
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
No, you will not be denied testing. We are not providing any medical evaluation of symptoms or your need to be tested. If you pay for the test, we will run the test. See answer to Question #5
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
Unfortunately, there are those who would take advantage of a public health crisis to try to scam unwitting people with unapproved or fraudulent tests. Consumers should be careful to choose tests that are legitimate and reliable. We recommend people only use tests that have been authorized under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and from laboratories that are CLIA-certified to perform high-complexity testing. Anesis only uses laboratories that are CLIA-certified laboratories that are performing PCR-based testing for COVID-19, authorized under the FDA’s EUA.
The FDA’s statement regarding unauthorized fraudulent COVID-19 test kits can be found here.
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
A cash pay option allows immediate access to COVID-19 testing when you feel it is necessary to get tested without the hassle of having to get a physician’s referral for the test. We believe more widespread testing is necessary to help halt the spread of the virus. Requiring the intervention of a doctor to be able to get tested adds delay as well as strain on resources at the medical clinics and hospitals. Testing is straightforward and easy to access at one of our several testing locations.
Useful articles: Seattle Times- Coronavirus testing troubles persist as patients are turned away, even as lab capacity in Seattle expands.
The FDA’s statement regarding unauthorized fraudulent COVID-19 test kits can be found here.
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
Unfortunately, there are those who would take advantage of a public health crisis to try to scam unwitting people with unapproved or fraudulent tests. Consumers should be careful to choose tests that are legitimate and reliable. We recommend people only use tests that have been authorized under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and from laboratories that are CLIA-certified to perform high-complexity testing. Anesis only uses laboratories that are CLIA-certified laboratories that are performing PCR-based testing for COVID-19, authorized under the FDA’s EUA.
The FDA’s statement regarding unauthorized fraudulent COVID-19 test kits can be found here.
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
Initially, the FDA required a nasopharyngeal specimen to be collected which is the very back nasal cavity. This was often uncomfortable and sometimes painful. However more recently, the FDA approved mid-turbinate or anterior nares sample collection for symptomatic patients which means in the nostril. This type of collection should not be painful or uncomfortable in most cases.
Useful articles: Seattle Times- Coronavirus testing troubles persist as patients are turned away, even as lab capacity in Seattle expands.
The FDA’s statement regarding unauthorized fraudulent COVID-19 test kits can be found here.
Useful article: Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
Go to https://covid-19.anesispain.com and register.
There are multiple collection sites in the Puget Sound area where you may visit to provide a sample for testing. Visit our website for the most up-to-date list of locations and hours of operations as our schedule may change over time based on demand and staff availability.
You may purchase tests for yourself and for minors for whom you are the parent or legal guardian. You may purchase the test for others but each adult must register and create their own account due to HIPAA requirements.
At this time, we require you to arrive by vehicle and wait in the vehicle for the duration of your appointment. The only exception is at our Seattle location where we allow walk-up.
In the interest of promoting safe social-distancing and not exposing others unknowingly, we do not promote or endorse the use of ridesharing options such as Uber or Lyft to come for testing at this time.
If you are self-requesting a test without a medical examination by visiting one of our collection sites, the cost of the test is $99.00. There is an option for expedited service where you will get your test result the same day (by 11pm) for an extra $50.00 fee. If your physician is ordering the test, the test is billed to your health insurance carrier and is subject to the terms of your coverage (including any applicable copays or fees associated with the physician’s visit).
Many insurances have waived co-pays and fees for COVID-19 testing so it is possible you could be tested for free. However, the requirements at this time for insurance coverage of tests is based on need and medical necessity. This requires seeing your doctor and having him/her make that determination. If you believe you would qualify for testing under the care of your physician and the guidelines of your insurance carrier, we recommend you do so. Some people would prefer not to wait to see a doctor and be uncertain if they are eligible to be tested or not. For those who want to bypass the traditional process and get tested right away, possibly the same day, and receive results within 24-48 hours (except tests completed on Fridays), we provide a simple and safe alternative.
**Please allow an extra 24-hrs for these locations: Spokane, Olympia, and Everett
Go to https://covid-19.anesispain.com and register. Then place an order for the test and pay with a credit card online.
We do not bill insurance for patients registering and paying for the test. However, if we receive tests from a hospital, clinic or doctor where the test has been ordered by a provider, we will bill insurance for the test. This is a separate process from the self-ordered test.
You can submit a claim to your insurance but in many cases, without a physician’s order, it may not be reimbursed.
Downtown Public Health Center in Seattle provides free testing for those who have COVID-19 symptoms and do not have access to health care.
You will need a valid form of government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport to present to the clinic staff prior to sample collection.
No. Take a deep breath and relax. Clinic staff will provide you with instructions on sample collection upon meeting you at your vehicle. There is no need to clean or blow your nose in preparation for sample collection.
**Please allow an extra 24-hrs for these locations: Spokane, Olympia, and Everett
Please arrive during your designated appointment window. You do not need to arrive early.
All tests are by appointment only. When you register and order a test, you can schedule a time to provide a sample for testing in 30 minute windows. We limit the number of appointments each hour to keep wait times to a minimum.
Yes. If you find a time slot (30 minute window) that has availability for the number of people in your car and each person has ordered a test and made an appointment, they may all come at the same time and be tested together.
Sample collection should take less than 1 minute. While the preferred specimen is a nasopharyngeal swab (back of the nasal cavity), collection of specimen requires a trained healthcare professional with personal protective equipment (PPE) and it also takes more time. Given the shortage of supplies and PPE, the FDA has provided alternative recommendations for the use of nasal swab specimens in symptomatic patients. These specimens are self-collected by the patient from the front part of the nostril and middle of the nasal cavity. For patients not experiencing symptoms, this sample type will still be accepted but may have decreased sensitivity. This means that there is an increased potential for false negative tests and caution should be taken when interpreting a negative result. In most cases, self-collection of this type of sample should not be painful.
Find out more: UnitedHealth says self-swabbing study spurred FDA coronavirus policy change & FDA updates COVID-19 testing guidelines to allow self-swab tests
Although drive-thru is effective in keeping patients isolated in their cars to prevent the spread of infection, we believe we have a better solution. By scheduling patients within a 30-minute window and having patients park their car and notify us of their arrival (check-in) using their phone, we can eliminate the long line of cars, reduce wait times and reduce emission from cars while maintaining the safety of patient isolation in cars. Previously, the FDA and CDC required a medical staff member to collect the sample. However, recently the FDA and CDC have made additional recommendations for patients to self-collect samples as long as this is performed onsite at collection sites and/or under supervision of a healthcare professional.
Useful article: Chaos, inconsistency mark launch of drive-thru virus testing
Find out more: UnitedHealth says self-swabbing study spurred FDA coronavirus policy change & FDA updates COVID-19 testing guidelines to allow self-swab tests
AT MY APPOINTMENT
Clinic staff will do their best to ensure proper sample collection but an insufficient sample or improper collection is still possible. Should this be realized on-site during the collection process, clinic staff may ask you to re-collect the sample. An insufficient sample or improper collection may result in a false-negative test result.
AFTER MY APPOINTMENT – RESULTS
Because we are currently only providing testing in the local Puget Sound area, in most cases, results are released within 1-2 business days after your sample reaches the lab.
**Please allow an extra 24-hours for these locations: Spokane, and Everett
Test results will be delivered online through the secure portal where you registered for the test. You will receive an email notifying you when your test result is available.
**Please allow an extra 24-hrs for these locations: Spokane, Olympia, and Everett
If the virus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA) was detected, not detected, or the result was inconclusive.
A positive result is indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA but does not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. You should immediately isolation yourself and consult with your physician to discuss your positive test result.
NOTE: SARS-Cov-2 is considered a notifiable condition under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101, Notifiable Conditions. Results for COVID-19 testing will be reported to the Washington State Department of Health as required.
An inconclusive result indicates that the lab was unable to reliably determine a result from the submitted specimen. A recollection of the specimen and re-testing may be indicated. If the result remains inconclusive after repeat testing, the specimen may be submitted to the CDC for further testing and determination.
NOTE: SARS-Cov-2 is considered a notifiable condition under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101, Notifiable Conditions. Results for COVID-19 testing will be reported to the Washington State Department of Health as required
NOTE: SARS-Cov-2 is considered a notifiable condition under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101, Notifiable Conditions. Results for COVID-19 testing will be reported to the Washington State Department of Health as required.
