Skip to main content
Quest Diagnostics

COVID-19 resources for patients

While COVID-19 is no longer at pandemic levels, it is still a major health concern and cases are expected to rise during the fall and winter. Plus, it can be easy to mix up COVID-19 symptoms with other seasonal respiratory illnesses like the flu or an RSV sinus infection.

I'm ready to get tested for COVID-19, how do I get started?
I need to learn more about Quest's COVID-19 testing options.

COVID-19 Testing

We have three paths you can take to get tested for Covid-19 at Quest Diagnostics.

  • If you have an order from your doctor. Most health plans cover COVID-19 testing, as well as flu and RSV testing. Check with your insurance provider for coverage details.
  • If you would like to purchase a covid test, you can view our testing options here
  • If you are uninsured, you may qualify for $0 OOP testing. Patients without insurance who are symptomatic or exposed to COVID-19 are eligable for $0 out-of-pocket COVID-19 testing at select quest locations, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Get started
No-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals
Purchase a test
Schedule an appointment

COVID-19 symptoms and information

Overview: Checks for general material produced by the virus (viral RNA) to determine if someone is currently infected

Why choose this test?

  • To see if you currently have a COVID-19 infection, usually because you are experiencing symptoms or suspect you were exposed to the virus
  • To meet testing requirements for activities like school, work, or travel (Note: schedule your test appointment with as much lead time as your activity allows)

Accuracy: Highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated

Turnaround time for results: Typically end of next day

Test method: Nasal swab

How to get tested:

  • With an order from your doctor, make an appointment at a Quest Patient Service Center near you.
  • Purchase the test for yourself online. You can choose to make an in-person appointment at a Quest near you, or have an at-home collection kit mailed to you.
  • If you are uninsured, see if you qualify for $0 out-of-pocket testing at select Quest locations.

Is it COVID-19, flu, or RSV?

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sinus infections have similar symptoms to COVID-19 and are most common during the same time of year -- late fall through winter. Plus, they are all contagious viruses that can be spread...

General symptomsCOVID-191Flu2RSV3 (sinus infection)Cold4Long COVID5Allergies6
Fever, chillsXXX X 
CoughXXXXX 
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing  X   
Wheezing  X   
Sore throatXX XX 
Runny nose, congestionX XX X
Sneezing  XX X
Red, watery, itchy eyes     X
FatigueXX XX 
Muscle or body achesXX  X 
HeadacheXX XX 

Getting COVID-19 test results

The quickest way to get your test results is having them sent automatically through your secure MyQuest online portal. If you don't already have a MyQuest account, signing up is free and easy.

Testing for long COVID

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID, is when symptoms linger for several weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection has run its course. Quest offers testing...

View post-COVID test panels

Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 testing at Quest

About COVID-19

COVID-19 (formally known as 2019-nCoV) is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 

Though the COVID-19 pandemic was declared over in May 2023, it remains a serious health concern. According to the World Health Organization, confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to occur around the world.

COVID-19 cases are expected to peak between late fall and early winter, which is typical for a respiratory virus like COVID-19 or the flu.

How to get COVID-19 testing through Quest

Yes, walk-ins are welcome at Quest, including for COVID-19 testing. However, patients with scheduled appointments take priority over walk-ins.

Yes. Making an appointment at a Quest location is the best way to reduce your wait time.

Schedule an appointment

Having an order from your own doctor is one way to get COVID-19 testing at Quest.

You can also purchase a test from our online store, which is ordered by physicians at PNWHealth, an independent healthcare provider network that coordinates care with Quest.

Yes. It is common and generally safe to get other routine tests or vaccinations at the same time you get the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 test costs

If paying through your insurance, most health plans cover COVID-19 testing, as well as flu and RSV testing. Though you should check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

If purchasing a test for yourself through questhealth.com, the cost is about $70 for a rapid antigen test or about $129 for an active infection test.

There is also a no-cost COVID-19 test option for those without insurance.

Most health plan benefits cover COVID-19 testing. Though you should check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

Yes, health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow health plan members to pay for COVID-19 testing, including the at-home collection service, out of their individual accounts.

Patient safety at Quest locations

Masks are not required at Quest locations. However, if you are coughing, sneezing, or have a sore throat, it is recommended that you wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

Quest has strong safety procedures in place at all times to protect patients and employees from coming into contact with any infectious diseases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have added more precautions that make it easier to access the testing you need from Quest.

These measures are still in place today and include:

  • Encouraging online scheduling to limit your wait time and the number of people in waiting rooms
  • Encouraging patients with severe symptoms (fever or flu-like symptoms) to reschedule for when they are feeling better
  • Recommending that patients feeling unwell should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask
  • Offering a text alert option that allows patients to wait for appointments outside

Make an appointment for COVID-19 tests

If you have an order for COVID-19 testing through your doctor, schedule your appointment at a Quest location near you.

Book now

Our company

Quest® is the brand name used for services offered by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and its affiliated companies. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and certain affiliates are CLIA-certified laboratories that provide HIPAA-covered services.  Other affiliates operated under the Quest® brand, such as Quest Consumer Inc., do not provide HIPAA-covered services. 

 

Quest®, Quest Diagnostics®, any associated logos, and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only.