by

Information on various COVID-19 testing sites and options available to Indianapolis residents.

Which COVID-19 test is right for you?

There are two basic types of tests for COVD 19:

COVID-19 PCR Viral Test

This COVID-19 test checks for the presence of the live virus to diagnose acute infection. This is the test for people with symptoms of COVID-19 and is frequently done at a drive-through testing site. The sample is collected most often by a nasal swab with a tiny brush.

There is a Point of Care (POC) rapid test with results available in few minutes at some locations. Many experts feel that this test is not specific enough to rely on the accuracy of negative results. This means that there is a higher likelihood of your negative test to be false. I recommend you have a PCR test done when available.

COVID-19 Antibody Test

This test checks for the presence of antibodies that a person developed sometime after they have been infected with a COVID-19 virus. It does not check for active infection, it checks for past infection or exposure. Some may have been infected with COVID-19 without knowing it or exhibiting symptoms. This test can show if a person has been infected in the past. COVID-19 antibody is a blood test ordered by a physician and collected at any laboratory location.

Testing Options for COVID-19 PCR Test

Indiana State Health Department

  • any resident of Indiana
  • does NOT need to meet CDC eligibility criteria for testing, any Indiana resident can register
  • does NOT need a physician order
  • free
  • turnaround time 3-5 business days
  • Website

CVS, Walgreen, Walmart, Kroger

  • drive-up testing
  • must meet CDC eligibility criteria for testing
  • does not need a physicians order
  • billed through insurance or free to uninsured
  • turnaround time 2-3 days

Mail-In Kit Labcorp

  • does not need to meet CDC eligibility criteria.
  • $119 per kit for self-pay
    • does not need a physicians order for self-pay
  • can be billed through insurance
    • needs physicians order for insurance billing
  • turnaround time 2-3 business days
  • Website

ARIA Diagnostics

  • $135 self-pay for COVID-19 only
  • $500 for the respiratory panel, including other respiratory pathogens
  • does not need to meet CDC eligibility criteria
  • does not need a physician order for self-pay
  • can be billed through insurance, however, needs a physicians order for insurance billing
  • Website

Testing Criteria

  • Symptomatic individuals (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell)
  • Exposed to a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within the last 2 weeks
  • Seniors over 65 of age
  • Individuals who are immunocompromised ( such as HIV and cancer patients)
  • Frontline essential workers will be tested with or without symptoms.

If you are having severe symptoms, including a fever of 102°F or higher, severe coughing spells, shortness of breath, blue lips or face, constant severe pain or pressure in your chest, extreme tiredness or lethargy, slurred speech, seizures, are coughing up blood, new confusion or new serious disorientation (acting confused), or can’t speak in full sentences, please contact your healthcare provider.

If you don’t have a provider, schedule online with us.

Post Written by

Dr. Green is a dual board-certified physician with certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Preventive Medicine. With over 18 years of experience in primary care, she is dedicated to delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care. Dr. Green earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She further specialized through a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at the Regenstrief Institute and holds a graduate certificate in Clinical Informatics from Oregon Health & Science University. Her clinical expertise spans chronic care management, including diabetes, hypertension, and chronic pain, as well as behavioral health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Green combines her deep clinical knowledge with her informatics expertise to optimize care delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Book Online