BURLINGTON, N.C.– Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global life sciences company, is now offering observed self-collection for COVID-19 PCR testing in more than 500 of its patient service centers (PSCs) nationwide for people without symptoms or known exposure. By mid-December, the company plans to further expand the COVID-19 PCR test collection service to over 1,000 locations.
At the PSC, the individual will use a short nasal swab to self-collect the sample in the presence of a phlebotomist, who will confirm the person’s identity and make sure the sample is properly collected. This new service gives individuals even more flexible, convenient options for Labcorp COVID-19 PCR testing.
As a busy holiday season approaches and in-person business meetings resume, more people are expected to visit family and friends, attend conferences and business functions and join social events. Reported cases of COVID-19 remain high in parts of the U.S., and there is a continued need for individuals to confirm they are safe and virus-free before participating in events and gatherings.
“With upcoming holiday travel and increases in large group gatherings, Labcorp wants to make getting tested for COVID-19 faster, easier and more accessible for the communities it serves,” said Dr. Brian Caveney, chief medical officer and president of Labcorp Diagnostics. “Visiting a Labcorp PSC for precautionary COVID-19 PCR testing is a convenient and efficient option for individuals who need preemptive testing for events and travel. Our innovative testing options, including our Pixel by Labcorp home collection kit and now the opportunity for observed self-collection at a conveniently-located Labcorp patient service center, fit the various lifestyles and needs of consumers and our customers.”
COVID-19 PCR test collection at a Labcorp PSC is for individuals age 18 and older who are free of COVID-19 symptoms and have not recently been exposed to the virus. The fee for the PSC testing option with observed collection is $119, and Healthcare Spending Account or Flexible Spending Account funds may be an option to pay for the test. The test must be purchased in advance at Pixel by Labcorp.
Once purchased, consumers can make an appointment or walk in to a participating Labcorp PSC to get tested. Participating PSC locations can be found here. Appointments are required before noon, and walk-ins are welcome in the afternoon. Appointments can be made on Labcorp.com using Labcorp’s Appointment Scheduler. Payment at a PSC will not be accepted.
Once the sample is collected at a Labcorp PSC, it will be sent to a Labcorp lab for analysis and results will be made available through the Pixel by Labcorp online results portal. Results are available within 1-2 days on average and, in most cases, results are available within one day.
For individuals who are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed, Labcorp provides other options. A Pixel by Labcorp home collection kit for individuals as young as 2 years of age can be requested directly through Pixel by Labcorp for zero upfront, out-of-pocket cost if an individual is experiencing symptoms, has been exposed to the virus, works or lives in a congregate setting, or is asked to be tested by a health care professional. It is also available over the counter at select Walgreens locations nationwide and other retail pharmacy outlets. In addition, Labcorp COVID-19 PCR tests may be conducted at doctors’ offices, hospitals and health systems, urgent care facilities and many drive-thru testing sites.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world, and health care, in unprecedented ways. Since the early days of the pandemic, Labcorp has played a critical role in global response efforts and is continually identifying ways to expand COVID-19 testing access and keep more people safe. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Detection (CDC), over 47 million Americans have contracted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To date, Labcorp has performed nearly 54 million COVID-19 PCR tests to detect the virus, provided instrumental data to government agencies like the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and worked with companies to develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
Labcorp became the first U.S. commercial laboratory to launch COVID-19 PCR testing on March 5, 2020, and less than two weeks later it became the first to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The test uses PCR technology, which Labcorp commercialized nearly 30 years ago when it was first introduced. PCR testing is considered the gold standard in COVID-19 testing.
