PlushCare | COVID-19 Antibody Testing

The test is for people to know whether they have been exposed to the virus (SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus). The test will only turn positive if you were exposed in the past, and it is not a test for people with symptoms, or who have very recently had symptoms. You must be symptom-free for at least 10 days in order to get this test.

If you experienced COVID-19 symptoms more than 10 days ago you are eligible for COVID-19 antibody testing. The test will determine if you were exposed to COVID-19 and may indicate immunity.

The test is a standard blood test to see if you have IgG antibodies. It is FDA sanctioned via FDA Policy for Diagnostic Tests for Coronavirus Disease-2019 and will be run using either Abbott or EUROIMMUN equipment. The test typically turns positive 14 days after symptoms begin.

A positive test means you have had the virus in the past, at least two weeks prior to the test and that your body has antibodies to the virus. A recent study showed that having antibodies does protect you against infection. That said, we still don’t know how long the antibodies last in your system.

A negative test means that antibodies were not detected in your system. Either you have never been infected, your infection was recent (in the last 14 days), or you may have had the infection but your immune system did not produce antibodies (due to weakened immunity or for other reasons.

Assuming you meet the testing criteria you should book a virtual appointment with PlushCare. Our physicians will provide you with a required testing order. Following this, we recommend making an appointment at a Quest or LabCorp location. When you go to your appointment, you must be symptom free, you MUST wear a mask, and they will check your temperature to make sure you don’t have a fever. You will get your results in 3-4 business days.

Most insurance companies are waiving all patient costs for these tests and it will be billed by Quest, an in-network lab with almost all insurance plans.