My daughter had to wait in line seven hours for a drive-through covid test

[Xipe Totec]

Got in line at 11:00 AM, one hour before they opened and there was already a line.

Total number of people they tested for the day: 30

No, seriously, 30.

Oh, and they had to pay $100 for one test because their European insurance was not accepted.

Oh, and people who had insurance also had to pay $100 because the system to validate insurance was down.

You can file a claim later with the insurance, they said.

Our covid testing system is a joke.

[Walleye]

1. Where are you located?I didn't have to show any medical card the state gave me a test for free

[Xipe Totec]

2. Texas

[Walleye]

5. Maybe Abbott should ask nicely for some help from Joe

[Skittles]

8. he did

what a fucking hypocrite Abbott is

[jimfields33]

23. President Biden is sending every American testing kits in January.

He mentioned this during his speech. I’m sure they will be mailed out by then end of the week or next week.

[Walleye]

27. I'm sure the president will do the right thing and do it quickly

[Totally Tunsie]

36. Please note this is NOT being done automatically.

Those interested in receiving a free home test will need to order one.

https://news.yahoo.com/biden-administration-buying-500-million-201745550.html

Will the government automatically send free rapid test kits to all American households?
No. Americans that want a free test will need to order one. The administration will set up websites that will allow Americans to order a kit to be shipped to their home at some point in January.

"We will have more information as it is available, including what the website looks like," Psaki said. "We will make the website available as soon as these tests are available."

Is my state or city giving out free COVID test kits?
Depending on where you live, yes!

Some major cities, like New York City, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, and states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Washington, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, and Colorado are offering free COVID-19 test kits to some or all residents, according to NPR.

Can I get the cost of a COVID-19 rapid test reimbursed by my insurance in the meantime?
The short answer for most of the 150 million Americans with private health insurance is: not yet.

The Biden administration announced in early December that they would also issue a mandate requiring private insurers to fully reimburse the costs of rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits purchased over-the-counter.

But the reimbursement requirement hasn't gone into effect yet — the White House has said they'll release the exact details of the rule by January 15.

The reimbursement mandate also won't be retroactive for past purchases, meaning that the millions of Americans who shelled out money to buy rapid test kits in preparation for the holidays will have to shoulder those costs out of pocket.

One state, Vermont, has a state-level mandate requiring all insurers who operate in the state to reimburse all over-the-counter.

But while most major private insurers cover the costs of COVID-19 tests conducted in a medical setting or at a test site, many insurers will only reimburse over-the-counter COVID test kits that were ordered by a doctor.

*Italic emphasis is mine.

[lpbk2713]

49. The EPA should have something to say about this.

Many communities all over the country had several drive-up test points and test kit distribution locations. If drivers had to idle for hours, as in the OP, that would have consumed a lot of gasoline and it it would have produced a lot of noxious emissions.

[gldstwmn]

51. I requested test kits from the state at the beginning of December.

I expect they will show up some time in April.

[Polybius]

31. It's everywhere

I live in NYC and they told my co-worker he dad to pay. They said "we're a private company and we charge if you have no insurance."

[Sapient Donkey]

10. What kind of testing center was it?

I know someone who scheduled a test at CVS and the the only slots they could find were a week out. I was surprised to hear that, because for some reason I thought it would be a lot easier to get those. I wonder how much of a difference there is now compared to a couple months ago before this new variant.

Oh, can't find those home tests any longer either.

[Xipe Totec]

13. The issue is that for international flights, the test has to be 24 hours fresh. nt

[LeftInTX]

42. All the free places were not available here. Hubby paid $90 to a private place

that doesn't take insurance.

[Walleye]

48. Oh wow, situation getting dire. I think I got mine just before everybody started lining up

[TheBlackAdder]

3. NJ residents get them 2-day shipped without charge. Hearing from PA residents they pay $90 for them.

.

Two of my kids just got them and there was no requirement to provide medical information.

There is a brief Zoom call they have to attend after the results are processed.

.

[Xipe Totec]

9. For flights to Europe, you must take the test (and have results) within 24 hours before the flight.

[at140]

4. I had 2 rapid antigen tests done recently

because it was requirement to board the cruise ships in November & September.
I made an appointment on-line, wait was minimum, and no out of pocket because I have Medicare plus insurance.

[Sapient Donkey]

11. That was pre-omicron, right?

I used to see a bunch of those rapid home tests before omicron, but those are totally sold out everywhere.

[at140]

16. yes /nt

[MLAA]

6. Was it a pharmacy or a public testing center?

I’m so sorry, my gosh 7 hours is unbelievable for 30 tests.

[Xipe Totec]

14. Pharmacy drive-through. Don't know about public testing centers.

[Ms. Toad]

18. Those are (often) the worst -

and many of them don't qualify for international travel.

I regularly get tested at the pharmacy. As long as there's no line, it's 15 minutes max. The line is mostly people waiting for prescriptions It takes 30-60 iminutes to get a half-dozen prescriptions picked up.

So it's likely the wait wasn't for COVID tests.

(30/day sounds about right - but it's 30 COVID tests AND 100+ prescriptions. In my experience it is the prescriptions, not the tests, that cause the delay.)

[LeftInTX]

43. The public testing sites are turning people away.

Hubby waited several hours and came home. He found a private place for $90. He had to pay.

[Totally Tunsie]

44. The CVS I use has had two outside lanes...

one is for regular prescription drop/pickup and the other is for COVID testing. The testing lane is always empty - no lines or waiting here. (I'm on the RI/MA border.) In fact, they're going back to undesignated lanes b/c it hasn't been necessary.

UPDATE:
I just checked the CVS website for availability in my area.

Availability is wide open - I could get an appointment if I wanted one any time today, tomorrow, or thru the week. Literally, I could leave my house, get a test, and be back home in 20 mins. Guess it all depends on just where one is located. No problems here (RI/MA).

They're still doing drive up - no advance appointment necessary.

[Ms. Toad]

47. The wait for a test around here is 2-3 days.

Or at least it was last week when we were desperately searching for one for my daughter to see if she could avoid cancelling her infusion appointment.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. The U.S.'s testing protocol is pathetic.

[BlackSkimmer]

12. This is inexplicable and inexcusable.

We were all talking about the lack of testing back when tfg was president.

This should have been top of the list with the new administration.

[jimfields33]

22. President Biden is sending every American testing kits in mid January

Hopefully we get them sometime the week of the 20’s. I’m so thankful he mentioned he’s doing this during his speech last week. Gonna save time and lives.

[BlackSkimmer]

35. A wee bit late.

But good to know.

[gldstwmn]

52. Agree. We should have been out in front of this. Walgreens and CVS should not have

been made to carry that burden.

[shrike3]

15. Where I live, there is a shortage of people available to DO the test.

Because so many are out with Covid. Meanwhile, the local hospital is a hot mess, with patients stored in the hallways because there are no beds for them. And antivaxxers doubling down. (Just a little over fifty percent of our state is vaxxed.) Posting memes proclaiming how smart they are. I have become an evil person. I am wishing for people to get Covid.

[at140]

17. I am leaning your way as well....nt

[Walleye]

28. When I got my test at the state testing center it was attended by to National Guard soldiers

[at140]

19. Can I ask why you wanted to get tested?

Usually travel by air or ship requires it.

[Xipe Totec]

20. You answered your own question

Air travel to Europe.

[at140]

32. oh that makes perfect sense!

I have another cruise coming up at end of this month, and I will need to secure an appointment for rapid antigen test. Hope there is no long wait.

[BannonsLiver]

21. Sounds poorly planned.

[smirkymonkey]

24. That's insane!

I live in Boston and have been tested at one of MGH's testing centers twice, and both times it was very quick and efficient (that is all they do at this particular site).

People line up 6 feet apart wearing masks and the test itself (PCR) takes about two minutes or less. The first time it took a day and a half to get my results and the last time (about a month ago) I had my results that evening for a 3pm appointment.

Did your daughter say why she thought it was taking so long?

[Walleye]

29. That was my experience of the state testing site in Delaware

[patphil]

25. My wife tried to schedule a local appointment at several locations.

Earliest appointment was for next Sunday, and then it would take several days to get the results back.
Talk about worthless.
She had tested negative with a home test kit, and wanted confirmation for her job.
So, she'll stay home tomorrow, and retest, and then retest again Tuesday morning.
If all 3 are negative, she'll go back to work.
I'm retired, so no need for me to use up one of our hard-to-get home test kits.
I'll just stay home.
We are fully vaxxed, and boosted.

[PTWB]

26. That seems odd.

My last time getting tested was just a couple of weeks ago. I had about 15 cars in front of me and waited about 45 minutes. I'm not sure how you could wait seven hours for twice as many cars.

[LeftInTX]

39. It got crazy right after Christmas

We bought at home kits prior to a family Christmas gathering. Afterwards, no kits in sight.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

30. 4-5 hour waits here in Michigan

From what I'm hearing from people trying to get them. 2 week waits on scheduled tests in dr offices as well apparently. A shortage on test kits/equipment and staff is being given as the reasons.

[ecstatic]

33. Two or three weeks ago it wasn't like this

Getting tested was a breeze. I used CVS's drive-thru at least three times and they never charged me or my insurance.

Now, finding a test is impossible. I thought the openings would return after the New Year but it doesn't seem like it.

[JCMach1]

34. Essentially, testing is not possible in the DFW area...

beyond impossible wait times.

[PatSeg]

37. That is insane

In New Hampshire, we got free testing kits sent to the home in November. Four kits with two tests per kit.

[LeftInTX]

40. We bought kits prior to Christmas, now you can't find them anywhere.

[PatSeg]

54. I guess New Hampshire ran out very quickly

[Totally Tunsie]

38. I'm certainly not disputing your daughter's experience,

but it just amazes me how disparate this testing experience is. Yes, I see the TV accounts of people and cars lined up for hours at various locations, but here in my area of RI/MA, we just pull up to our local CVS drive-thru window and get an immediate test...no appointment, no line, no waiting. The CVS I use has two outside drive-ups - one for regular prescription pickup/drop and another for COVID testing. The testing lane is always empty!

I sometimes wonder if this isn't a "herd mentality" that hasn't been anticipated. People see lines on TV broadcasts and figure "Whoa - I better get mine now" and rush out to join the fray. Perhaps there are smaller venues at which to receive the test that are being overlooked in the frenzy. How many CVSs were passed by on their way to the stadium testing?

[LeftInTX]

41. I had to make a testing appointment at Walgreens for January 6th. I made the appt on NYE!

No other times were available and it's a PCR test, not rapid.
CVS has no times available.

[Totally Tunsie]

45. I just checked the CVS website for availability in my area.

Availability is wide open - I could get an appointment if I wanted one any time today, tomorrow, or thru the week. Literally, I could leave my house, get a test, and be back home in 20 mins. Guess it all depends on just where one is located. No problems here (RI/MA).

They're still doing drive up - no advance appointment necessary.

[Mossfern]

46. That is just preposterous!

I live in Essex County NJ - there is free walk in testing.
It's a saliva test.

One just walks in and takes a kit from one of the DOZENS of stations of several tests available.
After grabbing the test and instructions, you go back to your car, scan the instructions with your cell phone,
fill out the registration there and spit, spit, spit to fill up a tube and follow the instructions for releasing the reagent
to mix with your saliva. Take the sealed and disinfected tube (they give you an alcohol wipe with your kit) back to
the testing center and drop it off in a bin outside.

The two times I was tested, it took less than 24 hours to receive the results via email.

I've had some major disagreements with our County Executive, but at this point he deserves
accolades for the efficiency of the process. All the workers there were friendly and cheerful and patient.

My husband hasn't been feeling well, so I just returned from my third test.

On the other hand, my 81 year old sister is sick and I think a bit confused because she doesn't think she has Covid because "There are no white spots" in her throat. I admonished her to get tested immediately. She lives in NYC and is reluctant to go out in the weather and wait on line for hours to get tested. I told her that for sure that when they see a frail elderly woman with a walker that they would take her sooner - she doesn't think so. Are people that heartless?

[gldstwmn]

50. The line at my local Walgreens has been wrapped around the

building each day for the last two weeks. The interior pharmacy has been intermittently closed due to being short staffed due to Covid so everything had to go through the drive through.

[at140]

55. Unless you are flying why stand in line for the test?

Omicron is milder than previous variants. If no symptoms, why waste time getting tested?

[gldstwmn]

56. I'm in Colorado so winter tourism is a thing. Also I live close to one of the larger municipal

airports so that may have had an effect as well.

[JuJuChen]

53. meanwhile, it's free for county workers here in San Diego

I can get tested daily if I wanted but I do once a week because there's never a line. I just got tested now after the weekend, walked in, swiped and went upstairs to my office. I consider myself blessed and lucky.