If you have been tested for HIV, you may be wondering how long it will take to get your PCR test results. The answer depends on a few factors. In general, CVS estimates that their COVID-19 testing will have results in about 3 days, but this may change if you are a new patient or if there was an unexpected delay in processing your sample at the lab facility.
If you've been wondering how long it will take to get your COVID-19 PCR test results from CVS, don't worry. You've come to the right place! According to their FAQs about their COVID-19 testing, an existing patient can expect test results in about 3 days.
So what exactly is a PCR test? And how do you get one? Where can I get one? What does "COVID-19" mean? If these questions are on your mind, read on!
If you are a new patient, you will need to establish a CVS account and provide some personal information. This includes your name, address, phone number and birthday. You will also need to provide information about your insurance coverage as well as the method of payment that you prefer.
If this is not the first time that you have visited CVS, then it is likely that you can use your existing account from previous visits. If this is not possible for some reason or if there has been a lapse in time since the last visit (for example: more than six months), then it is recommended that a new account be created.
There are several reasons why your test results may be delayed. The first is that the lab will need to establish your records with CVS before you can be tested. This can take time and delay the reporting of your result.
CVS employees are also required to review each patient's medication history before testing, in order to make sure that there is no risk of an adverse reaction between their medications and the drugs being tested for in the PCR test kit. While this process isn't particularly complicated or time-consuming (it only takes a few minutes), it does require all staff members involved to take extra care when processing your request.
The COVID-19 PCR test takes longer than other rapid antibody and antigen tests because it is being processed at a lab rather than being analyzed immediately on site. It usually takes 3 business days to receive your results by mail, phone or online once completed. Some clinics may offer faster delivery options such as by phone or online if you prefer those methods of communication. If you requested an additional screening for the flu, then you can expect your test results between 5-7 days after the initial COVID-19 PCR was performed at a CVS location near you!
If you are a new patient, it may take up to 7 business days for your results to be ready. That's because the lab needs time to get your test results from the doctor who ordered them and then enter them into their system.
If you're not a new patient and you've already given them your medical history, they'll have all of that information on file and should be able to give you your test results much more quickly—usually within three business days.
CVS will mail you your results in three to seven days, according to the company's website. If you want an instant result from a lab, it'll cost more—but if you're fine waiting a few days for your results, then this is the way to go.
If you have been told to get a PCR test from CVS, know that it will be a long wait for your results. The PCR test is used to detect the presence of gonorrhea or chlamydia in the throat and urethra (pee hole). Since these two STIs are transmitted through sexual contact, it takes longer for your doctor or nurse to get the results back than it would if they were testing for strep throat or another bacterial infection.
You don't have much control over when your PCR results come back; unfortunately, there's no magic trick that will miraculously bring them sooner. But while you're waiting, there are things you can do to pass the time more quickly:
If you'd like some one-on-one time with our team here at CVS Health Care Systems Inc., please call us at 1-888 611 8219 during regular business hours (Monday - Friday 8am - 7pm CST). We're happy to answer any questions about our services and how long they take so we can help make this process as easy as possible for everyone involved!
In summary, CVS’s COVID-19 PCR test has a turnaround time of three business days. This means that the test results will be available in approximately 72 hours if you already have an account with CVS. If you don’t have an account with CVS and are trying to establish one so that they can run tests on your samples, expect this process to take longer than three days because it requires time before testing can begin.