COVID-19 Testing and Care

Yes! COVID-19 testing is available at ALL of our open locations across the state of South Carolina. We offer rapid molecular tests as well as PCR send-out laboratory tests.

If you get a rapid test, you’ll receive your test results during your visit. Rapid molecular testing with same-day results is subject to availability.

You may also be tested for seasonal flu or strep throat during your visit. In certain situations, a PCR send-out test may be administered. Timeframes for receiving results from send-out diagnostic tests will depend on current lab volumes across the state at the time of your test.

Before you visit a center, please check our locations page to verify the hours of operation.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

For non-emergency cases, visit www.DoctorsCare.com/Anywhere for virtual care.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

If you have developed symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, coughing and difficulty breathing, we recommend rapid molecular testing at any open Doctors Care location as soon as you can.

Before you visit a center, please check our locations page to verify hours of operation.

In certain situations a PCR send-out test may be administered, and timeframes for receiving results from send-out diagnostic tests will depend on current lab volumes across the state at the time of your test.

Rapid molecular testing with same-day results is subject to availability.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 we highly recommend you visit Doctors Care Anywhere, our virtual urgent care platform first. This is to limit possible further exposure of COVID-19 to our staff and other patients in our centers.

Our Doctors Care Anywhere virtual urgent care providers are available and can refer you to a convenient Doctors Care center for immediate assistance with swab-testing.

Access Doctors Care Anywhere virtual urgent care here.

It usually takes a few days after exposure to produce a positive COVID-19 test result. At this time, there are no firm numbers for exactly how long it takes to get an accurate positive test result. The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically around 2 to 14 days. Most people’s symptoms appear around day five, on average. Therefore, it’s recommended that you wait to get tested for at least two to three days after potential exposure. Some health experts say five days after exposure might be a good testing point, since that’s the median time when symptoms usually appear. If you test too soon, you may not have enough virus in your system for detection by our test.

For patients who require testing for the following:

• Return-to-work testing
• Travel testing
• Asymptomatic testing
• Exposure to COVID-19 testing

We recommend you visit Doctors Care Anywhere, our virtual urgent care platform where our online providers will refer you to a convenient Doctors Care center for immediate assistance with swab-testing.

Doctors Care is happy to provide testing for clearance purposes, however, please be aware that most insurance plans do not cover this type of testing because it’s not considered “medically necessary.” Because of this, most patients will be billed the self-pay rate for diagnostic testing (instead of filing insurance) of $150 to receive this service.

Doctors Care offers two types of diagnostic tests. You may receive either a rapid molecular test, or a PCR send-out laboratory test.

The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid molecular test requires a simple nasal swab and provides results in about 15 minutes. If rapid tests aren’t available due to supply chain issues, then a PCR send-out test can be conducted. We have partnerships with many professional labs for send-out tests. Timeframes for receiving results from send-out diagnostic tests will depend on current lab volumes across the state at the time of your test.

If you received a test in one of our centers you’ll have spoken with a provider on any necessary treatment, and will have received patient education on how to self-isolate. If you received a send-out test and are waiting for your test results, you must quarantine yourself at home and away from others. Please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/ for information on how to care for yourself at home and minimize exposure risks to family or friends

If you come to one of our centers for a COVID-19 rapid molecular test, you will receive your results during your office visit. The test takes about 15 minutes to complete. You may also be given a rapid test for flu or strep throat, and will receive those results during your visit. It will take about 24-48 hours after your test for your results to be viewable in your patient portal. You will be able to print the test documentation after the results appear in the patient portal.

To register for our patient portal and monitor your testing results, respond to the email link you should have received after your visit. You may also go to doctorscare.com/patientportal/ and register for an account, or login to your existing account.

The CDC provides up-to-date guidance on isolation duration based on certain criteria, please refer to the links below for guidelines when considering these questions.

Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html

Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html

Discontinuation of Isolation for Patients with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html

Doctors Care continues to take extra precautions around stringent disinfection and social distancing protocols.  We require all patients wear a face-covering while in our centers to help limit the risk of exposure to other patients and staff.