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Home / COVID-19 (coronavirus) / Phone Screening and Testing FAQs

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COVID-19 Phone Screening and Testing FAQs

Individuals must be 18 years or older to be tested at the COVID-19 testing sites.

COVID-19 Phone Screening

• Is the initial COVID-19 “Phone-Screening” Free to all who call 1-833-UTRGVMD?

  Phone screening is free and a means to provide the best type of appointment. There is no cost for the initial appointment screen with the patient communication center. The patient communication center will offer options for the best type of appointment.

  As with any appointment, the appointments, including drive-thru or telemedicine, will be billed to your insurance provider. Please check with your insurance to determine your coverage.

• If someone calls 1-833-UTRGVMD, goes through the initial phone-screening, and qualifies for an appointment, will they only be referred to a UTRGV testing or clinical site?

  Yes, the call center can only make appointments at UTRGV testing sites and clinical sites.

• After filling out the online form for the initial phone screening, how long does it take for you to get call back to make an initial appt.?

  Within 24 hours (M-F).

COVID-19 On-Site Testing

• How much does a COVID-19 test cost?

  There is a $0 out-of-pocket cost to patients in the RGV! Please see details below.

  • Insured Patients: There is a $0 copay for insured patients. As with any appointment and diagnostic test, the appointments and diagnostic tests, including drive-thru or telemedicine, will be billed to your insurance provider. Billing per patient may vary depending on insurance provider. Please contact your insurance provider to verify your plan coverage and costs.
  • Uninsured Patients: As directed by the federal government, there is a $0 cost for uninsured patients being tested for COVID-19.

• What if I don’t have health insurance?

  Please continue to Request Your Phone Screening. As directed by the federal government, there is a $0 cost for uninsured patients being tested for COVID-19.

• Once referred to a UTRGV testing or clinical site for an appointment, will patients go through any additional screening before being tested for COVID-19?

  Yes. During the appointment, a UT Health RGV provider will make the final decision to perform the test for COVID-19.

  • Insured Patients: As with any appointment and diagnostic test, the appointments and diagnostic tests, including drive-thru or telemedicine, will be billed to your insurance provider.
  • Uninsured Patients: As directed by the federal government, there is no cost for uninsured patients being tested for COVID-19.

• How many UTRGV COVID-19 testing sites are there?

  UTRGV has a total of 4 COVID-19 testing sites.

  • Edinburg (Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
  • Brownsville (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
  • Mercedes (Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM)
  • Harlingen (Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM)

• After going through any additional screening at a UTRGV testing or clinical site, can patients still be denied a COVID-19 test?

  While it is likely a COVID-19 test will be done after a patient meets the phone screening criteria, if the UT Health RGV provider believes the symptoms are related to something else, the provider will treat accordingly.

• Are patients who did not qualify for a test after an appointment at a UTRGV testing or clinical site, still liable to pay for the appointment?

  • Insured Patients: As with any appointment and diagnostic test, the appointments and diagnostic tests, including drive-thru or telemedicine, will be billed to your insurance provider.
  • Uninsured Patients: As directed by the federal government, there is no cost for uninsured patients being tested for COVID-19.

• What is the turnaround time for COVID-19 lab results for tests done at a UTRGV testing site?

  After COVID-19 testing, it can take 48-72hrs to get test results unless there is an extreme volume (M-F).

• Do you get a call back if you are positive or negative?

  Yes, you will receive a call to confirm either positive or negative for COVID-19.

• If I already have a doctor’s referral, do I still need to request a phone screening?

  Patients with a referral still need to call 1-833-UTRGVMD, have a Phone Screening and be scheduled at one of our COVID-19 drive-thru sites.