Quest now offers consumer-initiated and physician-ordered COVID-19 diagnostic test options
Individuals can now purchase a test to diagnose COVID-19 online, without visiting a doctor's office, through QuestDirect, the consumer-initiated testing business of Quest Diagnostics.
The QuestDirect COVID-19 Active Infection test can be purchased online with specimen collection available in two ways: at-home or at one of more than 500 Walmart Neighborhood Market drive-thru pharmacy locations across the United States.
After an individual purchases the test online, a licensed physician with an independent national network of physicians providing clinical oversight for QuestDirect services, will promptly review the order and, if deemed appropriate, order the test.
Unlike other consumer-initiated COVID-19 diagnostic tests, Quest provides two options for specimen collection:
· A specimen collection kit is mailed to the individual's home. The individual may then submit the specimen in the kit via FedEx overnight to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory for testing.
· An individual may also opt to purchase the kit online and take it to one of more than 500 Walmart drive-thru pharmacy window locations in the United States for observed collection. At these Walmart locations, a trained pharmacist will observe the collection process and the specimen will be picked-up from a secure drop box and delivered to a Quest laboratory for testing.
· Test results are available in an easy-to-read report on MyQuest, the company's secure patient portal accessible on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Physicians are available post-test via telehealth to help consumers with interpretation of the result and referral into appropriate care.
The new service complements the QuestDirect COVID-19 Antibody Test, which was launched in April 2020. The QuestDirect COVID-19 Active Infection test is available online at QuestCOVID19.com.
