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1. WHAT TYPE OF TEST IS PERFORMED AT SNOHOMISH HEALTH DISTRICT TESTING SITES

Diagnostic RT-PCR self-swab nasal tests are done at Snohomish Health District testing locations. The FDA approved NAAT COVID-19 tests are processed by a CLIA-certified lab. The lab uses a range of diagnostic styles which are explained here: COVID-19 Testing Frequently Asked Questions For Patients (UW). The Snohomish Health District does not perform rapid COVID-19 tests.

2. HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

A website has been set up (click here) where people will be asked screening questions and sign up for an appointment. If there are multiple people who will be coming in the same vehicle to be tested, each of them should register. 

People who are being tested should arrive on-time and no more than 15 minutes before their appointment, and they will remain in their cars the entire time. Individuals must have an appointment and photo ID ready when arriving at the testing site. 

3. IS THERE A COST FOR BEING TESTED AT THE DRIVE-THRU SITES?

• When you sign up for an appointment you will be asked to provide your insurance information. The lab will bill your insurance for the cost of the test. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act insurance companies are required to cover medically necessary testing. We encourage you to review your own insurance coverage, especially if you are being tested for non-medical reasons, such as travel. Northwest Labs may reach out to you to verify insurance information or collect additional information needed for billing.
• If you do not have health insurance you can still sign up for an appointment, you will not be billed for the cost of the test.

4. WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE RESULTS?

Results should be available within 2 to 3 calendar days. Please do not call the lab until at least 3 days have passed since you were tested. You will not receive a notification when your results are ready. To find your results either:

• Scan the QR code provided at the testing appointment to access results directly using the camera application on your phone, or
• Go to the website: https://securelink.labmed.uw.edu to search your results by entering the 16-digit retrieval code below and your date of birth. We encourage you to start checking on the website after at least 2 days have passed since you were tested.
• If you lose your QR code or have trouble accessing your results, call University of Washington laboratory service line at 1-833-562-1212 for technical assistance.

• COVID-19 Testing Information: What should you do while you wait for test results (PDF)
• COVID-19 Información de Prueba: ¿Qué debe hacer mientras espera los resultados de la prueba?

5. I WAS TOLD MY TEST WAS POSITIVE/NEGATIVE, BUT HOW DO I GET DOCUMENTATION FOR MY EMPLOYER?

For those tested after April 13, your test results will be made available by the Snohomish Health District. You will receive instructions from staff on how to get those sent to you, or you can email covidtesting@snohd.org for assistance.

6. IS THIS THE ONLY TESTING OPTION?

No. Drive-thru testing expanded on other testing options, but did not replace existing testing offered by many local healthcare providers. We still encourage you to contact your medical provider by phone or online if you have symptoms. They may refer you for testing, but remember, not everyone needs to be tested and most people can recover at home.

7. ARE PEOPLE TESTED FOR OTHER ILLNESSES, TOO?

No. This is specifically for COVID-19 testing.

8. WHAT ABOUT TESTING FOR TRAVEL?

• Test results are expected within 2-3 calendar days, and can often meet the 72 hour travel testing deadline. This is a flexible timeline depending on the lab’s workload. Please carefully research the requirements of your destination state or country.
• Those needing travel testing should consider calling around to providers and labs to ask about their offerings. Our website provides a list of testing providers in Snohomish County. Check with your insurance provider about coverage for travel testing.
• Travel requirements vary by destination. All of the testing methods used by UW are nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and test reports include language indicating the testing method: either RT-PCR or NAAT is explicitly mentioned. Though "RT-PCR" is prominently displayed in most countries' requirements, most destinations require a NAAT method (rather than RT-PCR specifically). Questions about transcription mediated amplification, a NAAT technology in use in our lab and many other labs, may be addressed with this letter. It is the traveler's responsibility to determine the specific requirements of their destination. Our laboratory will not repeat testing with a separate testing method for non-medical reasons.
• UW is a Hawaii Trusted Testing Partner so our results are accepted for entrance to Hawaii. Travelers must use our SecureLink results portal to access the results form that is accepted by Hawaii. More information can be found here: https://testguide.labmed.uw.edu/staff/guideline/hawaii_safe_travels.