COVID-19 Testing
When to Get Tested
Here’s when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) says you should consider getting a COVID-19 test:
- If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing unless you develop symptoms. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
- If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.
- Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.
Where to Get a Test
Visit COVID.gov/tests to stay up to date on all the latest information regarding COVID-19 testing.
You can take a COVID-19 test at home or at a testing site. Your health care provider can help you make a decision about which type of test is right for you.
At-Home Tests
At-home rapid antigen tests are available for sale at local pharmacies and retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, Target and many grocery store pharmacies.
As of September 25, 2023:
- The federal government will mail four (4) free at-home tests to your household. Order your tests at covidtests.gov.
- The FDA has extended expiration dates for some COVID-19 tests, giving them a longer shelf life. To check for an extended expiration date, visit the FDA webpage on at-home tests, which indicates the brands that have an extended date, and a PDF for each test with new expiration dates.
- Most commercial health insurers in Massachusetts do not currently cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests, though they may cover COVID-19 tests ordered by a doctor.
- People on Medicare can no longer receive free at-home COVID tests from Medicare unless they are covered by a Medicare Advantage plan that chooses to offer the benefit.
- People on Medicaid programs, such as MassHealth, have access to free COVID-19 at-home tests until September 30, 2024.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
There are many sites in the community offering no-cost COVID-19 testing, including many local pharmacies and labs. These tests are ordered by a doctor, and the sites bill your health insurance company for the test.
Test Results
If I am tested for COVID-19 at UMass Memorial Health, how can I access my digital COVID-19 test results?
You can access your digital COVID-19 test results through the myChart patient portal or on the myChart app or contact your ordering provider.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
Keep track of your symptoms. Symptoms can vary.
- If you are asymptotic or experiencing mild symptoms: Stay home to slow the spread, and self-isolate at home to protect your family. Be sure everyone is following CDC prevention practices like mask-wearing, cough covering and hand washing. Be sure to get plenty of fluids, stay hydrated, and get lots of rest. Check in with your provider regarding treatment.
- If you have moderate symptoms: Self-isolate at home, and call your doctor/provider (or an urgent care center) to discuss treatment options.
- If you have severe symptoms and are experiencing a medical emergency: Call 9-1-1.
What does it mean if I have a negative COVID-19 test result?
A negative test result means that you probably were not infected with COVID-19 at the time your sample was collected. You should continue taking steps to protect yourself from COVID-19, including wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and getting vaccinated. If you test early, you may not yet have enough virus in your body to test positive, so consider retesting later.