Article

Are you confused about COVID-19 testing? You’re not alone.

July 23, 2020
Read time:
Download Fact Sheets
Register now
Share this resource
Subscribe to our Newsletter
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Download this as a PDF

To test or not to test, that is a question that many Ohioans are grappling with when it comes to the pandemic. As infections continue to increase across the state, knowing your status is very important. Knowing your status can help reduce spread, flatten the curve and protect yourself and others.

Who should get tested

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you have come in contact with someone who has the coronavirus, or have symptoms of COVID-19 and would like to get tested the first thing you should do is talk with your health care provider. If you and your doctor determine you should get tested, there are a variety of ways to do that. According to the State of Ohio, a doctor’s order is required for all tests, but at all state pop-up sites and some privately-run sites a doctor will create an order on-site for someone to get tested if they have symptoms, are in an at-risk population or have been exposed to the virus. At other locations a doctor’s order may be required in advance – it’s best to check with the testing site before heading to get tested. Ohio has issued guidance saying that anyone who wants a test can get a test regardless of symptoms, but “it’s not a mandate that testing locations follow this guidance.[1]

 If you have come in contact with someone who has the coronavirus, or has symptoms of COVID-19 and would like to get tested the first thing you should do is talk with your health care provider.

Who pays for the test

For those showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or who are suspected of having been exposed to it, ALL forms of public and private insurance, including self-funded plans will cover the test if it is believed to be medically appropriate.[2] At state pop-up testing sites, there will be no out-of-pocket costs but the state will bill patients' Medicaid or private insurance if they have coverage. The state and federal government will pay for tests fo people who do not have insurance at these pop-up sites. The Ohio Department of Health has said that while private testing sites may also not require out-of-pocket costs, “the state cannot guarantee that all privately run testing sites will test without charging the patient.”[3]

Testing Options:

There are two types of COVID-19 tests: viral tests and antibody tests.[4] A viral test determines if you are currently infected with the coronavirus. It is administered by a nasal or mouth swab. An antibody test looks for the body’s immune response to the virus, not the virus itself, so it is meant for people who were previously infected. According to guidance from the CDC, an antibody test should not be used to determine if you currently have COVID-19.

Your Health Provider/Medical Facility

Many health systems will provide tests for people with a doctor’s order for high-risk patients who meet certain criteria. For example, the Cleveland Clinic identifies:[5]

  • Those age 61 and older
  • Children under 36-months-old (3 years old and under)
  • People on immunosuppressive therapy
  • Those with end-stage renal disease who are on dialysis
  • Contact with a known COVID-19 patient
  • People with coronary artery disease
  • People with lung disease
  • People living with HIV/AIDS

Testing through the state and county boards of health

The State of Ohio has established pop-up testing sites that focus on “underserved areas, particularly minority communities and communities that have seen a recent increase in their infection rate[s].[6]At pop-up sites, people do not need to show symptoms or have a doctor’s order in advance. Some pop-up testing sites do require appointments in advance.

 At pop-up sites, people do not need to show symptoms or have a doctor’s order in advance. Some pop-up testing sites do require appointments in advance.

County boards of health are also working hard to keep residents up-to-date on free community-based coronavirus testing sites and locations. We have included testing information below from some county boards of health in areas that have seen significant cases of coronavirus infections. To find information your local county board of health, click here.

Athens County: Testing is available at select health centers and retailers. Some sites will require an appointment or doctor’s order. While some sites require insurance to bill for the cost of the test, there are also programs available for those without insurance. Pop-up testing sites are also an option for those looking for a no-cost coronavirus test. Click here to find a testing site near you.

Cuyahoga County: In partnership with the MetroHealth System and local faith-based organizations, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health is providing free testing for residents at specific sites. Advance registration is required for all of these county sites. Click here to find a testing site nearest you.

Franklin County: Free coronavirus testing is available at multiple community health locations such as PrimaryOne Health and OSU Wexner Medical Center. Click here to find a testing site nearest you.

Hamilton County: Free coronavirus testing is available at select Kroger stores, community health centers and retailers. Some testing sites require an appointment. Click here to find a testing site nearest you.

Lucas County: Free coronavirus testing is available at select Rite Aid’s, community health centers and retailers. Some testing sites have age-restrictions on who can be tested, require appointments and/or request insurance information. Click here to find a testing site near you.

[1] COVID-19 Testing Guidance Protecting Against COVID-19, Ohio Department of Health, Accessed July 23, 2020. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/MHSF/COVID-19-Ohio-Testing-FAQ.pdf  

[2] Five Things to Know about the Cost of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment, Accessed July 21, 2020. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/five-things-to-know-about-the-cost-of-covid-19-testing-and-treatment/#:~:text=Starting%20on%20March%2018%20and,is%20deemed%20medically%20appropriate%20by  

[3] COVID-19 Testing Guidance Protecting Against COVID-19, Ohio Department of Health, Accessed July 23, 2020. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/MHSF/COVID-19-Ohio-Testing-FAQ.pdf  

[4] Testing for COVID-19, Accessed July 21, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html#:~:text=Two%20kinds%20of%20tests%20are,you%20had%20a%20previous%20infection  

[5] What patients are being prioritized for drive-up and on-site testing?, Accessed July 21, 2020. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/preparing-for-coronavirus#testing  

[6] COVID-19 Testing Guidance Protecting Against COVID-19, Ohio Department of Health, Accessed July 23, 2020. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/MHSF/COVID-19-Ohio-Testing-FAQ.pdf

Download Fact Sheets

District 10

Download

All Council Districts 2024

Download

District 4

Download

District 2

Download

District 11

Download

District 9

Download

District 8

Download

District 5

Download

District 7

Download

District 1

Download

District 3

Download

District 6

Download

West Boulevard

Download

University

Download

Union-Miles

Download

Tremont

Download

Stockyards

Download

St.Clair-Superior

Download

Old Brooklyn

Download

Ohio City

Download

North Shore Collinwood

Download

Mount Pleasant

Download

Lee-Seville

Download

Lee-Harvard

Download

Kinsman

Download

Kamm's Corners

Download

Jefferson

Download

Goodrich-Kirtland Park

Download

Glenville

Download

Fairfax

Download

Euclid-Green

Download

Edgewater

Download

Downtown

Download

Detroit Shoreway

Download

Cudell

Download

Collinwood-Nottingham

Download

Clark-Fulton

Download

Central

Download

Buckeye-Woodhill

Download

Buckeye-Shaker Square

Download

Brooklyn Centre

Download

Broadway-Slavic Village

Download

Bellaire-Puritas

Download

All Neighborhoods 2024

Download

West Boulevard Factsheet

Download

University Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Union-Miles Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Tremont Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Stockyards Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

St. Clair-Superior Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Old Brooklyn Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Ohio City Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

North Shore Collinwood Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Lee-Seville Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Lee-Harvard Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Kinsman Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Kamm's Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Jefferson Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Hough Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Hopkins Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Goodrich-Kirtland Park Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Glenville Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Fairfax Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Euclid-Green Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Edgewater Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Downtown Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Cuyahoga Valley Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Cudell Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Collinwood-Nottingham Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Clark-Fulton Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Central Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Buckeye-Shaker Square Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Brooklyn Centre Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Broadway-Slavic Village Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

Bellaire-Puritas Neighborhood Factsheet

Download

All Neighborhoods 2016

Download

District 2

Download

District 1

Download

Ohio Women Statewide

Download

All Women Fact Sheets

Download

Wyandot Women

Download

Wood Women

Download

Williams Women

Download

Wayne Women

Download

Washington Women

Download

Warren Women

Download

Vinton Women

Download

Van Wert Women

Download

Union Women

Download

Tuscarawas Women

Download

Trumbell Women

Download

Summit Women

Download

Stark Women

Download

Shelby Women

Download

Seneca Women

Download

Scioto Women

Download

Sandusky Women

Download
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Download report

Subscribe to our newsletter

5 Things you need to know arrives on Mondays with the latest articles, events, and advocacy developments in Ohio

Explore the fact sheets

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.

No Related Fact Sheets

Explore Topics

Browse articles, research, and testimony.

Poverty & Safety Net
Article

The Jedi public health approach and four more ways to address weathering

Natasha Takyi-Micah
October 7, 2024
Poverty & Safety Net
Article

Community Solutions supports annual Glenn Leadership Forum, October 18

Tara Britton
October 7, 2024
Poverty & Safety Net
Article

Current state of Ohio’s state budget

Tara Britton
September 30, 2024
Poverty & Safety Net
Article

Populations growing and shrinking in Cleveland, by age

Emily Muttillo
September 30, 2024
Maternal & Infant Health
Article

Five year anniversary screening of Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story

Emily Muttillo
September 23, 2024