Free Same-Day COVID RT-PCR*
& Vaccines in Chicago
(with accepted insurance)

Simply schedule online and then come to our Lakeview or West Loop location

If you are a U.S. resident & insured, testing is free with accepted insurance.

If you are not a U.S. resident and do not have insurance coverage you must self-pay. Pricing is as follows:

• Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Nasal Swab Test: $75

• Nasal Swabs (RT-qPCR) to detect active COVID-19 infection: $75

• Antibody Blood Test (IgG) to detect remote COVID-19 infection: $75

• Rapid PCR: $325. (can add on Rapid Nasal for an additional $75)

ANTIGEN TESTS:

• Whereas molecular tests require specialized equipment for processing samples, an antigen test is simpler, because it requires smaller devices that are easy to transport. Their design is similar to, say, a pregnancy test.

• How does the test work? Antigen tests search for pieces of protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sample you provide is treated with a reagent and analyzed on the spot by a health care professional. Unlike molecular tests, these require a higher level of virus in the test sample before the test will turn positive. This means that an antigen test may sometimes lead to a false negative.

• How is a sample obtained? As with molecular tests, a sterile swab is inserted into your nose or throat to obtain a specimen (see details above)—although throat swabs may be less common these days.

• How accurate are they? According to the CDC, antigen test sensitivity varies depending on the time in the course of one’s infection, but is considered to have “moderate to high” sensitivity during peak viral load. Compared to molecular tests, antigen tests are more likely to generate false negative results, especially when performed on people who don’t have symptoms.

PCR TESTS:

• Still, for the diagnosis of people seriously ill (with a presumed case of COVID-19), doctors will generally use a PCR test, because false-negative tests might result in inadequate treatment.  

• If you are traveling, you might be required to get tested, too. The location you are visiting might require a certain type of test and approved testing locations as well. 

• Dr. Campbell says a PCR test probably makes the most sense for travel. “You want to detect the virus early, and the PCR test is the most sensitive for that to make sure you are not infectious for your trip,” he says, acknowledging that many place