A: You can purchase a COVID-19 Diagnostic Test through our vendor, MedCall, by clicking here. Note: Orders placed through MedCall will not be tracked via CastleBranch platforms, and will not appear in your current CastleBranch account.

A: COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus, which can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and has now spread globally, including within the United States. There is limited information available to characterize the spectrum of a clinical illness associated with COVID-19, but it likely spreads to others when a person shows signs or symptoms of being sick (e.g. fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.).

A: No. This test is not yet approved or cleared by the U.S. FDA. When there are no FDA–approved or cleared tests available, and other criteria are met, the FDA can make tests available under an emergency access mechanism called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The EUA for this test is supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for the detection and/or diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID-19. This EUA will remain in effect (meaning this test can be used) for the duration of the COVID-19 declaration justifying the emergency of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, unless it is terminated or revoked by the FDA (after which the test may no longer be used). More information about this at–home test kit can be found here.

A: No, an at–home COVID-19 diagnostic test kit will be provided, and the test will be self–administered by the donor providing a saliva sample with the supplies provided in their test kit. Each donor should follow the directions provided in the test kit exactly to ensure they receive results quickly and accurately.

A: If you have a positive test result, it is very likely that you have COVID-19. Therefore, it is also likely that you may be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus to others. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false–positive result). Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results along with your medical history, and your symptoms.

A: A negative test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. For COVID-19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms usually means that COVID-19 did not cause your recent illness.

A: Traditionally, a body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) was defined as normal. But recent evidence suggests that it is normal for body temperatures to fluctuate between about 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 degrees Celsius) and 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius), and to increase during the day. It is common for your temperature reading to differ slightly from one to the next. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false–negative) in some people with COVID-19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test result is negative. If this is the case, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with all other aspects of your medical history (such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled) in deciding how to care for you. It is important that you work with your healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take.

A: The most up–to–date information on COVID-19 is available at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 site. Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.

A: If you have required your student/employee to take a COVID-19 Diagnostic Test via a Diagnostic Test Tracking Checklist Item within CB Bridges^™, then they will have received 2 checklist items. The first item will instruct your student/employee to order a test and upload their proof of purchase. The second will require them to upload their final test results. The uploading of the proof of purchase will allow you to see that your student/employee has started the testing process, by ordering their test, even if they have yet to receive results. To gain insight into whether your student/employee has taken the test post order, and is still waiting on their results to be provided, please contact your student/employee directly. CastleBranch will not have visibility into whether or not the student/employee has completed the test, once ordered, until their results are uploaded to their CB Bridges^™ checklist item.

A: All at–home test kits must be ordered and paid for individually. Because of this, we suggest having students/employees place and pay for tests themselves, and then having students/employees submit proof of purchase to your organization as part of an organizational reimbursement plan. We apologize for this inconvenience. We hope to expand COVID-19 testing options in the future. However, individual at–home test kits are all that are available at this time.

A: Students/employees should always check with their insurance provider about reimbursement prior to ordering a test. Once the student/employee places their COVID-19 diagnostic test order, a receipt will be provided to them with the medical billing codes required for the student/employee to submit the receipt to their insurance for reimbursement, if their insurance provider allows.

A: You should always check with your insurance provider about COVID-19 diagnostic test coverage prior to ordering a test. Once you place your order for your COVID-19 diagnostic test kit, a receipt will be provided to you with the medical billing codes required for submission to your insurance provider for reimbursement, if allowed by your provider.

A: All test kits will be shipped using FedEx 2–day shipping.

A: The sample will be shipped back to the lab via FedEx 2–day shipping, using the provided return shipping label. Once received, the lab will process your sample within 48 hours.

A: You will use the provided return shipping label from within your Test Kit to ship your sample back to the lab. You will be required to ship the package from a FedEx DropBox or location. You can use the QR code provided on your testing instructions to locate your closest FedEx location.

A: If you have shipped your results to the lab to be tested, check to make sure your results have been received by the lab using the FedEx shipping number provided in your test kit. Once received, it may take the lab up to 48 hours to process your results. If it has been more than 48 hours, and your results came back as positive, MedCall may have attempted to contact you to inform you of your result. Check your phone for any missed calls or voicemails. MedCall will attempt to call you multiple times to report a positive result. You will not receive an email with your positive results until you have verbally received your positive test result, and been offered to speak with a physician about the results.

A: No, you do not have to speak to a physician about your test results whether positive or negative. However, MedCall will offer you a physician consultation if you receive positive results. If you choose to speak to a physician you will be charged an additional consultation fee that MedCall will disclose at the time of offer.

A: If you do not see an upload option on your checklist, try clicking the link within your checklist item. Once the link has been selected, an upload button should appear. Use the upload button to submit your results to your checklist item.