Question 1

Who Should Get Tested?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to reach out to your doctor immediately if you have any reason to suspect you have COVID-19.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(link is external) (CDC) recommends getting tested if you:
 
Experience symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, etc.)
Have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19
Have recently traveled from an area with a widespread outbreak
Don’t wait. Early detection means you can take precautions right away to limit the spread of the illness to those around you.

Question 2

Where to Get Tested?

Accepted Answer

If you have any reason to suspect you have an active COVID-19 infection, it’s important to reach out to your doctor or another authorized healthcare provider immediately for guidance on where to get tested in your community. Atlanta Medical Testing Services does not collect COVID-19 PCR test specimens for active infections at our patient service centers.
 
Need info about lab partner to go here.
 
SELF-ORDERED COVID-19 TESTING
Through our Lab Partner, patients can order their own COVID-19 testing without a doctor's order. We offer both in-person testing at select Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy drive thrus, as well as an at-home kit collection option. There is also a $0 out-of-pocket option for eligible patients.
 
WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET PHARMACY INSTRUCTIONS
Please follow all the instructions below to be tested at a Walmart Pharmacy. View the list of eligible Walmart Neighborhood Market drive-thru pharmacy locations in Georgia. Find a location near you by clicking here.
 
Walmart Testing Instructions:
Contact your doctor to request a COVID-19 test.
Confirm with your doctor that they placed an "electronic order on hold" to Atlanta Medical Testing Services, LLC
Visit myquestcovidtest.com to schedule an appointment at a Walmart Pharmacy drive-thru testing location near you.
When you arrive to the Walmart for your test, PLEASE DO NOT GO INSIDE WALMART STORE.
Look for the Walmart pharmacy drive-thru signs (located on the side of the Walmart). Once located, proceed to the drive-thru window and let the pharmacist know you are there for your COVID-19 test. Please provide the pharmacist with your photo ID.
A trained Walmart pharmacist will give you a test kit and observe as you administer the test in your car. Follow the pharmacist’s instructions. When you’re done, place the test kit in the external collection box.
Sign in to the MyQuest™ online portal or app to receive your results. If you don't have MyQuest, sign up at myquest.questdiagnostics.com(link is external) or download the app.
CVS Pharmacy Testing Instructions:
 
You do not need a physician's order to be tested at a CVS, but you must register in advance to schedule an appointment. View a list of eligible CVS pharmacy locations in georgia or visit cvshealth.com/covid-19/testing-location
Visit www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing, enter your zip code and click "Schedule a test".
Complete the form to see if you qualify for COVID-19 testing.
If you qualify, select the CVS location you wish to visit to schedule your appointment.
Complete the patient information form in its entirety and click "Submit".
Go to the CVS pharmacy drive-thru during your scheduled time; PLEASE DO NOT GO INSIDE CVS.
Let the pharmacist know you are there for your COVID-19 test. Please provide the pharmacist with your photo ID and insurance card (if applicable).
A trained CVS pharmacist will give you a test kit and observe as you administer the test in your car. Follow the pharmacist’s instructions. When you’re done, place the test kit in the external collection box.
Sign in to the MyQuest online portal or app to receive your results. If you don't have MyQuest, sign up at myquest.questdiagnostics.com or download the app.
GETTING TEST RESULTS THROUGH MYQUEST
Confirm that your healthcare provider is sending your PCR or the IgG antibody test specimens to Atlanta Medical Testing Services, LLC for processing. If so, your test results can be automatically sent to you through the secure MyQuest online portal. This is typically the quickest way to get results. If you need assistance creating an account, visit our MyQuest Account Creation Guide page.

Question 3

Employee SafeGuards

Accepted Answer

You’ll also see our medical staff wearing protective clothing and masks—this is an extra safeguard recommended by the CDC to protect healthcare professionals.

Question 4

How Covid-19 Testing Works

Accepted Answer

If COVID-19 PCR testing is appropriate for you, your healthcare provider will collect your specimen (for example, nose or throat swab). Your respiratory specimens will then be sent to a lab, such as Atlanta Medical Testing Services, for advanced testing. To check for COVID-19 antibodies, your healthcare provider can send you to a Atlanta Medical Testing Services Patient Service Center for a blood collection to test your blood for IgG antibodies, which can identify individuals who have developed a serological response.

Question 5

Testing Capacity

Accepted Answer

Atlanta Medical Testing Services and our joint venture partner, Quest Diagnostics, are performing the testing. Since Quest began processing the highly complex COVID-19 tests on March 9, they have steadily increased testing capacity to meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers and patients in our communities. On April 21, Atlanta Medical Testing Services began offering a COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody serology test which can identify individuals who have developed a serological response. Specimens for the IgG test can be collected at any Atlanta Medical Testing Services location. Due to the high demand for testing, delays in results may occur, although most test results are reported within 48 hours.

Question 6

Covid-19 or the Flu?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of COVID-19 mimic the flu, but it’s important to take either illness very seriously. Speak with your doctor to determine if your symptoms call for COVID-19 or flu testing.
 
COVID-19 TESTING EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA)
This test has not been FDA cleared or approved;
This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories;
This test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and
This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner
SIMPLE STEPS FOR PREVENTION
Protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 with simple prevention methods. The CDC recommends that you:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Stay home when you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Wash your hands often with soap and water
View more CDC Covid-19 Resources>>

Question 7

Frequently Asked Questions

Accepted Answer

WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 (formally known as 2019-nCoV) is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization recently declared COVID-19 an international public health emergency.
DOES Atlanta Medical Testing Services PROVIDE TESTING FOR COVID-19?
Yes. Through Quest Diagnostics, Atlanta Medical Testing Services is one of the labs processing the complex COVID-19 testing during this public health emergency. Keep in mind that you need to contact a doctor or authorized healthcare provider to have your specimen collected (for example, nose or throat swab). You cannot go to a Atlanta Medical Testing Services patient service center for specimen collection of an active COVID-19 PCR infection, but Atlanta Medical Testing Services locations can collect for the IgG antibody test.
ARE Atlanta Medical Testing Services AND QUEST INCREASING ITS TESTING CAPACITY TO MEET DEMAND?
Yes. Atlanta Medical Testing Services and Quest have steadily increased COVID-19 testing capacity to meet the growing demands of both healthcare providers and patients in our communities. Demand remains high and we are processing tests as fast as possible.
HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?
If you suspect you may have COVID-19, contact your doctor or an authorized healthcare provider immediately for guidance. Your doctor can review your symptoms to determine what appropriate testing is needed. If COVID-19 PCR testing makes sense for you, your doctor will direct you where to get tested, which includes collecting your specimens (for example, nose or throat swab). Your respiratory specimens will be sent to a lab, such as Atlanta Medical Testing Services, for advanced testing. You may also utilize select CVS Pharmacy locations throughout Georgia for testing without a physician's order. For more information, visit our Where to get tested page. 
HOW DO I GET COVID-19 TEST RESULTS?
There are multiple ways to get your test results. Your doctor will call you, or you can get them online through our secure MyQuest™ portal. MyQuest is typically the fastest way to get your results; however, it can only access your results if your doctor sent your test specimens to Atlanta Medical Testing Services. If you don’t already have a MyQuest account, signing up is free and easy.
CAN I GO TO A Atlanta Medical Testing Services PATIENT SERVICE CENTER TO BE TESTED?
For PCR testing, you must reach out to your doctor or an authorized healthcare provider for guidance on you where to get tested, which includes collecting your specimens (for example, nose or throat swab). Atlanta Medical Testing Services does not collect COVID-19 PCR test specimens at our patient service centers. The respiratory specimens collected by your healthcare provider are then sent to labs like Atlanta Medical Testing Services to process the tests. For IgG tests, Atlanta Medical Testing Services can collect specimens at any of our statewide Atlanta Medical Testing Services locations.
IS IT SAFE TO GO TO A Atlanta Medical Testing Services PATIENT SERVICE CENTER FOR OTHER TESTING SERVICES NOT RELATED TO COVID-19?
Yes. Atlanta Medical Testing Services has strong safety procedures in place at all times. These protect patients and employees from coming in contact with any infectious diseases. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, we have taken more precautions. Strengthened measures include:
Patients are brought to an empty draw room when available to shorten the waiting room stay.
Patients are required wear a face covering when visiting Atlanta Medical Testing Services. Homemade face coverings and bandanas are fine.
Only patients are allowed to enter a Atlanta Medical Testing Services facility unless a caregiver is needed. Caregivers must also wear a face covering,
Gloves are provided to patients as requested.
Draw room chairs and other surfaces are thoroughly cleaned between patients
Social distancing is fostered by limiting the number of chairs in the PSC waiting rooms.
Enhanced COVID-19 safety training for employees and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Also, patients who suspect they have an active COVID-19 infection should not come to our patient service centers. They should contact their doctor or an authorized healthcare provider.
CAN I ORDER THIS TEST ONLINE FOR MYSELF?
Yes. Through QuestDirect™, you are able to order your own COVID-19 active infection test. We offer the option to be tested at select Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy drive thrus or through an at-home kit. QuestDirect even offers a $0 out-of-pocket option. We also offer the test option to check for COVID-19 antibodies. To learn more, visit Atlanta Medical Testing Serviceslab.com/questdirect. As a reminder, Atlanta Medical Testing Services does not collect specimens for COVID-19 active infections in our Patient Service Centers, but we do collect specimens for COVID-19 antibody testing at our labs.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For answers to more questions about COVID-19, healthcare providers and patients are welcome to call 866-404-1550, the national call center provided by Quest Diagnostics. This call center can provide answers to many questions, but they cannot provide answers regarding patient results.
CDC COVID-19 TEST STATEMENTS:
The test has not been FDA cleared or approved or authorized. The test has been validated according to CLIA, but FDA’s independent review of this validation is pending.

COVID-19 PATIENT INFORMATION

SPECIMEN COLLECTIONS FOR COVID-19 TESTING

HELPFUL INFORMATION