Antigen Testing for Canadians

[rfranklin]

Now with the travel requirements for Canadians changing on February 28th we now need a Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours of returning to Canada.
What is the best option for testing? I see Covid Courier charges $119. Is that the cheapest option? Here in Canada we only have to pay $40. So that seems pretty expensive.

TIA

 

[dchamp444]

Pretty sure you can make an appointment at CVS and get a rapid test for free. I haven't done it myself yet but we are going first week of March so we'll see.

 

[StarSeven7]

You should be able to use CVS or Walgreens for free if there are any near by, or you can buy antigen tests from Switch Health and take them with you (you do them over video chat!). I can't remember exactly what we paid for those, but it was less than $100 for 2 tests I believe.

 

[rfranklin]

You should be able to use CVS or Walgreens for free if there are any near by, or you can buy antigen tests from Switch Health and take them with you (you do them over video chat!). I can't remember exactly what we paid for those, but it was less than $100 for 2 tests I believe.

I see that you get 2 antigen tests for $80 with Switch Health. Can two people use one kit? Or do I need to buy a kit each. If two people can use one kit then thats a pretty good deal for $80

 

[Aladora]

I see that you get 2 antigen tests for $80 with Switch Health. Can two people use one kit? Or do I need to buy a kit each. If two people can use one kit then thats a pretty good deal for $80

I just called Switch Health to ask this.

I was told that each kit contains 2 tests that can be used for 2 different people but they recommend getting one kit per person so you have a spare in case you need to retest.

There are 4 of us traveling so I might split the difference and grab 3 kits so we have 2 spare tests just in case.

 

[StarSeven7]

I see that you get 2 antigen tests for $80 with Switch Health. Can two people use one kit? Or do I need to buy a kit each. If two people can use one kit then thats a pretty good deal for $80

We planned on using it for 2 people but we didn’t end up needing to use it. We’ve used the switch health pcr tests a few times and we’ve never had any issues and we never bought extra because they’re expensive and we’re already buying 4! Lol. I figure if there’s an issue we’ll just go get tested somewhere.

 

[dchamp444]

I just called Switch Health to ask this.

I was told that each kit contains 2 tests that can be used for 2 different people but they recommend getting one kit per person so you have a spare in case you need to retest.

There are 4 of us traveling so I might split the difference and grab 3 kits so we have 2 spare tests just in case.

I totally get their line of reasoning but it's kind of funny that their answer is "yeah, you should probably double the amount that you buy from us in case OUR test is faulty and doesn't work."

 

[rfranklin]

I totally get their line of reasoning but it's kind of funny that their answer is "yeah, you should probably double the amount that you buy from us in case OUR test is faulty and doesn't work."

So I just booked with Acculab. It was $40 per person. And the same premise as Swtich. They will mail you the test and then watch you do it online and then send you a report by email. My cousin who is a doctor just told me about this. This is who she has used in the past to travel to Hawaii. I already booked my test appointment online. I leave next week and then come back March 1st so I just made the cutoff.
the website was www dot acculab dot ca

 

[pokee99]

Now with the travel requirements for Canadians changing on February 28th we now need a Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours of returning to Canada.
What is the best option for testing? I see Covid Courier charges $119. Is that the cheapest option? Here in Canada we only have to pay $40. So that seems pretty expensive.

TIA

Not everywhere in Canada...In BC it costs $90 for an antigen test. It's only cheaper in AB & ON, where labs apparently pay less in taxes/fees.

Free Antigen tests are easy to come by in the US in general - but not sure if that's the case for touristy places like Disneyland, where everything is marked up and harder to get.

 

[rfranklin]

Not everywhere in Canada...In BC it costs $90 for an antigen test. It's only cheaper in AB & ON, where labs apparently pay less in taxes/fees.

Free Antigen tests are easy to come by in the US in general - but not sure if that's the case for touristy places like Disneyland, where everything is marked up and harder to get.

We pay $20 at Walmart and Costco or $40 at Shoppers and Safeway for a rapid antigen test here in Alberta. Results are within 15 minutes. Its crazy that you have to pay more in BC. I just booked my antigen for travel back to Canada from Disneyland from acculab for next month. It was $40 each so thats not too bad.

 

[CanadaSCM]

We’re here now and went to Curative in Hawaiian Gardens.

It’s a walk up booth in the parking lot where you do your own swab while they watch. Free PCR test and results were in my email 12 hours later.

We used Walgreens twice on our last trip to Florida and other than being a drive through was also easy and fast. RapidID test results were emailed the in 24 hours.

Lots of free options even for PCR tests and most of those places also offer antigen.

Curative, Walgreens, CVS

 

[dchamp444]

We’re here now and went to Curative in Hawaiian Gardens.

It’s a walk up booth in the parking lot where you do your own swab while they watch. Free PCR test and results were in my email 12 hours later.

We used Walgreens twice on our last trip to Florida and other than being a drive through was also easy and fast. RapidID test results were emailed the in 24 hours.

Lots of free options even for PCR tests and most of those places also offer antigen.

Curative, Walgreens, CVS

From what I understand, Florida is much easier to navigate for COVID travel testing than California.

 

[pokee99]

It is... I've PCR tested in Florida and Georgia and while both were easy - the ATL area took some planning, and west Florida was wide open. I've had difficulty getting PCR tests in Washington state - and was told that the western US, in general, has a pitiful supply.

 

[chezcurrie]

I’ve used CVS in Anaheim for my last two trips (free PCR), and they do have a free antigen/rapid testing option. You can book up to 5 days in advance I believe. Never had any issues. Looks like the CVS on Karelia offers them and you don‘t need a car - you just need to register on Minute Clinic.

Another option is the switch health antigen tests you do via webcam with a nurse and uploa results. If you are an Aeroplan member they cost $79 for 2 tests.

EDIT: I realize you ordered your tests, but just in case someone else is wondering. Never had any issue with CVS

 

[morrik5]

But isn't the tests done at CVS etc only free to those with the appropriate insurance coverage? Our Green Shield benefits don't cover the testing unless we had Flex Dollars and our plan isn't that kind.

 

[chezcurrie]

But isn't the tests done at CVS etc only free to those with the appropriate insurance coverage? Our Green Shield benefits don't cover the testing unless we had Flex Dollars and our plan isn't that kind.

No, it is free if you do *not* have insurance coverage. Which as Cdn we do not. I have used CVS 4 times, in 3 different states and no issues except when testing minors you need to call in to get the results. Never any issue.

 

[rpfennig]

I wish I had seen this thread a bit earlier. I ended up booking antigen tests through the Covid Clinic at the Anaheim Hotel because dates for the end of April could be booked now and it looks like an easy location to get to. On the other hand, cost is $129 USD per person and "how about that exchange rate?"

 

[dchamp444]

Ended up going with the Switch Health through Aeroplan tests. Figured it was worth it to not have to spend our last day at Disneyland leaving at some point to get tested and hope it all works out.

 

[morrik5]

No, it is free if you do *not* have insurance coverage. Which as Cdn we do not. I have used CVS 4 times, in 3 different states and no issues except when testing minors you need to call in to get the results. Never any issue.

They won't email the parent of a minor the results?

 

[chezcurrie]

They won't email the parent of a minor the results?

They will, you just have to call them and verify the information. A minor cant have a Minute Clinic account and they don't text Canadian numbers. Wasn’t an issue for us both times... as soon as i had my result I called the number and had theirs promptly.