COVID-19 Testing Update
Nov. 5, 2020
Things to Know
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The COVID Testing Pilot Program has been extended to December 19, 2020. The COVID-19 Testing Pilot Program provides payments to Wisconsin organizations that conduct eligible COVID-19 testing in community-based settings, outbreak-based settings, and in high-risk congregate settings. Eligible parties may receive $35 per person tested, including results communication, for testing conducted between August 13 and December 19, 2020. Learn more about or apply for the program here.
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COVID Connect is branching out! COVID Connect now integrates with both Exact Sciences and Mako Medical Laboratories to support COVID-19 community testing across Wisconsin. The COVID Connect experience is almost identical, regardless of the lab that provides test results. Testing sites use the same QR code labels, software, and mission IDs. The difference will be where the specimen collection supplies come from, what those supplies look like, and the courier that ships the specimens to the lab. Community testing sites are connected to a lab based on volume and logistical needs. Any questions can be submitted to the State of Wisconsin COVID-19 Testing Team, DHSCOVIDTestingProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
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Under the CARES Act, private insurers generally must waive any cost-sharing payments for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and certain related items and services when the test is medically necessary. This includes individuals who have insurance coverage and have symptoms or is a close contact to someone with COVID-19. In addition, if an individual is uninsured and received COVID-19 related testing and/or treatment services, the provider may submit a claim to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) for reimbursement. Details are available on HRSA’s website. If someone receives a bill from their insurer, they can file a complaint with their health insurance directly. Individuals may also file a complaint with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
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A standing order for rapid, point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 testing is now available. This standing order is intended to make it easier for organizations to use POC testing supplies efficiently, effectively, and safely. Point of care tests provide rapid results but need confirmatory testing for some patients. Testing with these supplies should follow the recommendations in the Department of Health Services Health Alert Network #17, Important Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Antigen Tests.
- On October 29th, Gov. Evers and DHS Secretary-designee Palm issued a press release to highlight the expansion of new COVID-19 community testing efforts staffed by the Wisconsin National Guard (WING). This includes 71 new free community testing sites that will now be available in 56 counties and 7 tribal nations. These sites have the capacity to test approximately 48,000 people each week. WING-supported community testing sites will be closed on November 11, in observance of Veterans Day and November 26-29, in observance of Thanksgiving. WING-supported community testing efforts will continue through December 10.
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Exact Sciences is now using MyChart to send COVID19 test results. Individuals tested with Exact Sciences kits will receive an email that offers the option of registering as an Exact Sciences patient through MyChart. This is optional, and individuals who register with the state's COVID Connect system will still receive their results by email through COVID Connect. MyChart notifications include the patient result and, starting next week, will also provide links to educational materials from the Centers for Disease Control.
Federal Partners Working with UW System to Offer Rapid, Point-of-Care COVID Testing
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with University of Wisconsin (UW) System campuses, will provide “surge testing” sites for a new rapid-results COVID-19 test available to members of the community.
Some sites will open as early as this week. Testing will be available at no cost. Individuals do not have to be experiencing symptoms or be a close contact of someone with COVID-19 to get a test, nor do they need to live in the community where the testing site is located.
Campuses are currently establishing testing sites that will provide rapid testing using Abbott BinaxNOW antigen tests with medical support provided by eTrueNorth under contract with the federal government. The sites will follow the Department of Health Services recommendations for confirmatory testing described in the Health Alert Network #17. Individuals who test negative using the BinaxNOW test but also are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who test positive but do not have symptoms are urged to get a confirmatory PCR test.
Individuals will register for a free test at the eTrueNorth portal (www.doineedacovid19test.com). At the testing site, individuals will administer the test themselves under supervision, and label it for processing. Participants will also use the eTrueNorth portal to obtain results. When a second, confirmatory test is needed, individuals will receive an email when their results are ready with a link to the same portal.
Learn more about the UW rapid-result COVID-19 testing here.
Community Bright Spot
Modern Apothecary a Strong Advocate in the Fight against COVID-19
Modern Apothecary, located in Kenosha, began partnering with Kenosha County Division of Health to provide community based COVID-19 testing in mid-October. Erin Merritt, pharmacist and owner, provided some additional context.
3 key things to know about Modern Apothecary’s testing efforts
- Since they began testing on Oct. 15, has collected more than 1,300 specimen.
- The testing schedules customers for swabs in 15 minute time slots, allowing for traffic to flow well through their drive thru.
- They created a drive thru model that allows for two separate lines of cars to keep traffic flowing at a steady pace. One line for customers who registered ahead of time and another for customers who needed help registering for their test.
2 experiences unique to testing on a lakefront
- Disassembling the test kits ahead of time made it easier to test on chilly days. They separated test kits into individual components at each testing station to make it easier to grab and test without dropping components on the ground when they were all in the bag.
- Wind from Lake Michigan has blown tents out of the parking lot like kites.
1 next step for Modern Apothecary
- Beginning Saturday, Nov. 7, Modern Apothecary is joining forces with the Kenosha Fire & EMS Department and will move their testing operations to Fire Station 3, 2121 Roosevelt Road, Kenosha.
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