COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 TESTING

If you live in San Francisco and have a symptoms, have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, or you work in San Francisco and interact with the public, you can get tested for free at any site that offers COVID-19 testing.

Both adults and children can get tested. Children (5-11) will need a parent or guardian to book them an appointment.

You should avoid traveling for leisure unless you are fully vaccinated. Find available COVID-19 testing options in San Francisco here.

Download the COVID-19 Home Test Results: What To Do Next flyer for guidance on what to do after receiving either a negative or positive test result from a COVID-19 home test kit.

Blue Shield of California Trio HMO and Access+ HMO Members

Blue Shield recommends that you visit an in-network testing site whether you have a healthcare provider order or not. However, diagnostic testing ordered or performed by licensed or authorized out-of-network health care providers is also covered.

If you have symptoms or think you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. They can tell you where to get a test if needed. Visit Blue Shield's Testing for COVID-19 FAQ page for more details.

Trio HMO members can call (855) 747-5800. Access+ HMO members can call Telephone: (855) 256-9404.

Health Net CanopyCare HMO Members

Contact your Health Net CanopyCare provider to schedule in-person COVID-19 testing.

For more information, members can call Health Net at (833) 448-2042 or visit healthnet.com/COVID19 for more information.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage PPO Members

UHC Medicare Advantage PPO members will have their costs covered for U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or approved OTC at-home COVID-19 tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022.

UHC Medicare Advantage PPO plan members are eligible to get up to eight (8) individual COVID-19 test kits per covered participant each calendar month without a prescription.

Coverage includes OTC at-home COVID-19 test kits authorized or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Look for an FDA Emergency Use Authorization label on the package. The most common tests are BinaxNOWTM, i-Health®, InteliSwabTM, On/GoTM, COVID-19 At-Home test kits (Roche) and QuickVue®.

Starting April 4, 2022 until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends, Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you.

You can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at any pharmacy or health care provider that participates in this initiative. Check with your pharmacy or health care provider to see if they are participating. If so, they can provide your tests and will bill Medicare on your behalf.

A partial list of participating pharmacies can be found at medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus. Bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card to get your free tests (even if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D plan), but the pharmacy may be able to get the information it needs to bill Medicare without the card.

Prior to April 4, 2022, if you purchased a COVID-19 test kit from a store or online retailer, submit your purchase receipt(s) for a reimbursement of up to $12 per test kit, for a total of 8 kits each calendar month.

Download UHC Medicare Advantage PPO's Home Testing Kit Reimbursement Instructions here.

To order free at-home COVID-19 test kits shipped directly from the federal government, visit https://www.covidtests.gov.

Talk to your primary care provider or other health care professional if you think you need COVID-19 testing. Find a testing site using UHC's Testing Center Locator here. You will have $0 cost-share (copayment, coinsurance or deductible) on medically appropriate COVID-19 testing during the national public health emergency period.

For more details about UHC's COVID-19 testing coverage, click here. UHC PPO members call (866) 282-0125. UHC Medicare Advantage members call (877) 259-0493.

Kaiser Permanente Members

Kaiser Permanente members can schedule a COVID-19 test online or by using the Kaiser Permanente app to self-schedule a COVID-19 test through an e-visit.

Individuals who don’t have online access can call the appointment line for assistance: Northern CA (866) 454-8855 (TTY 711); Southern CA (833) 574-2273 (TTY 711).

Kaiser Medicare Advantage members call (800) 44 3-0815.

You can also call the 24/7 KP COVID InfoLine at (855) 550-0951 for regular recorded updates that are available in English and Spanish.

When you receive testing at Kaiser Permanente, you get:

Easy online scheduling – testing appointments can be scheduled 24/7 and are usually available within 1-2 days.
Convenient access to testing locations – testing is available at most Kaiser Permanente facilities.
Reliable and accurate test results – usually available within 48 hours, often quicker, depending on demand.
New test results automatically saved to medical record – care teams are notified and can follow-up with members as needed.