Schedule Asymptomatic COVID testing Telemedicine Appointment Monoclonal Antibody Infusions
LATEST COVID-19 NEWS:
9/20/21: Due to changes in the federal and state processes for monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments, high risk patients with positive COVID-19 test results will be given priority for infusions. A copy of the patient’s positive test results will be required—home tests not accepted. High risk patients who were exposed to COVID-19 but have not tested positive will be approved for mAb infusions on a very limited basis and will require a letter from their doctor along with the latest office notes indicating diagnoses (this does not guarantee approval). Find alternative infusion site options here.
8/26/21: Some insurance companies are reintroducing cost share/co-pays under the umbrella that COVID is preventable. Please check with your insurance before undergoing monoclonal antibody treatment to see if your policy fully covers the cost of this procedure. Insurance may or may not cover co-pays or cost share based on your own individual policy coverage. MUC will bill you for any portion not covered by insurance.
8/09/21: The FDA has authorized monoclonal antibody therapy for emergency use prevention in some individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19, even if they are not showing symptoms. Those who may qualify for this treatment include:
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated
- Individuals who have immunocompromising conditions, including those taking immunosuppressive medications
- Individuals who have either been exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk of exposure due to where they live or work
Please note that prevention against COVID-19 with monoclonal antibody therapy is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19 and is not authorized for pre-exposure prevention.
08/02/21: Mercy Urgent Care will no longer offer the BD antigen test for COVID-19.
05/11/21: Mercy Urgent Care has 2 options for COVID 19 screening for travelers:
- The ID NOW COVID-19 test is a rapid, molecular point-of-care test that detects COVID-19, (Same day results)
- LabCorp’s COVID-19 RT-PCR Test. Results in approximately 48-72 hours. (longer times over weekend)
You will need to check with your Airline or the state or country you are traveling to, to see if these tests are acceptable.
04/29/21: Mercy Care will begin offering monoclonal antibody infusions as treatment for high-risk COVID-19 patients on Monday, May 3. Patients may request or receive a referral for the treatment, to be administered at Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville, from their regular health care providers.
Learn more about monoclonal antibody infusions
01/10/21:A virtual visit is necessary for COVID-19 testing, whether you have symptoms or not. There are costs associated with testing. Please note that some insurance will not cover testing for travel purposes/and or the cost of the appointment. Please click here for pricing information.
12/2/20 Updated quarantine guidelines: For an individual with a close contact/ known exposure to COVID-19 (has been within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes in 24 hours or longer with someone known to have COVID-19) the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine “as the best way to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.” However, in some cases the quarantine can end after 10 days if the person has not developed any symptoms and can end after just seven days if the asymptomatic person also tests negative for the virus, on a test collected within 48 hours of the final day of quarantine.
NC State recommendations on who should be tested for COVID-19
- Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic close contacts of known positive cases (the ideal time for asymptomatic close contacts to get tested is 5-7 days after last exposure to the case)
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in the following populations who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19:
- People who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long term care facilities, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
- Historically marginalized populations (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
- Frontline and essential workers in settings where social distancing is difficult (e.g., those who work in restaurants, grocery stores, child care facilities, construction sites, processing plants, etc.)
- Healthcare workers or first responders (e.g., EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
- People who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over the age of 65 and people of any age with underlying health conditions)
- People who attended protests, rallies, or other mass gatherings where social distancing was difficult to maintain
COVID-19 Testing through Mercy Urgent Care
A telemedicine health consultation is required to assess symptoms and need for testing prior to clinic visit. Schedule a virtual visit at location you will receive testing. COVID-19 testing must be done within 72 hours of virtual consultation or a new telemedicine provider visit will be required.
To help increase testing in our community and help our business partners with decision making regarding employees, we have the following tests available (Self-pay costs for consultation plus one test is $249; for consultation plus two tests is $299. Pricing information).
- Abbott ID NOW molecular rapid test, nasal swab (Same day results) Abbott ID NOW rapid test fact sheet
- LabCorp Molecular PCR send out test, nasal swab (results in 1-3 days) PCR send out test fact sheet
- Antibody blood test (results in 1-3 days) Antibody blood test information sheet
The Abbott ID NOW tests results are considered a preliminary screening only, and are most accurate when patients have been symptomatic. Confirmatory testing via LabCorp Molecular PCR testing is recommended in most cases to confirm results.
For an individual with a close contact/ known exposure to COVID-19 (has been within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes in 24 hours or longer with someone known to have COVID-19) the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine “as the best way to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.” However, in some cases the quarantine can end after 10 days if the person has not developed any symptoms and can end after just seven days if the asymptomatic person also tests negative for the virus, on a test collected within 48 hours of the final day of quarantine.
State and CDC guidelines for isolation should be followed until results of confirmatory testing can guide return to work, school and activities outside your home.
Depending on location and supplies, rapid testing may be either the Abbott ID NOW or the BD Veritor test.
Due to demand and limited supplies, some centers may not have rapid tests available until another shipment is received.
If you are waiting on results from your COVID-19 testing, click here for information on how to access results through the LabCorp Patient App or 800 number.
Mercy Urgent Care is still seeing patients for other illness, injury and work-related testing or exams. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call your Mercy Urgent Care location for instructions. (Click here for more information about regular urgent care visits and new, safe patient procedures.)
We appreciate your patience as we work to bring you the best care possible during these trying times.
Additional resources:
- Statewide North Carolina COVID-19 Triage Plus Line: 877-490-6642 (7 a.m.-11 p.m. all week)
- For Buncombe County and Asheville-specific questions about COVID-19 concerns (including the Stay Home, Stay Safe Declaration), call the Ready Team at 828-419-0095 or email ready@buncombecounty.org.
- Buncombe County Health Department Symptom Checker
Prevention Information
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
- Practice social distancing (6 feet separation between people)
- Wear a cloth face cover in public places
