COVID-19 Information
LATEST COVID-19 NEWS
07/25/22: The current PCR test lead time is 3 days. At this time, Mercy Urgent Care does not offer rapid PCR tests—the only rapid tests offered are for detecting antigens.
01/04/22: Mercy Urgent Care is pleased to now offer therapeutic treatments for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults ages 18 and over with positive COVID-19 test results. Some of the treatments available include Merck’s oral antiviral treatment Molnupiravir—a five-day treatment course for patients who are at high risk for severe progression, including hospitalization or death, and within five days of symptom onset. Learn more about therapeutic treatments.
12/27/21 Updated quarantine guidelines: Anyone who tests positive needs to isolate from others for five days. Individuals with no symptoms, or whose symptoms have resolved, can leave the house but should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. Vaccinated individuals 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) who are asymptomatic do not need to isolate, but should wear a mask around others for ten days, test on day five from exposure, and immediately quarantine if begin to show symptoms. Unvaccinated individuals with a close contact/ known exposure to COVID-19 who are asymptomatic should isolate for five days, wear a mask around others for the next five days, test on day five from exposure. If one begins to show symptoms, immediately quarantine and get tested. Quarantine guidelines in easy-to-follow chart format.
11/22/21: Mercy Urgent Care now offers cash payment travel and asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. The provider-free testing begins at $90 for rapid antigen tests. If patient tests positive, virtual visit will be required to provide COVID-19 treatment plan. Schedule an appointment here. Please note: The rapid test is Antigen not PCR. As of July 2022, the PCR test lead time is 3 days.
Can health insurance be used?
Per insurance policy, a visit is required and can be scheduled online at your nearest location. Standard insurance copays and deductibles apply. Some insurance companies may not cover these charges in which case the individual is responsible for the balance.
Why is testing not free?
At this time Mercy Urgent Care pays for the tests and equipment, and does not receive funding to subsidize testing.
How long does it take to get results?
Rapid antigen tests can be run in 30 min and same day results provided. PCR tests are sent out to a lab for screening, results are typically available in 1-2 days, but tests collected on the weekend or around holidays may take longer. Please note: The rapid test is Antigen not PCR. As of July 2022, the PCR test lead time is 3 days.
Pricing Information
• Rapid Test without virtual visit = $90. If test is positive, add virtual visit = $189.
• PCR test without virtual visit = $199. If test is positive, add virtual visit = $249.
• Rapid test + PCR (sent to lab) without virtual visit = $249. If test is positive, add virtual visit = $249 (no additional cost).
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).
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.
COVID-19 testing falls into two categories:
Diagnostic—used for treatment. Patients are symptomatic or asymptotic but have been exposed.
Screening—used for administrative purposed. Patients are asymptomatic and have not been exposed. IE testing for travel purposes.
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relieve, and Economic Security Act (CARES), Insurance plans must cover diagnostic testing without cost-sharing—cost sharing being the amount assigned to patient responsibility; it includes deductibles, copays and co-insurance—but do not have to cover screenings. They also are not required to cover antibody testing, which is used to determine whether a patient has a history of COVID-19 rather than the active virus.
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 therapeutical treatments 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.
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 and other therapeutic treatments.
COVID-19 Testing through Mercy Urgent Care
Mercy Urgent Care offers COVID-19 testing at all eight locations. A virtual visit is not required prior to testing, but if you test positive you will need to schedule a visit with a provider. 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.
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 rapid antigen test is $189; for consultation plus two tests is $249. 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.
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
Insurance Coverage for COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing falls into two categories:
Diagnostic—used for treatment. Patients are symptomatic or asymptotic but have been exposed.
Screening—used for administrative purposed. Patients are asymptomatic and have not been exposed. IE testing for travel purposes.
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relieve, and Economic Security Act (CARES), Insurance plans must cover diagnostic testing without cost-sharing—cost sharing being the amount assigned to patient responsibility; it includes deductibles, copays and co-insurance—but do not have to cover screenings. They also are not required to cover antibody testing, which is used to determine whether a patient has a history of COVID-19 rather than the active virus.
NC State recommendations on who should be tested for COVID-19
- Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
- Symptomatic close contacts of known positive cases (the ideal time for asymptomatic close contacts to get tested is 5 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
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
