Are PCR tests really $250?!

[spleenstomper]

A friend just told me her PCR was $250!!? Can anyone verify this? Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

Some might be. Bet you could find cheaper.

[Florida_gal_50]

3 minutes ago, spleenstomper said:

A friend just told me her PCR was $250!!? Can anyone verify this? Thanks

Yup I paid around that earlier this year but it was for my piece of mind before I went on a cruise.  Why do you need a pcr?  I didn’t.  I just needed antigen at that time.  Pretty soon you’ll be able to get a crayon out and colour it and hal will accept it (partly joking).

[spleenstomper]

21 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Yup I paid around that earlier this year but it was for my piece of mind before I went on a cruise.  Why do you need a pcr?  I didn’t.  I just needed antigen at that time.  Pretty soon you’ll be able to get a crayon out and colour it and hal will accept it (partly joking).

Thank to you both. I just assumed I would do the PCR at 72 hours out and it would be easier. 
 

I guess I’m doing the proctored antigen test lol. 

Edited September 3, 2022 by spleenstomper

[Florida_gal_50]

13 minutes ago, spleenstomper said:

Thank to you both. I just assumed I would do the PCR at 72 hours out and it would be easier. 
 

I guess I’m doing the proctored antigen test lol. 

It’s certainly cheaper.  That said sometimes convenience trumps cost at least for me but it comes at a price.

[CruiserBruce]

You want to do an antigen test. PCR tests can detect "residue" of a Covid infection for up to 90 days after the infection. Antigen is generally only for current active/actual infections. Yes, antigen can stay positive for awhile after an infection, but no where near the degree a PCR can.

 

Plus antigen is usually cheaper and faster results.

[spleenstomper]

2 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

You want to do an antigen test. PCR tests can detect "residue" of a Covid infection for up to 90 days after the infection. Antigen is generally only for current active/actual infections. Yes, antigen can stay positive for awhile after an infection, but no where near the degree a PCR can.

 

Plus antigen is usually cheaper and faster results.

Luckily, I’ve never had it. I do understand there are asymptomatic positives so yes, antigen will likely be better. I agree.