News

COVID-19 PCR Test and IgG Antibody Test for CCP Patients

Community Care Physicians offers our patients the COVID-19 test to determine if you have COVID-19 infection currently and the IgG Antibody Test which may indicate if you've had COVID-19 in the past and have since developed antibodies.

COVID-19 PCR Test and IgG Antibody Test for CCP Patients

Community Care Physicians offers our patients two different types of COVID-19 tests: The NAA diagnostic COVID-19 Test (including the rapid test), which determines if you currently have COVID-19 infection, and the IgG Antibody Test, may indicate if you’ve had COVID-19 in the past and have since developed antibodies. The COVID-19 NAA test is available by appointment only at our testing location in Latham, NY and also at many of our primary care locations, if you are a patient of the office. If you are a patient of CCP, contact your doctor’s office if you think you need to be tested. Urgent Care in Latham also offers COVID testing on a walk-in basis if it is determined in your Urgent Care appointment that testing is clinically warranted. The IgG Antibody Test is performed in CCP’s offices, just like a regular lab test, for patients of the practice.

 

COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing at Community Care Physicians – to determine if you currently have COVID-19 

You must be a CCP patient to be tested and you must have an order and an appointment. If you are a CCP patient, contact your CCP doctor’s office and they can determine if you need testing.

Your practitioner will place an order for the test and then you can schedule your appointment to be tested at our centralized testing locations. Urgent Care Latham also provides COVID-19 testing. If you are not a CCP patient,  please see the instructions below regarding Urgent Care to establish as a patient with CCP for testing. CCP collects specimens to be sent to our LabCorp and Quest partners for COVID-19 testing and also performs rapid COVID-19 testing for patients who qualify for this test (your CCP practitioner will determine this). Testing will comply with CDC guidance and will be based on supply availability. Our testing locations have enhanced cleaning procedures between patients and at the end of each day.

Once you have an order from your CCP practitioner:

  • Call the Testing Centers scheduler at 518-836-3660 Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm to schedule your appointment for COVID-19 testing at any of our locations. You will not be tested without an appointment. If you leave a message, please allow 24 hours for a scheduler to call you back.
  • Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will receive a text/email reminder for the date and time of your appointment. You will also receive instructions we ask you please follow:
    • Remain in your car upon arrival to the testing location. 
    • Text/call the number provided via text/email or printed on the signs at the testing center once you arrive.
    • You will be told when you can enter the testing location for your test. 
    • Please bring your photo ID and wear a face covering.
    • Visitors are limited unless the patient is a minor or requires assistance. 

 

Latham, NY – Capital Region Health Park, 713 Troy-Schenectady Road in the back of the building

Monday through Friday from 7:45am-3:40pm 

The testing center is located near the loading dock around the back of the building. The testing center has an exterior, dedicated entrance. Patients should look for signs that say Community Care Testing Center. You do not need to enter the main Health Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you need testing and you are not currently a CCP patient – you can visit CCP’s Urgent Care Center in Latham, NY as a portal of entry into our system.

Anyone can walk in to be seen at CCP’s Urgent Care Center in Latham, NY which follows CCP’s infection control procedures and sees patients with respiratory symptoms, in addition to offering other Urgent Care services. The Urgent Care practitioners will evaluate you and determine if any testing is required, including flu, strep, and COVID-19 testing.

Latham, NY Urgent Care – 711 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 102, Latham, NY Monday-Friday 9am-11:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-7:30pm.

 

Testing for IgG Antibody to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

How to Get the Test – This test is available at CCP’s locations and CCP LabCare Draw Stations just like other lab tests. You must be a CCP patient and have an order from a CCP practitioner for the test. If you are a CCP patient, contact your doctor’s office and they will advise you further. If you are not a CCP patient, you can use CCP’s Urgent Care Centers in Albany, NY and Latham, NY as portals of entry into our system to be tested.

What is SARS-CoV-2?

SARS-CoV-2 is the technical name for the virus that causes COVID-19.

What is an antibody?

Antibodies are proteins that the body manufactures in response to, among other things, infections. Antibodies attach to pathogens (like viruses) and help the body identify and destroy them. It takes days to weeks for the body to develop antibodies in response to an infection. Once antibodies develop they MAY make a person immune to another infection with the SAME pathogen.

What is the SARS –CoV-2 IgG Antibody test?

This test measures a particular class of antibody (IgG) directed against the COVID-19 virus. It is usually detectable 2 or more weeks after the start of the infection. The test result may be POSITIVE or NEGATIVE.

What does the test mean?

A POSITIVE test means that you have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and that your body has had time to manufacture an “anti-COVID-19” antibody. A NEGATIVE test means that there is no evidence of a prior exposure OR that your body has not had time to manufacture an “anti-COVID-19” antibody.

What DOESN’T the test mean?

The test does not mean that you are not currently infected or infectious. This test does not measure the presence of the virus. People can shed virus both before and after antibodies develop.  Directives from the Department of Health and from your physician regarding quarantine, isolation and/or return to work are not changed by the result of this test.

The test does not mean that you are immune to infection or re-infection with SARS-CoV-2. We think that people who recover from COVID-19 and who have IgG antibodies have some degree of immunity but we do not know how much or how long it may last. Regardless of the test result you must continue to follow Department of Health recommendations regarding hand washing, social distancing and masking.

To get COVID-19 antibody testing, call your CCP doctor’s office to determine if you should be tested. Antibody testing is covered by some insurances. If your insurance doesn’t cover the lab test, the cost to you will be $70 for the test. If you have Medicare only as an insurance (no secondary insurance and not Medicare Advantage), please talk to your doctor about options for testing.

Patient Handout for COVID-19 IgG Antibody Testing

Patient Waiver for COVID-19 IgG Antibody Testing

 

All News