How much does COVID testing cost in Chico?

In many cases, COVID testing can be free. Many state and local health departments continue to offer free testing to community residents as part of their response to the pandemic. In other cases, commercially insured patients, or those on Medicare or Medicaid, may receive testing at no out of pocket cost, or with a nominal office visit copay. For cash paying patients, or those that need rapid COVID testing which will deliver results in under an hour, COVID tests can range from $50 to $150 each. It is best to call your healthcare provider prior to getting tested to better understand the cost of the specific test you require.

Where can I get free COVID testing in Chico?

COVID testing is available for free under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes testing for those without health insurance. Check with your Chico-area health department as they are generally a good source for free COVID tests, or can at least point you in the right direction. Additionally, you can ask your primary care provider to recommend a free COVID test site.

Where can I get COVID testing in Chico?

COVID testing is available at many outlets near Chico including urgent care centers, retail clinics, primary care offices, health departments, and more. Different venues will have different types of tests available, many at different price points. Some testing sites are allowing walk-in patients, however, many are still requiring some degree of advance booking to control patient volume.

Solv / COVID-19 Testing / California / COVID-19 PCR Testing /

COVID testing & Rapid testing near me in Chico, CA

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Ampla Health - Chico Medical, Pediatrics & Xpress Care

Open until 7:00 pm

Mon 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tue 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thu 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Fri 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

680 Cohasset Rd, Chico, CA 95926680 Cohasset Rd

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Chico VA Clinic

Open until 4:30 pm

Mon 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tue 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wed 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thu 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

1601 Concord Ave, Chico, CA 959281601 Concord Ave

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Ampla Health - Hamilton City Medical

Open until 5:00 pm

Mon 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

278 Main St, Hamilton City, CA 95951278 Main St

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Rite Aid Pharmacy

14115 Lakeridge Cir, Magalia, CA 9595414115 Lakeridge Cir

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Ampla Health - Magalia Medical

Open until 11:00 am

Mon 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Tue 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Wed 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Thu 8:00 am - 11:00 am
FriUnknown
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

14137 Lakeridge Cir, Magalia, CA 9595414137 Lakeridge Cir

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Ampla Health - Orland Medical & Dental

Open until 5:00 pm

Mon 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

1211 Cortina Dr, Orland, CA 959631211 Cortina Dr

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Dove's Landing Urgent Care

Open until 7:00 pm

Mon 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tue 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thu 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Fri 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

2450 Oro Dam Blvd E, Oroville, CA 959662450 Oro Dam Blvd E

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Ampla Health - Oroville Medical & Dental

Open until 5:00 pm

Mon 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tue 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Wed 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Thu 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Fri 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sat 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
SunUnknown

2800 Lincoln Blvd, Oroville, CA 959662800 Lincoln Blvd

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Ampla Health - Los Molinos Medical

Open until 11:00 am

Mon 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Tue 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Wed 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Thu 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Fri 8:00 am - 11:00 am
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

7981 CA-99, Los Molinos, CA 960557981 CA-99

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Ampla Health - Gridley Medical

Open until 7:00 pm

Mon 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
SatUnknown
SunUnknown

520 Kentucky St, Gridley, CA 95948520 Kentucky St

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Rite Aid Pharmacy

1583 CA-99, Gridley, CA 959481583 CA-99

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The staff was very friendly! The reason I cannot give 5 stars is because of the wait time. I know Chico Immediate Care is notorious for long wait times, but they have a new feature that allows patients to schedule appointments, which is really cool! The appointments can only be scheduled for same day, so I scheduled the earliest appointment I could (8:00a.m.) and arrived 10 minutes early, as requested. I waited over 30 minutes for a call to come in the building and once my vitals were taken it was another almost 40 minutes until a doctor came into to administer my rapid COVID test and almost another 40 minutes until they gave me my results. Granted, I could have left and they said they would call me with my results, but I was told it would only take 15-20 minutes to get my results so I decided to just wait it out. I was there for about 2 hours total. I try to be gracious when giving reviews because I know they are working hard but it just seems silly to schedule an appointment when that time isn’t really going to be honored anyway. Not to mention I heard a staff member in the hallway complaining about a patient being impatient...uhm, yeah. I understand why! It not as if they move people in and out of there very efficiently.

- Verified patient on 3/25

It took 2 1/2 hours to get a Covid test. I had an appointment and sat in my car for one hour. When I got into the exam room the test was taken, but I was told my lungs needed to be examined. I sat there for an hour and a half waiting. Finally I started to complain. Eventually someone told me I didn’t really need to get my lungs examination I could take my test results and go. I would just be charge for the long examination. It was a horrible experience of waiting for no reason whatsoever. I will tell everyone I know to avoid immediate care like the plague.

- Verified patient on 12/7

Very slow. I've had to wait two hours past my appointment time on 2 out of last 3 be visits. On one visit I just left because I was sick and couldn't just sit in my car any longer. I really don't want to have to come back but they are essentially the only provider for Covid test that takes my insurance.

- Verified patient on 10/29

Staff was awesome, wait times were extended because of influx of covid testing

- Verified patient on 10/28

Had a COVID test and was asked whether we would like to wait fir the results or receive a phone call in 20 minutes. After 2 hours and two messages and a live call that sent us to a voicemail again, we had to drive back to the clinic to get hopefully get our results. The live person said the results were ready, but she couldn’t give us the results only a medical assistant could, so we are diving back over to try to get our results.

- Verified patient on 8/7

Everyone was great and friendly. The wait was way to long for a covid test. They should go back to appts. I was there since 8:35am on Saturday morning. I waited 35min to get through on the phone to get registered. They informed me the wait was going to be about 2 hrs. Which I had no choice and wait. finally ready for my boys to be seen at 11:35am. I found out that the wait was extra long because some patients have to see a provider. We did get results in less than 30min. Just a very long wait. If they would go back to just doing covid tests I would return.

- Verified patient on 8/21

The professionalism and quality of the care met to my standard. Although, we only went for a rapid covid test, the doctor still asked about my daughters health and was concerned when I told him that she’s had a lingery cough for more than a month. We have been to Enloe Prompt care and they never seem to concerned like they were here. I really appreciated this. He gave me advice and prescribed cough medicine to help her at night. This is something I have been wanting for a long time and he heard my concerns. I look forward to bringing my medical concerns/business here for any future. We are a family of 4 and have two private insurances. I like how everyone was friendly to me and my children. The wait is awful, but this is what we experience anywhere with medical, so it seems to be the new “normal”.

- Verified patient on 10/10

I was early for my appointment. I waited 30 minutes to check in. I was given paper work to fill out that was already on line and told to wait in the car. The wait was 45 minutes. After getting to the exam room, I got the rapid COVID test but waited 30 more minutes for the results. All personnel were friendly and helpful.

- Verified patient on 10/9

We went to immediate care for the fist time to get a covid test. This process took 6 hours of wait time which is totally unacceptable. Their information gathering was too extensive for simple covid test. The online paperwork which was done in the parking lot was difficult due to poor WiFi service. I have had other covid test that was much more streamline!!! I am a nurse and my pulse ox was low and my pulse rate was high which was totally ignored by the tech that took my vitals. She should have tried to validate this reading but didn’t bother . I knew they probably were incorrect and rechecked them at home and they were normal. The people who were on the phone communicating with us in our car we’re very friendly and courteous. I will never go back to this facility.

- Verified patient on 9/17

Quick and easy Covid test. Much easier than I expected!

- Verified patient on 3/8

This was my first Covid test and I didn’t know what to expect. There was a bit of confusion on where you are supposed to go at the facility, but it was resolved quickly. There was a bit of a wait, as my appointment was for 10:35 but I was not called until 11:20. The procedure itself was quick and painless, the technician was very friendly. Overall a pleasant experience.

- Verified patient on 1/24

Waited 2 hours for a Covid test they didn’t have. They were rude. Waited on hold for 20 min two different times

- Verified patient on 8/11

We waited over an hour in the parking lot for a rapid Covid test even though we made an appointment. Making the appointment took more than 20 minutes on the phone, where I had to answer the same questions repeatedly. I completed the necessary forms online and uploaded the id cards, insurance card and payment cards but still had to answer many of the same questions when we were finally seen.

- Verified patient on 7/30

Four hour 22 minutes for "rapid" covid test.

- Verified patient on 8/25

The staff were very friendly. The facilities were sort of clean. It’s so old, hard to tell age vs dirt. The wait for the rapid COVID test was horrendous. They have to be able to streamline and fix the process. It was over a 4 hour wait for a 5 min visit.

- Verified patient on 8/30

I made an appointment for COVID testing today at 11:30. I was tested and left the facility at 12:50. I was told I would be called in an hour with the the results. I called at 3pm and was told my test was not yet resulted and was assured that I would get a call with the results soon. I called back at 4:10 and the clinic was closed. I attempted to log on Athna and quest’s patient portals for my results without success. It’s now 5:50 - over 6 hrs from the time I was tested - still no results. Don’t tell people the test takes an hour and will be immediately resulted when it’s not. Also you “wait music” says that there isn’t a vaccine for COVID and goes on to suggest getting a flu vaccine. Your staff were kind to me but fed me mis information throughout. Super frustrating.

- Verified patient on 7/19

I went online to make an appointment at about 12:45 and that entire afternoon was available. I picked the next appointment, which was at 1:15. I had to wait until 4:15 to get my swab, then wait another hour for the results. I honestly would not have minded the wait if I had been prepared. I am sick and went through a whole role of toilet paper blowing my nose because I didn't bring enough tissue to last the entire 4+ hrs I was there. I don't know why they were accepting appointments when they knew they were understaffed that day. Ill be going elsewhere if I need a covid test again. I'd rather wait a day or two for results than unexpectedly spend half my day stuck in one place. The staff were ultra friendly though, which is impressive because they were clearly swamped. I just wish the expectations of wait time were able to be clearly communicated.

- Verified patient on 11/19

I received a Covid test in a timely manner amd the results super fast. No complaints and will likely be back for same. Perhaps would be nice if those of us w appts for Covid tests could check in online so as to avoid standing in line (30 minutes today).

- Verified patient on 12/30

I needed a rapid COVID test, the process from start to finish was a breeze. All of the staff were super friendly!

- Verified patient on 2/24

I come here when unable to see my primary care Dr. I was here for Covid test, care was great but wait was not. I was here at 7 am and left at 9:45. Results were within the hour. Overall good visit

- Verified patient on 8/27

Chico COVID Testing & Rapid Testing

Types of COVID Tests

There are two types of coronavirus tests (COVID-19 tests) available, those that can test for a current infection (viral test) and those that can test for a past infection (antibody test).

Viral COVID testing can be done in a few different ways, the most common being nose swabs, but saliva tests are becoming more popular. Some tests are processed out on-site and can provide results in as little as 30 minutes. These are called rapid COVID tests. The majority of tests, on the other hand, are collected at the clinic on-site and then submitted to off-site labs for processing. Results can take up to 2-3 days to arrive.

Antibody testing looks for a past infection and may not reveal if you have an active COVID-19 infection because antibodies can take up to three weeks to form in your body. The presence of COVID antibodies may help to prevent you from becoming infected with the same virus again; but, because the clinical understanding of COVID-19 is still developing, it's unclear how long that protection will continue.

Who should get tested for current infection

The CDC currently defines four instances where COVID testing is recommended:

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
If you have been in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19. Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. If you have been vaccinated, or tested positive in the past 3 months and not experiencing symptoms, you do not need to be tested.
If you are unvaccinated and participated in high-risk activities where distancing is not an option. This could include travel, large social or mass gatherings, crowded indoor settings, etc.
If you have been referred to get a COVID test by your healthcare provider or local health department.

How is testing done for COVID-19?

Most COVID tests are collected by a nasal swab. A member of the medical team puts a swab inside your nose for a few seconds on each side to collect the sample. After that, the samples are packaged according to CDC guidelines and tested on-site or transported to a facility for testing. The lab will test samples for the presence of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID infection and either your care provider or the lab will notify you with the results as soon as they are available.

PCR vs Antigen Testing

Viral COVID tests are available as molecular and antigen tests. The molecular test, also known as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, usually delivers results within a few days since most of these tests are sent to offsite labs for analysis. The average turnaround time for PCR test results is 48 hours, but in some instances may be significantly longer due to backlogs related to insufficient lab volume and capacity. Antigen tests are also known as rapid tests and have an average turnaround time of between 15 to 30 minutes.

Both PCR and rapid COVID tests can be used to test people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, those who were close contacts to COVID-19, and those without COVID-19 symptoms who live or work in a high-risk setting (such as a nursing facility); or those individuals who are identified as part of outbreak detection and response. The rapid COVID test is also recommended for the screening of residents or healthcare workers at skilled nursing facilities along with a PCR confirmation, and for repeat screening for the early detection and prevention of outbreaks in congregate settings (such as schools, workplaces, and prisons).

COVID testing is available for free under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes testing for those without health insurance. To reduce the risk of facing extra costs related to COVID testing, ask your primary care doctor to recommend a free COVID test site, and confirm there are no charges or fees for the test that are not covered by your insurance plan. Additionally, avoid getting a COVID test at a hospital or free-standing emergency room, as these facilities may charge fees for COVID testing and related services.

COVID-19 Testing FAQs

How much does COVID testing cost in Chico?
In many cases, COVID testing can be free. Many state and local health departments continue to offer free testing to community residents as part of their response to the pandemic. In other cases, commercially insured patients, or those on Medicare or Medicaid, may receive testing at no out of pocket cost, or with a nominal office visit copay. For cash paying patients, or those that need rapid COVID testing which will deliver results in under an hour, COVID tests can range from $50 to $150 each. It is best to call your healthcare provider prior to getting tested to better understand the cost of the specific test you require.
Where can I get free COVID testing in Chico?
COVID testing is available for free under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes testing for those without health insurance. Check with your Chico-area health department as they are generally a good source for free COVID tests, or can at least point you in the right direction. Additionally, you can ask your primary care provider to recommend a free COVID test site.
Where can I get COVID testing in Chico?
COVID testing is available at many outlets near Chico including urgent care centers, retail clinics, primary care offices, health departments, and more. Different venues will have different types of tests available, many at different price points. Some testing sites are allowing walk-in patients, however, many are still requiring some degree of advance booking to control patient volume.
Where can I get a rapid COVID test in Chico?

Rapid testing—both PCR (molecular) and antigen tests—is offered through many Chico-area urgent care centers and physician offices, usually at an additional cost ranging from $50 up to $150 per test. Usually this will allow you to get results back in under an hour, and require advanced booking through the provider. However, if you can wait 24 hours for your results, many labs are turning around send-out lab tests in that time frame, which could save you some money.
How to make an appointment for COVID testing in Chico?
Same-day and next day appointments for COVID testing in Chico are bookable directly through Solv. Simply browse the list of healthcare providers conducting COVID tests above, find one with a “Book Online” button, and book a time that aligns with your schedule stating “COVID-19 Test” as your reason for visit.
Can I get tested for antibodies if I am sick with COVID-19 Chico?

An antibody test for COVID-19 might inform you if you previously had a coronavirus infection. Because it can take between 1–3 weeks after an infection for your body to develop these antibodies, an antibody test during an active infection would not be successful. To see if you are currently infected, you need a viral test.
Do I need a COVID test if I have been vaccinated?
Even if you have been fully vaccinated, if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, experts believe that you should be tested yourself, particularly if you are experiencing cold and flu symptoms commonly aligned with the coronavirus.
How long does COVID testing take?
Getting a COVID test is quick. Most tests are done with a nasal swab, which takes less than a minute to swab both nostrils. Depending on where you get your COVID test, this means you could be in and out of the testing site in as little as 10-15 minutes. During busy times—particularly around holidays—testing sites may be busier than usual and wait times may be longer.
How long does it take to get COVID test results in Chico?

Most labs are returning send-out molecular (PCR) COVID test results within 24-48 hours of the test. Some sites take longer, so call and ask if the reason for the test is proof for travel. Rapid COVID tests are processed on-site and are able to deliver results in under an hour, sometimes in as little as 15 min.
Do COVID tests detect the Delta variant and Omicron variant?
Regular COVID tests are able to detect both the Delta variant and Omicron variant in that they can determine whether or not you have the coronavirus. However, they can't tell which variation is involved. That would necessitate genomic sequencing, which is a different process from regular virus testing that not all labs can undertake. Sequencing is uncommon and can cost up to $100 per test. Since the treatment is the same for any variant, it is not clinically useful to an individual patient to know whether the infection was caused by a variant or not.