COVID-19 Rapid Testing Information | GS Labs

Professional Testings Vs. At-Home Testing

Professional Testing Vs. At-Home Testing:

At-home testing has been increasingly prominent throughout the US and the struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. With COVID-19 surges and extended lines at testing facilities, at-home testing options began to look more suitable for many. That being said, are all COVID-19 tests equal?

GS Labs & At-Home COVID-19 Tests Compared:

Exploring the differences between Professionally Administered COVID-19 Tests and At-Home Testing.



Are tests readily available?	Tests in stock with results in as little as 20 minutes.	Supplies and Availability are generally limited.
Who does the testing?	Sample collected by medical professionals, including registered nurses.	Self-collected swabs are less sensitive than samples collected by healthcare professionals.* *Source: www.bit.ly/self-collected
Are Quality Control measures taken?	Quality control measures performed by professional lab techs, in temperature controlled settings.	Quality controls often not provided. Test quality subject to severe weather conditions when delivered to home.
Who interprets the results?	Test results read by trained lab technician.	Tests results may be subjective.
Is it conducted by trained medical staff?	Staff has been trained on testing and does not have to read the manual each time.	A person generally needs to do homework to perform test accurately.
Is it suitable for Work, School, Events, Restaurants & Travel?	GS Labs tests are generally accepted for these items and results are conveniently available through e-mail/smart phone with a CLIA registered laboratory number on the result page. Standard PCR results also contain a QR code.	At-home Tests are generally not accepted at these places and results have none of the requirements for proof of testing, including date or verification. Do you want to carry your negative at-home test around with you anyways?
How accurate is it?	Indicaid Rapid Antigen For symptomatic patients: Sensitivity (PPA): 85.3%* *Specificity (NPA): 94.9%* For those without symptoms: Sensitivity (PPA): 84.2%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.9%* *Source: www.bit.ly/indicaid-study	BinaxNOW For symptomatic patients: Sensitivity (PPA): 64.2%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.9%* For those without symptoms: Sensitivity (PPA): 35.8%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.8%* *Source: www.bit.ly/binax-study
How much does it cost?	No up front cost to patients with valid health insurance information for Rapid Antigen and Standard PCR tests. GS labs accepts most insurance providers**.	Typically requires an upfront cost. Some tests may be eligible to submit to insurances for reimbursement but only after the initial purchase.

Are tests readily available?
GS Labs	Tests in stock with results in as little as 20 minutes.
At-Home Testing	Supplies and Availability are generally limited.
Who does the testing?
GS Labs	Sample collected by medical professionals, including registered nurses.
At-Home Testing	Self-collected swabs are less sensitive than samples collected by healthcare professionals.* *Source: www.bit.ly/self-collected
Are Quality Control measures taken?
GS Labs	Quality control measures performed by professional lab techs, in temperature controlled settings.
At-Home Testing	Quality controls often not provided. Test quality subject to severe weather conditions when delivered to home.
Who interprets the results?
GS Labs	Test results read by trained lab technician.
At-Home Testing	Tests results may be subjective.
Is it conducted by trained medical staff?
GS Labs	Staff has been trained on testing and does not have to read the manual each time.
At-Home Testing	A person generally needs to do homework to perform test accurately.
Is it suitable for Work, School, Events, Restaurants & Travel?
GS Labs	GS Labs tests are generally accepted for these items and results are conveniently available through e-mail/smart phone with a CLIA registered laboratory number on the result page. Standard PCR results also contain a QR code.
At-Home Testing	At-home Tests are generally not accepted at these places and results have none of the requirements for proof of testing, including date or verification. Do you want to carry your negative at-home test around with you anyways?
How accurate is it?
GS Labs	Indicaid Rapid Antigen For symptomatic patients: Sensitivity (PPA): 85.3%* *Specificity (NPA): 94.9%* For those without symptoms: Sensitivity (PPA): 84.2%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.9%* *Source: www.bit.ly/indicaid-study
At-Home Testing	BinaxNOW For symptomatic patients: Sensitivity (PPA): 64.2%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.9%* For those without symptoms: Sensitivity (PPA): 35.8%* *Specificity (NPA): 99.8%* *Source: www.bit.ly/binax-study
How much does it cost?
GS Labs	No up front cost to patients with valid health insurance information for Rapid Antigen and Standard PCR tests. GS labs accepts most insurance providers**.
At-Home Testing	Typically requires an upfront cost. Some tests may be eligible to submit to insurances for reimbursement but only after the initial purchase.

*Both sensitivity and specificity describe the overall accuracy of the test. Sensitivity tells us how often the test result is positive if the person really has COVID19. Specifity tells us the chances of getting a negative test result if the person does not have COVID19.

**Please visit our Pricing Transparency page for more information on insurance billing. Note that GS Labs does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and some other providers currently. Our premium services (Rapid PCR/LAMP (NAAT) and Rapid Antigen + Flu A/B) are offered at an Out of Pocket rate only.

Services GS Labs Provides:

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

COVID-19 PCR Test

COVID-19 Rapid PCR (NAAT) or LAMP (NAAT) Test

Covid-19/Flu A&B Rapid Antigen (EUA) Test

COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Test

This test detects two different types of antibodies (IgM and IgG) that may develop in most patients after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The IgM/IgG test identifies whether a person has developed antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and can do so as soon as 48 hours after exposure. For the IgM/IgG test, GS Labs is using the CoronaCHEK Antibody IgM/IgG Rapid Test Device. At this time, it’s unknown how much protection antibodies might provide against reinfection.

Test Purpose: Used to detect a past or recent infection.
Sample Type: Blood sample via finger prick
Results Time: 20 Minutes* (Wait times may vary depending on volume)

At-Home Testing ALERTS

Empowered Diagnostics Recalls COVID-19 Tests due to Risk of False Results

Learn More

Stop Using LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 Tests: FDA Safety Communication

Learn More