Adventist health-care network is covering the testing costs of those uninsured.
In an effort to increase availability of COVID-19 testing in Florida, AdventHealth offered hundreds of drive-up tests at the Daytona International Speedway starting on April 10, 2020. The effort has been led by the health care system and AdventHealth Centra Care.
The tests are available to anyone who meets the criteria for testing as set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A doctor’s order is not required for testing.
“Making tests available is one of the most important things we can do to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe,” said Scott Brady, president and CEO of AdventHealth Centra Care. “We’re asking people to stay home and practice social distancing, so bringing testing closer to where they live is essential.”
Initiative coordinators said that those who are symptomatic and wish to be tested should visit the registration site prior to arrival. They will be asked to enter their contact and insurance information and will be assigned a time to be tested. There are no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth covers the cost of those who are uninsured. The test consists of coughing and spitting into a cup.
The site remains open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or as long as testing supplies are available. Results can be expected in approximately two to three days. Those tested will receive a text message with instructions on how to retrieve the results, initiative coordinators said. Those who test positive will receive a call from a nurse to review the results.
“Our leaders have worked tirelessly to obtain this amount of testing, which is critical to the success of defeating COVID-19,” said David Ottati, CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division — North Region. “We are thankful to be part of a national health-care system, and thankful to Volusia County for all of their efforts to partner with us and bring this service to the public.”
AdventHealth leaders said they are evaluating additional locations in other communities and hope to further expand testing locations.
Separately, AdventHealth continues to test patients in hospitals and Centra Care locations across Florida. The acquisition of three specialized testing devices allows AdventHealth to alleviate the testing burden from public agencies while also providing patients and physicians expanded access to the test.
The original version of this story was posted on the AdventHealth news site.
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