COVID-19 Testing
Page Last reviewed: February 6, 2023 3:40 p.m.
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Even if you are fully vaccinated, take a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms or a known exposure. As with vaccines available for other diseases, the COVID-19 vaccine does not have a 100% protection rate meaning fully vaccinated people can still get COVID-19.
Reminder: Do not go to the Emergency Room (ER) to receive a COVID-19 test or for mild symptoms. Whatcom County has one hospital, and its Emergency Department needs to keep its focus on serving those with urgent or life-threatening injuries/illnesses that require critical care. Speak with your doctor regarding COVID-19 testing or mild symptoms. You can find testing locations on this page.
Symptomatic or Close Contact Testing
Test as soon as possible if you are having COVID-19 symptoms or may be a close contact of someone who is sick. You can make an appointment at any testing site in Whatcom County.
If you are unable to schedule a PCR test (lab test) or do not have a rapid, at-home test, please follow current isolation/quarantine guidance.
Travel Testing
If you need to make an appointment for a travel-related test in Whatcom County, you can make an appointment at a testing location that offers travel testing.
Check your travel destination for what you need to know about testing. Some locations have specific requirements about where and when you get tested. Travel requirements for Canada are here.
Most insurance plans will not cover testing for the purposes of travel. Prior to travel testing, check with your insurance to find out if they will cover the cost of the test.
How to Get Tested
If you have health insurance and a healthcare provider: Your healthcare provider can give you a testing referral.
If you have insurance but do not have a regular healthcare provider: Work with your insurance company to find a healthcare provider that accepts your insurance. If you need a test prior to establishing a provider, there are testing locations within Whatcom County where you can schedule an appointment, or walk-in if they accept walk-in appointments.
If you do not have insurance or a regular healthcare provider: All uninsured Washington residents can see if they qualify for special enrollment in the Washington Health Benefits Exchange, or Apple Health. You can visit the Health Benefits Exchange website or call 1-855-923-4633 (TTY: 1-855-627-9604) for more information.
The process to get health insurance takes time and the testing window might pass before the process is complete. If you have a pending insurance application, you may need to pay for testing. Testing locations might list pricing online or you may call the facility and ask about testing.
Testing Cost
Most health insurance will cover COVID-19 testing that is not travel-related. Health plans regulated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner must cover testing and related visits. You can check with your health insurance plan to see about out-of-pocket payments associated with COVID-19.
Some testing locations might not accept insurance and require self-pay. Check with your health insurance provider to see what you need to do to get coverage for a service paid out of pocket.
If you are uninsured, you will need to pay for the test. Please call your COVID-19 testing location to get pricing information. Some locations might post their pricing online.
Whatcom County Testing Locations
Many health care providers in Whatcom County offer testing, including rapid antigen tests suitable for crossing the Canadian border. The table below list health care providers who currently test for COVID-19 and who have agreed to be on our list. This information is subject to change and may not be a complete list.
If you are a health care provider or provide laboratory services and would like your organization added to this website, please contact us at [email protected]
| Clinic/Facility | Who Can Get Tested Here? | Do I need an Appointment? | Phone & Website | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Lab Test Now (1225 E. Sunset Dr, suite 155, Bellingham) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay only) | Walk-ins welcome (Monday - Friday 9.a.m - 5 p.m.) Appointments can be scheduled. | 360-684-1800 | Performs PCR rapid antigen tests. |
| ARCpoint Labs (4220 Meridian St, Suite 101A, Bellingham) | Anyone (Medicare/Medicaid not accepted). | Call-in or online registration is preferred. | 360-922-0275 Website | Performs PCR tests suitable for travel. Out-of-pocket costs associated with test. PCR same day (depending on inventory), 2 hour (depending on inventory), or 24-36 hour result options. Performs insurance covered rapid antigen tests suitable for travel. |
| Care Medical Group | Anyone (insurances accepted) | No, walk-ins only. | 360-734-4300 ext. 6 Website | Call from outside the building if experiencing symptoms. |
| Family Care Network (Bellingham, Lynden Locations) | Established FNC patients should call their provider. Non-FCN patients can access urgent care on-demand telemedicine visits. | Yes | Bellingham urgent care 360-671-4509 Lynden Urgent Care 360-354-4567 Main Website | Call ahead to describe symptoms or use FCN's on-demand telemedicine service. If FCN orders a COVID-19 test, you may be referred to the NW Labs Drive-through for testing. |
| Ferndale Pharmacy (2057 Alder St, Ferndale) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay testing). | Walk-in, register onsite via phone. | 360-325-4310 Website | Performs PCR testing. Results ready in 45 minutes. Performs Rapid antigen testing suitable for travel.. Results accepted for Canadian travel. |
| Hoagland Pharmacy (2330 Yew St, Bellingham) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, schedule online only. | Website | Performs PCR and rapid antigen testing. |
| Lummi Tribal Health Center | Established patients. | Yes. Same day appointment available. | 360-383-8251 Website | |
| Nooksack Health Center | Nooksack Indian Tribe and eligible members of federally recognized Tribes. | Yes, same day appointments available. | 360-966-2106 Website | Providers may order test as part of a patient's regular clinic visit. |
| Nooksack Valley Drug (208 E. Main St, Everson) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, schedule online only. Antigen scheduling PCR scheduling | 360-966-3481 Website | Performs rapid PCR tests. Performs rapid antigen tests suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Costs: see website for cost and eligibility information. Free tests are available for people with symptoms, exposure or required testing for medical procedures. |
| Avero Diagnostics (Previously Northwest Laboratory/NW Labs) | Anyone with a referral for COVID-19 testing from their healthcare provider. | Yes, can schedule online or by phone. | 360-527-4592 Website | Testing can be scheduled by phone Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm and Sunday 8am-2pm. Canadian Testing FAQ |
| Rite Aid | Ages 4+ | Yes, online scheduling only. | Website | COVID-19 testing is only offered at drive-through locations: Blaine, Lynden, Ferndale and Bellingham (Telegraph and Northwest locations only). Tests self-administered with supervision if requested. |
| RX Mart Pharmacy (300 East Sunset Dr, Bellingham) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing only) | Yes, Online scheduling preferred. | 360-933-1401 Website | Performs PCR testing. Result ready in 45 to 60 minutes. Performs rapid antigen testing suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. |
| Sea Mar Community Health Center (Bellingham and Everson locations) | Established Sea Mar patients | Yes. Established Sea Mar patients should call their provider to schedule an appointment. | Bellingham 360-671-3225 Website Everson 360-354-0766 Website | |
| Sumas Drug (1143 Cherry St, Sumas) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing) | Yes, online scheduling only (Contact pharmacy if scheduling assistance required). | 360-988-2681 Website | Performs PCR testing. Receipt provided for submitting to insurance for billing. Performs curbside rapid antigen testing suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. |
| Unity Care NW (Bellingham and Ferndale locations) | Established patients. | Yes, same day appointments available. Call to schedule an appointment. | 360-676-6177 Toll Free 877-235-6850 | Will test onsite for patients with symptoms. Patients without symptoms will be referred to Avero. |
| Walgreens (Bellingham (Meridian, Samish and Sunset) and Ferndale locations) | Ages 3+ | Yes, online registration (preferred). | Website | Performs PCR tests. Performs rapid tests. See website for testing details. All locations offer drive-through testing. |
| WWU Student Health Center | WWU Students. | Maybe. WWU students experiencing symptoms or have a known exposure should call the Student Health Center during business hours and ask to speak with a nurse. Students can also send a secure message via MyWesternHealth. | 360-650-3400 Website | May refer patients to NW Labs drive-through for testing. |
Accessing Test Directly Test Results
Results from our testing site are usually available within 48-72 hours.
If you have provided an email address, you will receive an email from Test Directly informing you as soon as your results are ready from Avero Diagnostics. The email will explain how to get your results.
If you have provided a cell phone number, you will receive a text message informing you as soon as your results are ready from Avero Diagnostics. The text message will explain how to access your results.
If you do not provide contact information when registering, you can check your results at https://www.testdirectly.com/patient/report. Insert your unique order ID, access key, and date of birth to download the report.
Rapid At-home Testing Kits
Many people with symptoms of COVID-19 are using at-home tests that are available over the counter. Most at-home tests are antigen tests, which are inexpensive and produce results within minutes. There are multiple ways to access at-home tests.
Rapid at-home antigen tests may not detect very small amounts of virus in a sample. They provide the best results when the tester has symptoms or about five days after an exposure to COVID-19. If you choose to use an at-home COVID-19 test, make sure to carefully follow the instructions on the test kit.
All at-home test kits include detailed instructions and may have a website or phone app to guide you through the process. Read the instructions fully and consider using any supplement materials provided.
Learn more about self-testing at home guidance.
Accessing At-home Test Kits
There are multiple ways to access at-home COVID-19 tests.
Washington state residents can order up to two sets of five free at-home tests per month. Tests are completely free. Orders will usually arrive within 1-2 weeks. The free test kits are available while supplies last. Visit sayyescovidhometest.org or call 1-800-525-0127 to order test kits.
The federal government has relaunched its free at-home COVID-19 testing program. Every household in America can order up to 4 at-home test kits. Visit covidtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order test kits. Additionally, a Disability Information and Access Line is available to help those with disabilities order tests: 1-888-677-1199.
Whatcom County Library System: Free at-home tests are available at all Whatcom County Library Systems locations while supplies last. Call your local WCLS library to see if they have any tests before driving there to save on gas! Go to wcls.org/about-wcls/ to find a list of location phone numbers.
East Whatcom Regional Resource Center: Free at-home tests are available at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center while supplies last. Call to see if they have any tests before your trip to save on gas and time at 360-599-3944.
COVID-19 Pop-up Vaccine Clinics: Whatcom County Health and Community Services pop-up vaccine clinics have a limited supply of free at-home tests to give away. Get details on upcoming pop-up clinics at our COVID-19 Vaccine page.
Buying a test from a pharmacy? If you have health insurance, most insurers will now reimburse you for up to eight at-home tests per month, for each person on your plan.
Understanding Your At-home Test Results
At-home test kit instructions have a section dedicated to understanding test results. If your test kit includes supplement materials such as video instructions or a phone app, those supplement materials will likely provide information on test results.
If you test positive for COVID-19, follow isolation guidance and report your positive test results. You can report your positive at https://safercovid.org/mytest/. You can report both positive and negative results for you or a family member. The site is available in both English and Spanish. It offers resources for notifying close contacts if you test positive, and links for drug treatments for people who are at high risk of severe disease. Oral antivirals are free for people who qualify.