How much have you spend for same day COVID testing bc of your private school's COVID rules?

[Anonymous]

I think I've spent close to $1500 out of pocket for same day PCR COVID testing so that my children wouldn't have to miss more school days than necessary. Friends report similar or more, especially if they have multiple kids at the school. (This is a Big-3 with very strict COVID protocols.)
Although we can afford it, I am wondering if schools have taken into account the cost of this testing, and how it disproportionately affects lower income families. If you can't afford to spend $250/test so that your kid can go to school the next day, that means that 1) your kid has to stay home until the free testing results arrive (e.g., the PCR test kits available at the DC public libraries); 2) parents might have to miss work (if they can't work remotely).
Our school seems to have stuck its head in the sand with regard to these costs and its disproportionate impact on lower income families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I've spent close to $1500 out of pocket for same day PCR COVID testing so that my children wouldn't have to miss more school days than necessary. Friends report similar or more, especially if they have multiple kids at the school. (This is a Big-3 with very strict COVID protocols.)
Although we can afford it, I am wondering if schools have taken into account the cost of this testing, and how it disproportionately affects lower income families. If you can't afford to spend $250/test so that your kid can go to school the next day, that means that 1) your kid has to stay home until the free testing results arrive (e.g., the PCR test kits available at the DC public libraries); 2) parents might have to miss work (if they can't work remotely).
Our school seems to have stuck its head in the sand with regard to these costs and its disproportionate impact on lower income families.

It is possible that the school helps cover these costs. "Extras" (like prom tickets, to take a much more frivolous example) are often subsidized at the family's financial aid rate.

[Anonymous]

Umm, DD is at Holton, and my spend is $0.

Another DC at a private K-8 in Bethesda, and my spend there is $0.

Total number of COVID-related days missed: 0.

Not sure what they're doing that is costing you so much.

[Anonymous]

If you use Same Day Testing in Georgetown, these days the turn around is super fast--so fast that it wouldn't be necessary to pay for the expedited service. For example, if you get tested in the evening, you should have the results by 3 or 4 am--sometimes sooner.

[Anonymous]

Why are you needing so many PCRs with quick turnaround? What is the school’s requirement for testing?

[Anonymous]

Not OP. However, some schools, including ours, required extra PCR or antigen test after breaks or if your child was exposed to COVID. That being said several of my child's classmates had COVID, and this was the alternative to remote learning. Our school also suggested Same Day Testing in Georgetown but after speaking with other parents I learned that you had to submit the paperwork to insurance for compensation so I went to PM pediatrics and then contested some denied claims but only ended up paying co-pay. These tests were at a time when cheaper options like Walgreens and CVS had limited or no availability. I agree it was stressful and a pain but my out of pocket was no where near $1500, and our school was willing to accept PCR tests from any vendor we could locate.

[Anonymous]

0. All done at at school.

[Anonymous]

Go to Curative. $0 with insurance. Other than at the very height of Omicron when it took longer, you get the results overnight.

[Anonymous]

We've had zero outside tests for school and no days lost to quarantine (other than whole school virtual days after winter break). Our school does weekly testing of everyone.

[Anonymous]

$1500 sounds about right, though most of that was for fall, now not nearly as strict. $250 for same business day turnaround, $75 or so for 16 hr turnaround

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you needing so many PCRs with quick turnaround? What is the school’s requirement for testing?

OP here. The school requires PCR or NAAT testing if your child has any symptoms, including sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, etc. There is no remote option. I don't know if students on FA get a subsidy.

The responses above appear to confirm that our school is an outlier. The school won't accept, for example, two at home rapid tests taken 24s apart. We do have weekly PCR resting, but if you have symptoms you have to go off campus to get tested.
I'm fairly certain that our pediatrician's office sends out for PCR tests. Curative locations in DC say 1-2 day turnaround for PCR testing.

[Anonymous]

Similar policies here but we take our Covid test at Walter Reed and they are always same day. So zero expense for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you needing so many PCRs with quick turnaround? What is the school’s requirement for testing?

OP here. The school requires PCR or NAAT testing if your child has any symptoms, including sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, etc. There is no remote option. I don't know if students on FA get a subsidy.

The responses above appear to confirm that our school is an outlier. The school won't accept, for example, two at home rapid tests taken 24s apart. We do have weekly PCR resting, but if you have symptoms you have to go off campus to get tested.
I'm fairly certain that our pediatrician's office sends out for PCR tests. Curative locations in DC say 1-2 day turnaround for PCR testing.

We just went through this. Probably the same school. Tested in the AM; had results overnight. Didn't cost us anything. We used the AllCare drive-through facility in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Bullis does PCR tests weekly at school, our health insurance covers it. After Winter Break they tested twice a week.

Once our child had an exposure (to a + student at school) and we were required to get a PCR test because it was outside the regular weekly schedule. Was an extra $75 for same day testing (not covered by insurance)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Similar policies here but we take our Covid test at Walter Reed and they are always same day. So zero expense for me.

WR only tests if you have symptoms so if no symptoms you are lying to them to get one done.