FREE COVID Testing For Caregivers

Below you will see how to get FREE COVID testing for caregivers in the Sacramento area.

You’ll also see RAPID COVID TESTING locations.

Rapid-Testing Locations

• Last updated: 11/9/20

If you can afford it, you can get a 15-minute test at the following locations in the Sacramento area (this can save you A LOT of time, and can be worth it if you’re missing work — HOWEVER, rapid tests are considered less reliable than standard tests).

• Lincoln Urgent Care. ($150) (if you want an earlier test date, refresh the screen throughout the day in case there is a cancellation) — located at 77 Lincoln Blvd Suite 1, Lincoln, CA 95648, phone number (916) 258-2751
• Sacramento Urgent Care ($120) (using the Solv website to book an appoinment) — located at 7200 S Land Park Dr, Sacramento, CA, 95831, phone number (916) 422-9110, web site https://www.sacurgentcare.com/
• ARC Point Labs ($150) at 6681 Blue Oaks Blvd #1, Rocklin, CA 95765, phone number 279-300-2700 (you want the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Viral Diagnostic Test)

FREE Testing Locations

• Last updated: 8/10/20 — fastest test RESULTS (may take several days to get an appointment):

NOTES on getting FREE COVID testing for caregivers:

• Availability of testing appointments changes every day — try later in the day (or the next day) if you can’t find a good one
• The length of time to get your results changes every day — some sites are 2-3 days, others are 4-7 days, and this can change
• If you don’t have insurance — don’t worry, it is not required for most of these sites
• If you have insurance — you may be able to get an earlier appointment and faster results by using your insurance and/or going through your primary care doctor (e.g., some people do it through Kaiser)
• Type of COVID test — do NOT get the “antibody test” (this only shows if you had COVID in the past); get the test that shows whether you have COVID at the time of the test (most or all of the sites below will give you the correct test)

ADVICE on getting FREE COVID testing for caregivers:

1. If you are asked for your occupation/job, say you are a HealthCare worker — this will help you get approved
2. If are asked for insurance but don’t have any, just write “NA” and you can usually continue with the form
3. If you can’t find an appointment soon enough, look further away (sometimes you have to drive a little further to get an earlier test)
   • To get tested immediately you have options, but you have to qualify and may have to pay out of pocket.  You can
     • go to an ER (Emergency Room) — but you may have to pay, and you may not qualify unless you have symptoms
       • as of 8/6/20 Kaiser can get you results in 3-4 days
     • go to an Urgent Care Clinic
       • as of 8/6 Med7 charges the following
         • $0 if you have PPO insurance (and it takes up to 8 days)
         • $51 if you have HMO insurance (and it takes up to 18 days)
         • $278 out of pocket, and it takes up to 8 days
       • as of 8/6 Folsom and Natomas Urgent Care centers are similar
         • $0 if you have insurance (10-15 days for results)
         • $232 if you don’t have insurance
4. If you can’t find an appointment close enough, look further into the future at the sites near you (some of the most convenient sites have longer lead times)
5. SET UP AN ACCOUNT — getting re-tested will be MUCH FASTER
6. GET STARTED NOW — don’t wait

WEB SITES & LOCATIONS for FREE COVID testing for caregivers:

Placer County & El Dorado County

•  LHI Testing
  • From the LHI web site on 8/6: Testing results are ready “typically within 4 to 6 days.”
  • The best availability is often at 4890 Granite Dr, Rocklin, CA 95677 (Rocklin Library)

Sacramento County

• Various — Sacramento County Web Site
  • The county rotates free testing through various locations throughout the week
  • Results within 3 days (as of 8/6/20):
  • WEEKLY SCHEDULE for Sacramento County Free COVID (as of 8/6/20)
    • FREE Testing: Schedule ​/ Locations / Appointment Contact​
      *Having Trouble with the Appointment Application?​
      MONDAY
      8:00 AM – Noon

      Liberty Towers Church

      5132 Elkhorn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95842

      Appointments: 916-583-8877 or​ https://libertytowerscommunity.setmore.com (8/6 updated link)
      1:00 – 5:00 PM
      La Familia Maple Neighborhood Center
      3301 37th Ave., Room 7, Sacramento, CA 95824 (park on 36th Ave)
      Appointments: 916-990-1311 or https://lafamiliamaple.setmore.com
      TUESDAY
      8:00 AM – Noon​​
      Natomas Unified School District
      1931 Arena Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95934
      Appointments: 916-561-5253 or https://natomasunified.setmore.com​​
      1:00 – 5:00 PM

      Folsom-Cordova Community Partnership Center

      10665 Coloma Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

      Appointments: 916-361-8684, or https://folsomcordova.setmore.com

      WEDNESDAY

      8:00 AM – Noon

      Oak Hills Church

      1100 Blue Ravine Rd., Folsom, CA 95630

      Appointments: https://folsom.setmore.com​​
      1:00 – 5:00 PM
      Tetteh Pediatric Health​
      7248 S Land Park Dr.​, Suite 118, Sacramento, CA 95831
      Appointments: https://bit.ly/TPH_C19
      THURSDAY
      8:00 AM – Noon

      Galt Parks & Recreation Classrooms

      610 Chabolla Ave., Galt, CA 95632

      Appointments: 209-366-7180 or https://galt7662.setmore.com​​
      1:00 – 5:00 PM
      Robertsons Community Center
      3525 Norwood Ave., Sacramento, CA 95838
      Appointments: 916-567-9567 or https://robertsonscommunitycenter.setmore.com
      FRIDAY 
      8:00 AM – Noon​
      South Sacramento Christian Center
      7710 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95823
      Appointments: 916-681-6791 or https://southsacramentochristiancenter.setmore.com​​
      1:00 – 5:00 PM

      St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church

      3996 14th Ave., Sacramento County, CA 95820

      Appointments: Coming soon!​

      Slated to open 8/14/2020​

Yolo County

•  LHI Testing
  • The best availability is often at 2300 East Gibson Rd, BLDG 400, Woodland, CA 95776

Multiple Counties In The Sacramento Area

• • CVS drive-through testing
    • From web site on 8/6/20: “Due to high demand, please allow 6-10 days for results. In some instances, our lab partners may take even longer to return results.
  • HRSA.gov
    • This web site only provides a list of COVID-testing locations, and shows you where they are on a map.  It does NOT tell you whether they are free or not
    • Click here to see the latest list from 8/6/2020 (PDF)
  • Med 7 clinics (Natomas, Folsom, Roeville & Carmichael) — $0 if you have PPO insurance (and it takes up to 8 days)
  • Do-I-Need-A-COVID-Test (True North)
    • As of 8/6/20, West Sacramento is the ONLY Sacramento-area site available
    • Click here to go directly to the West Sacramento page (below is the street address so you know how close it is)
      • Capitol Pharmacy
        2923 W Capitol Ave
        West Sacramento, CA 95691

        Testing Hours

        • Monday, August 10: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
        • Tuesday, August 11: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
        • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
        • Thursday, August 6: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
        • Friday, August 7: Closed for testing
        • Saturday, August 8: Closed for testing
        • Sunday, August 9: Closed for testing
    • From the web site on 8/6/20: “Testing locations are drive-thru and by appointment only. The test is FREE to those individuals being tested. Testing follows CDC Guidelines to determine eligibility.
      Currently eligible:
      – Healthcare workers and first responders.
      – Other individuals with symptoms.
      – Other individuals without symptoms, in accordance with state and local plans and for public health monitoring.
      
      Test DayTesting locations use a self-administered nasal swab test that allows you to swab your own nose while in your vehicle, supervised by trained medical volunteers.Results are delivered within 3-5 business days. You will receive an email notification when results are available. Once you receive the email, return to this site and logon to view and print your lab report.If you receive an appointment, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you PRINT and bring your test voucher with you on the day of your test.

Click here to jump to a site that has good availability in West Sacramento