Chicago Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Facilities

Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports have introduced COVID-19 testing facilities for travellers and employees, offering both rapid antigen and PCR tests. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has stated that the testing sites will be limited to employees and travellers, with users needing to show proof of flying or airport employment. The tests are not free but should be covered by insurance. The sites will be managed by Doctors Test Centers, working with Simple Laboratories.

Chicago's Midway and O'Hare airports to set up COVID-19 testing facilities

Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports are setting up COVID-19 testing facilities for travellers and employees. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has issued a Request for Proposal, seeking a vendor to provide COVID-19 testing at both airports. The successful bidder will be expected to create and manage two sites at O'Hare and one at Midway before the December holiday travel season begins.

The first O'Hare site will be a walk-up, pre-security site in the terminal core, accessible by foot or public transport. The second site will be a drive-up site in a remote parking lot. Midway will have a community-based drive-up site in a parking lot, managed by Chicago's Department of Public Health, as well as a new walk-up site in the terminal for travellers.

The sites will offer both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests. Results from the rapid antigen test should be available within 20 minutes, while PCR test results will take up to 72 hours. Testing will be limited to travellers and airport employees, who will need to show proof of air travel or employment.

The addition of testing centres means Chicago's airports will join a growing list of airports offering COVID-19 testing for travellers, including JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports in New York, and Logan International Airport in Boston.

Testing facilities will offer PCR and rapid tests

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has implemented COVID-19 testing facilities at O'Hare and Midway International Airports, offering both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid point-of-care tests. The testing sites are strategically placed for convenience and accessibility. At O'Hare, there is a walk-up, pre-security testing site in the terminal core, easily accessible by foot or public transportation, and a second drive-up site located in a remote parking lot. Midway Airport features a similar setup, with a walk-up site inside the terminal and a drive-up site in a nearby parking lot.

The PCR tests provide more accurate results but take longer to process, with results typically available within 72 hours. On the other hand, the rapid point-of-care tests offer quicker results, usually within 20 minutes, making them ideal for time-sensitive travellers. These testing facilities cater to the needs of both travellers and airport employees, providing peace of mind and facilitating safe travel.

To ensure smooth operations, the testing facilities are managed by vendors selected through a Request for Proposal process. The vendors are responsible for creating and managing the testing sites, with the successful bidder expected to establish the testing sites before the busy holiday travel season commences. The testing sites are not free, but insurance coverage is available for travellers.

The addition of these testing facilities at Chicago's airports enhances the city's comprehensive testing program, aiming to make air travel as safe as possible during the pandemic. The availability of both PCR and rapid tests provides flexibility and convenience for travellers, especially those travelling to destinations with specific testing requirements.

It is important to note that testing does not guarantee a traveller is free from COVID-19. However, combined with other safety measures such as quarantining before travelling, testing can add an extra layer of protection. The implementation of testing facilities at Chicago's airports demonstrates the city's proactive approach to creating a safer travel environment for all.

Testing sites will be available to the community, airport travellers and employees

Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports are set to establish COVID-19 testing facilities for both travellers and employees. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has issued a Request for Proposal, seeking a vendor to provide COVID-19 testing at both airports. The vendor will be expected to create and manage two sites at O'Hare and one at Midway, offering both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid point-of-care tests.

The first O'Hare site will be a walk-up, pre-security site in the terminal core, accessible by foot or public transport. The second site will be a drive-up site in a remote parking lot. Midway will have a similar walk-up site in the terminal for travellers, and a drive-up site managed by Chicago's Department of Public Health for use by the community, travellers, and employees.

The sites will be available to all passengers, airline employees, and other airport workers, providing peace of mind and facilitating travel, particularly for those travelling to destinations with COVID-19 testing requirements. Testing will be limited to travellers and employees, who must show proof of air travel or employment at the airport. The testing facilities will be operational before the December holiday travel season.

Travellers must show proof of air travel or proof of airport employment

Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports have implemented COVID-19 testing facilities for travellers and employees. Testing sites are available at both airports, with O'Hare offering a walk-up, pre-security testing site in the terminal area, as well as a drive-up testing site in a remote parking lot. Midway has a similar setup, with a community-based drive-up testing site and a walk-up site within the terminal. These sites offer both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests.

To access these testing facilities, travellers must show proof of air travel or proof of airport employment. For travellers, this means providing evidence of a flight within a specific timeframe, typically within 72 hours before their flight or up to five days after their arrival. This requirement ensures that the testing service is utilised by those who specifically need it for travel purposes.

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has stated that their goal is to implement the most comprehensive testing program possible to facilitate safe and streamlined travel for both domestic and international passengers and employees. By offering testing options, the CDA aims to provide peace of mind and make air travel as safe as possible during the pandemic.

These testing facilities are a welcome addition for travellers, especially those heading to destinations with COVID-19 testing requirements, such as Hawaii. The tests provide travellers with the necessary proof of negative COVID-19 results, making their travel plans more convenient and helping them adhere to the requirements of their chosen destinations.

Tests will be covered by insurance

If you have insurance and are seeking a COVID test, you may be covered by your insurance carrier for various reasons and symptoms. There will be no cost to you for using your insurance. If you are covered by a health insurance plan and purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test that has been authorized, cleared, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), your test costs will be covered by your insurance. Insurance companies and health plans are now required to cover eight free over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month. For example, a family of four all on the same plan would be able to get up to 32 of these tests covered by their health plan per month.

The Biden administration has stated that it is "incentivizing" insurers and group health plans to set up programs that will allow Americans to get over-the-counter tests (PCR and rapid tests) directly through preferred pharmacies, retailers, or other entities with no out-of-pocket costs. For people whose health care providers have ordered a COVID-19 test, there will not be a limit on the number of tests covered—including at-home tests.

Currently, state Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs must cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests without cost-sharing. Additionally, Americans covered by Medicare can have their COVID-19 diagnostic tests, such as PCR and antigen tests, performed by a laboratory at no additional cost when ordered by an authorized health care professional. However, those on Medicare will not be able to get reimbursed for at-home COVID-19 tests through the program, according to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services.

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