COVID-19 Testing
For Travel
Expedited Next-Day COVID-19 PCR Testing
Compliant for Any Destination
Read Below for All the Details
Main Office in Downtown San Francisco
Berkeley Office Now Booking for Oct. 1st
More Dates in Berkeley Opening Soon
COVID-19 Testing for International and Domestic Travel
We get it right the first time. States and countries now require very-recent COVID-19 PCR test results for entry. It can be hard to find a testing clinic like My Doctor Medical Group that can provide:
- Expedited next-day by 5 PM test results using true RT-PCR technology on a deep nasopharyngeal swab.
- Documentation compliant with all destination states and countries.
- Professional and responsive service.
- Excellent attention to detail. We get it right the first time.
Most other outpatient testing currently has prolonged wait times for appointments and/or results (4-14 days) making the results useless. Or they use non-compliant rapid antigen or LAMP technology that is not accepted by foreign governments.
We are also focused on your safety. Our secure testing locations:
- Comply with all County and OSHA safety requirements
- Utilize only highly skilled licensed professionals for test collection.
- Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
IMPORTANT DETAILS OF RESULT TIMING
ALL DESTINATIONS EXCEPT TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA, AND HAWAI'I
Results are delivered electronically to you via our secure online portal by 17:00 PM the next day. It's often earlier in the day but our lab guarantees by 5 PM. After you have booked your appointment, if you have specific timing requirements that aren't addressed by our intake forms, contact us.
TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA AND HAWAI'I ONLY
French Polynesia/Tahiti and the State of Hawai'i require a more complex CDC RT-PCR test assay. Thus there is a $50 surcharge and results are guaranteed by 19:00 PM the next day due to the more time-consuming CDC RT-PCR test required. Please schedule appropriately.Â
Tahiti/French Polynesia Ref (See "prior to departure"): https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/covid-19/
Hawai'i Ref: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
CHINA AND THAILAND - IMPORTANT DETAIL ABOUT REPORT DATE/TIME
The lab report may have the "Report Date/Time" as early as 21:00 PM on the same day as collection, or as late as 17:00 PM on the next day after collection. Since some have said China and Thailand may use the Report Date/Time and not the Collection Date/Time please make your travel arrangements accordingly so that the test is not too early for travel if you get the Report Date/Time on the same day as the specimen collection. We cannot change the Report Date/Time once the report is generated by the lab. Most people choose to schedule their test two days before their flight, but please check the timing for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
The test assay is a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) polymerase Chain reaction (PCR/RT-PCR/qRT-PCR) viral nucleic acid detection assay (NAA). The assay is permitted under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA 200914). The confirmatory test is authorized under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
For Tahiti and French Polynesia only the test is also RT-PCR NAA and is authorized under FDA EUA, but uses a CDC test kit that complies with Tahiti requirements. This test is more expensive ($50 extra)Â and time consuming (results by 7pm next day instead of 5pm).
Our custom travel documentation ($35 additional) includes:
- A letter with your identifying information verifying the testing methodology and the lab's certifications, in addition to re-stating your test result.
- Copies of the lab's CMS CLIA and CDPH Laboratory License certificates
- Other specific documentation if required by individual destinations (Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and others).
We send your test report, along with any other documentation, electronically to you via our secure online portal.
In the unusual case that your destination requires originals or an embossed stamp, we can arrange for you to pick that up at our office.
Nasopharyngeal Swab RT-PCR COVID-19 Testing
- $240 for visit and swab collection at our office.
- $125 lab fee for expedited next-day PCR results (required since regular labs are 4-14 days backed up)
- $35 for customized additional travel documentation and certificates (in addition to lab report) if needed.
- $50 extra lab fee for Tahiti / French Polynesia only.
- Payment is due in full; your credit card will be charged on the day of service.
- Commercial PPO insurance may reimburse fees out of network in part or full to you later, depending on your policy.
If you cancel or reschedule more than 48 hours before the appointment time, there is no penalty and you are not charged. Between 4-48 hours before the appointment, there is a $165 late cancel/reschedule fee. Less than 4 hours before the appointment the full fee is charged. We do not offer refunds.
The reason for these policies is to serve the most number of people who want to obtain testing. Late cancels and no shows deprive others of the opportunity to schedule.
COVID-19 Testing Details
Types of Tests
- PCR to Find Current Infection. If you want to know if you may be currently infectious to others, even if you are not symptomatic, then the Nasopharyngeal Swab RT-PCR test is the most sensitive test currently available. This is also the test required for entry into other states and countries.It has the maximum sensitivity and specificity and is the "gold standard" against which other types of tests are compared.
- What about antibody testing? Antibody testing is not a reliable way to pick up current or recent infection, and is not accepted by any governments. The presence or absence of antibodies also cannot reliably predict immunity. We can do this if you are curious however, for an additional fee.
- What about rapid antigen testing? Rapid antigen testing technology does not provide enough sensitivity to rely on - it misses up to 30-50% of active cases. Thus it is generally not acceptable for important screening.
Location of tests
- At our Secure Clinics at 450 Sutter, San Francisco and on Telegraph Ave in Berkeley:
- We comply with all City, County, OSHA and CDC guidelines and have had perfect scores on audits.
- Valet parking in the building, or less expensive parking at Sutter Stocktoon Garage 1/2 block away.
- Limited number of people on each elevator.
- Patient visits spaced out for optimal safety.
- Medical air filtration in testing area
- All surfaces cleaned with antimicrobials between each patient visit.
- Your safety is our first priority.
- Coming Soon: Secure Clinic on Telegraph Ave in Berkeley
- Will be posted here when we start taking bookings.
- At Your Home.Â
- Our collection expert comes to you in full PPE and performs a collection in the safety of your own home.
- Safe and secure, but higher cost.
- Availability is limited. Please plan ahead.
- For scheduling, call us or reach out to us via our Contact Form
Fees at Our Clinic
- $240 for visit and swab collection.
- $125 lab fee for PCR testing with next-day results.
- Required since regular labs are 4-14 days backed up.
- Custom travel documentation and certificates: $35/person extra (in addition to lab report) if needed for your destination.
- Tahiti / French Polynesia only: $50 extra per person (CDC test).
- Payment is due in full; your credit card will be charged on the day of service. 48 hour cancelation policy.
- Commercial PPO insurance may reimburse fees out of network in part or full to you later, depending on your policy. We partner with Franklin who can help you submit claims.
Fees At Your Home
- $995 for first person at a given site and time, $520 each additional person.
- Includes lab fee with next-day results.
- Custom travel documentation and certificates: $35/person extra (in addition to lab report) if needed for your destination.
- Tahiti / French Polynesia: $50 extra per person.
- Additional fees may apply:
- Travel time more than 15 minutes from our main office.
- Services outside of business hours and on weekends.
- Rush service.
CONTACT USÂ to inquire about testing at home. Availability is limited.
My Doctor Medical Group Could be Your New Doctor
We are a unique concierge medical practice in San Francisco, providing excellence in private medical care, both primary care and sub-specialties. We provide comprehensive care across outpatient, home and hospital settings.
Dr. Paul Abramson, our founder and medical director, has been an early innovator in COVID-19 testing, providing an evidence-based and legitimate option amidst a "wild west" of testing products and claims. Dr. Abramson has two engineering degrees from Stanford, a medical degree from UCSF where is now a Clinical Assistant Professor, and uses the latest data and statistics to help our patients make the best use of available test technology, understanding its value and limitations.
My Doctor Medical Group is centrally located at the historic 450 Sutter building in downtown San Francisco,
Please Contact Us if you need a concierge medical doctor in San Francisco.
Paul Abramson MD
Medical Director