EMPORIA, Kan.(PRESS RELEASE) Like many states, Kansas is proving to run low on COVID-19 testing supplies while the number of individuals approved for testing continues to rise. To conserve testing capabilities, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has updated their criteria to further limit the cases they will accept for testing.

KDHE state testing has been limited to the following:

Healthcare workers and first responders who have COVID-19 symptoms

Potential clusters of unknown respiratory illness, with priority given to long-term care facilities and healthcare facilities

Hospitalized patients with no alternative diagnosis

Individuals over the age of 60 who have symptoms of COVID-19 with priority given to people who reside in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or other congregate settings

Individuals with underlying health conditions that would be treated differently if they were infected with COVID-19

COVID-19 tests are being conducted only with a medical provider’s order if the patient presents a risk after completing a verbal and physical health screening. Community members MUST “call before they go” to their healthcare provider’s office if they are experiencing symptoms, have traveled recently, or have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19. Symptoms include a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, cough, and shortness of breath.

COVID-19 tests for patients that do not meet the aforementioned criteria will be sent to Quest Diagnostics laboratory in Lenexa, KS with an expected turnaround time of 2 to 3 days after specimens are collected. Testing through Quest results in a $98.00 charge that is billable to a patient’s insurance. Insurance companies including Medicare and Medicaid are required by recent federal legislation to waive the co-payment for these tests, but patients will remain responsible for any deductible. Patients without insurance will be covered by Medicaid.