Behind the high-tech COVID-19 tests you probably haven’t heard about

If you buy something from a link, they may make a commission. Our ethics statement can be found here.

When you think about getting tested for COVID-19, you probably think of two types of tests: the at- home rapid test and the lab test. Most people don't know that you can buy online at- home tests.

These at- home tests combine the convenience of a test with the accuracy of one. It reduces the chance of a self test delivering a false negative result. It can help people plan with more certainty. It is a reason why companies give these tests to their workers. The FDA has given the green light to three at- home tests. None of my friends, family, or co-workers were aware that this was an option when I asked them. Why aren't people using these tests if they are so convenient? More people haven't heard about them.

They're pricey. You need to buy a hub if you want to take the Cue Health tests. The device and a three-pack of tests cost $450. Extra fees are not included in that number. All three of the companies claim that their tests are accessible for the average person. We looked at how well these tests worked, what their limitations are, and what scenarios these pricey tests might be worth.

What are the different types of COVID-19 tests?

There are two different types of tests.

Most people are familiar with antigen tests. Results can be delivered in as little as fifteen minutes. You can buy an at- home kit from your pharmacy if you want to get a test from a healthcare provider. Some well-known brands include the Abbott Covid-19 Antigen Self Test, iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test, and QuickVue At- Home OTC COvid-19 Test. These tests are convenient and affordable, but they aren't as accurate. You might get a false negative if you don't have enough of the virus in your system.

Different methods are used to detect a virus. They look for the virus's genetic material and make copies of it until there is enough for a test to detect. They are also known as NAATs. They can catch less of a virus than a test. If there is enough virus in your nose to be picked up by a test, they can sometimes tell if you have a disease.

This category includes tests like the gold standard. The OTC tests made by Cue, Detect, and Lucira do the same thing. The at- home tests are not the same as the PCR tests. Different amplification methods are used by them.

Lab equipment that cycles through higher and lower temperatures is needed to amplify bits of virus. It can take several hours to complete this process. You can't get your results on the same day.

It is possible to amplify genetic material via a small machine that you can keep in your home.

Essentially, OTC at- home tests matter because they can deliver results that are as accurate as a lab-run test sooner and faster. Results can be delivered in 30 minutes or less. Results are delivered in about 20 minutes. It takes about an hour for the test to detect.

You have been exposed to COVID-19 but aren't showing symptoms yet. An OTC test is more reliable than an at- home one. The higher degree of accuracy reduces the need for confirmation testing to rule out false negatives and could potentially save you time and money. The main issue is access.

Are these tests easy to use? How much do they cost?

They are easy to use. If you can take an at- home test, you shouldn't have any issues. The general process requires you to take a sample from your nose and put it in a container. Once you collect your sample, you put it in a machine that handles amplification.

It is the most straightforward test. You don't have to download an app to use it. You can leave the machine to do its job for half an hour after you collect your sample and place it in the machine. The cost of the tests is $75. Once you are done with the machine component, you throw it into the trash. It is not possible to store your testing history in an app. Instead, you take a photo of your test unit and send it to your kit. There is a separate code for the LUCI test reporting portal. A record of your test results can be presented at events and conferences.

It is a different story whether it is accepted.

Reusable machines are sold separately from the actual tests. It is definitely more eco-friendly, but it also means you are investing more into a product ecosystems upfront. The cost of a test is $48 while the cost of the detect hub is $39. The hub and test are included in the starter kit bundle. The reader cost $249 and an individual test cost $65. If you opt for a Cue Plus membership, you will get a discount on the Cue Reader, as well as an amount of tests each year. The Cue Plus Complete is $799.99 for 20 tests and the Cue Plus Essential is $39.99 per month for 10 tests.

The cheapest of the three tests, Detect, takes about 75 minutes to complete and is the longest. It's not difficult. It feels like you're doing a science experiment. The process is painless since the Detect app gives you a video and sets timers so you don't forget. It is the most difficult option. For instance, one step requires you to check if a reagent bead dissolved, while a few others require you to forcefully flick the vials to make sure the liquid inside sinks to the bottom. You still have to read the lines to see if you are positive or negative. Since the app walks you through that process, it's easier to understand.

The process splits the difference between the two. You have to create a Cue account, pair the Reader with your phone, and update the Reader's firmware before you can use it. All you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. Wait for the results to appear on your phone is what it involves.

How accessible are these tests?

Anyone can purchase these tests. If you want to get one, you don't have to work for a large organization. All of the companies have websites where you can order the tests and have them shipped to your house. Lucira's tests can be found on Amazon. The sticker shock for a single test is different from the rapid self-tests, which are usually cheaper. It's possible to find at- home tests for as little as $10. The US government is giving away up to eight rapid tests.

The at- home tests seem to be for the wealthy. The main point of the tests of each company was accessibility.

The test was made to only be used one time. The tests were designed to make it easy for people without reliable internet or phones to take them. The idea was to make sure that people wouldn't have to buy a separate piece of equipment, because everything would be in a single box. If you want to use Cue and Detect, you have to have a phone that is running both theiOS and theAndroid operating systems. The price of rapid test may not be the most accurate comparison.

The price of a Lucira kit is defended by Mitra. We consider ourselves to be accessible if we are within the accuracy range.

Owen Kaye-Kauderer defended the higher cost as part of a larger toolkit. Antigen tests have a place. Kaye-Kauderer says that most families can't afford to pay for a test every day. I would think of the test as a useful tool.

Kaye-Kauderer said that in some cases the cost may even out. You may have to take multiple tests to confirm a negative result because of the susceptibility of antigen tests. If you have symptoms and test negative on an antigen test, the CDC recommends that you have a molecular test orserial antigen testing performed every 2 to 3 days while you are symptom free. Kaye-Kauderer argues that if you had a $49 Detect test with a higher accuracy rate, you wouldn't need to take multiple tests to confirm a negative result. Most people would benefit from a mix of rapid and at- home tests, according to him.

It is possible to get partial or full reimbursement for at- home tests. They were unable to name specific plans, providers or policies that would cover these tests. It's a side effect of the US healthcare system. Everyone has to get in touch with their healthcare provider. Maybe you will be covered, maybe you won't.

I wanted to know if my insurance provider would pay for an at- home test. There wasn't a good answer. Every month, up to eight diagnostic OTC and at- home COVID tests are covered by Cigna. If the test is billed by an accredited healthcare provider or lab, it will be covered. OTC tests are not covered by Cigna for non-diagnostic purposes. Will the at- home test be covered if I buy it online? I won't know until I file a claim

It depends on how you plan to use the tests. If you want to rely on antigen tests 90 percent of the time and keep one $75 Lucira test for certain situations, many people would be able to afford that. Depending on how often you need to test, Detect and Cue's pricier systems may be a good idea. It would be hard to rely on at- home tests alone if you didn't have your employer pay.

Can these tests be used for travel or events?

It happens sometimes.

The positive news is that these at- home tests can be used to prove a negative result. There isn't a standard policy. Some places will accept them while others won't. Ahead of time, you will have to check.

Some countries may not accept at- home tests as proof. You have to check with each airline. When I go to South Korea later this year, I won't be able to use at- home tests. The Korean embassy explicitly states that all forms of self-administered tests are not valid, even if they are at home.

You will pay more if you use the tests for travel. The CDC requires that the test be administered with a service that provides real-time supervision through an audio or video connection. When your test specimen is collected, the name of the entity issuing your result, and the type of test are required to be provided by the provider. This service is offered by all of the above mentioned companies for an additional price. You need to be a complete subscriber for Cue. There is a $20 add-on service offered by Detect. You can get a free service for verified results for personal use, but you have to pay for video observations.

This depends on an individual event space or building's policies. I had to attend an event at a building where proof of a negative test was required for entry. I was told that none of the at- home tests would be accepted. I didn't care that I could give verified results. It was a test of the polymerase chain reaction.

When should you opt for an OTC molecular test?

There are some situations where an OTC test is better than a traditional test.

Frequent travelers can potentially save time and money if they do their due diligence prior to their trip. If you are making the same trips over and over for business, this is even worse. The tests are portable and can be scheduled last minute, so you don't have to rush to get to the test location. You don't have to figure out where you're going to get tested if you travel abroad.

In the enterprise space, they are a good option. According to each of them, businesses and hospitals are part of their clientele. The company has delivered 6 million tests and 30,000 readers to 20 states through a contract with the Department of Defense, according to a report. It includes over 2,000 schools, 17 state public health departments, and 50 prisons. Among its enterprise customers are the NBA and the MLB.

Air Canada is one of the company's clients. It serves both government agencies and healthcare systems.

If you need to be certain above all else, these tests could help you. If you visit a high-risk family member during the holidays. A false negative on a test is riskier than a positive. If you have a low viral load early on, you may be able to get a negative result on the test. Extra peace of mind can be provided by a high sensitivity test.

There’s another scenario when early detection via at-home molecular tests would be preferable: it could help more people qualify for time-specific treatments.

Paxlovid must be taken within five days of symptom onset if clinical trials are to be believed. The potential life-saving antiviral is not being used. If you have an at- home test on hand, it could be useful for people with compromised immune systems. The partnership between Detect and Carbon Health was about that. People using Detect's system can access Paxlovid through its app the same day they test positive.

What is the future of these tests? Will they be more affordable?

The three of them told me they have plans for these at- home tests. A combined COVID-19 and flu test is in the works. Staph throat or sexually transmitted infections were identified as possible future tests by all three.

Eric Kauderer-Abrams is the co- founder and chief technology officer of Detect. The tests would work with the new hub.

We are the cheapest at- home test. Kauderer-Abrams believes that within the next couple of months they will be in a position to make the cost gap between where we are and the test smaller. He concedes that the gap isn't likely to disappear with this generation. It will be more likely with Detect's second- generation product.

The company is trying to scale up and save money. The company permanently reduced the price of its memberships and tests to help more people afford it.

It would be great if everyone could afford these tests. That isn't where we're at. It is not possible to say if the tests are worth the extra money. Depending on your situation, how frequently you need to test, and how accurate you want it to be. It is also the truth.

Victoria Song is a photographer.