Patient Identification Elements:
- First name of patient
- Last name of patient
- Date of birth for patient
This page will review the test information specific to the COVID-19/Flu panel test. If you are interested in ordering only COVID-19 testing, please go here.
Test Name: COVID-19 /Flu Panel
Test Code: EXAS2500
CPT Code: 87636
Test Description: The test is a laboratory-developed high-throughput real-time RT-PCR multiplexed assay developed by Exact Sciences Laboratories for the simultaneous qualitative detection of nucleic acid from COVID19, Influenza A and Influenza B virus in upper respiratory specimens. The assay is composed of two principal steps: (1) extraction of total nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) from patient specimens, (2) one-step reverse transcription and PCR amplification with COVID19 nucleocapsid (N) gene, Influenza A virus matrix (M1) gene, Influenza B virus nonstructural 2 (NS2) gene and human RPP30 (RP) gene transcripts with specific primers and probes.
Results are for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RNA, Influenza A and Influenza B.
Positive results are indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and/or Influenza B. Clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine patient infection status. Positive results are indicative of active infection but do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definite cause of disease. The laboratory may be required to report positive results to the appropriate public health authority.
Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A or Influenza B infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. Negative results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history and epidemiological information.
DISCLAIMER:
Performing Laboratory: All testing is performed in Exact Sciences Laboratories’ two locations in Madison, WI. These laboratories are certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as qualified to perform high complexity clinical laboratory testing. CLIA numbers: 52D2072838 and 52D2162828
The test must be ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider from an organization that has a fully executed contract with Exact Sciences Laboratories. This test is intended for use with patients who meet the current guidance for evaluation of COVID-19, Influenza A or Influenza B infections.
Highlights of the testing process are summarized in this section, while detailed test information is provided in the Additional Resources section.
The following specimen types are accepted by Exact Sciences Laboratories for COVID-19 and COVID-19/Flu Panel testing.
Please note that Exact Sciences Laboratories cannot accept specimens collected with wooden handles, calcium-alginate swabs, or cotton-tipped swabs.
The following types of transport media may be used:
FDA. FAQs on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/faqs-testing-sars-cov-2. Accessed October 28, 2020.
CDC. Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html. Accessed October 28, 2020.
Exact Sciences Collection Supplies: For those who request them, our lab can provide collection supplies which include a synthetic-tipped swab on a plastic shaft and RNAse-free normal saline transport media. If you choose to use supplies from Exact Sciences Laboratories, they may be used for nasal (anterior nares) collection and are intended for testing at Exact Sciences Laboratories. For convenience, nasal collection instructions are provided with Exact Sciences Laboratories supplies.
To ensure reliable test results, each specimen needs to meet several requirements. Specific specimen requirements are listed below:
Specimen Acceptance Criteria:
Patient Identification Elements:
Collection Elements:
Specimen Transport Elements
Specimen Delivery Instructions
The COVID-19, Influenza A and Influenza B test results are released to the ordering provider using secure electronic methods.
Most providers utilize our secure online portal, called EpicCare® Link™, which may be used even if a provider does not use Epic® for their medical record system.
Call our support team at 844-570-9730 for any additional questions.
Exact Sciences Laboratories offers two options for COVID-19 testing:
Option 1:
Test Name: COVID-19 Test Code: EXAS1002 Real-time RT-PCR test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from COVID19 in upper respiratory specimens
Option 2:
Test Name: COVID-19/Flu Panel Test Code: EXAS2500 Real-time RT-PCR multiplexed assay intended for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of nucleic acid from COVID19, Influenza A and Influenza B virus in upper respiratory specimens
The supplies that Exact Sciences Laboratories distributes can be used for nasal (anterior nares) specimens. However, our lab accepts nasopharyngeal (NP) and anterior nares (nasal) upper respiratory specimens in VTM, UTM, Amies, saline, or other CDC-recommended transport media. These recommendations can be found at the following links.
While all the specimen and order information are important, the minimum criteria for a specimen to be tested are listed below.
*Specimens will only be accepted if these identifiers are clearly evident on the collection device/tube and on the order documentation--the order form or the electronic information provided via interface
*If the time of collection is not provided, the lab will default to 12:00am on the date of collection for stability determination
Wisconsin providers and healthcare organizations should visit the state website (https://covid19supplies.wi.gov/Testing) to set up ordering and to request testing supplies, if needed.
For non-Wisconsin providers and healthcare organizations, please call our Exact Sciences COVID-19 Response Team at 844-570-9730.
COVID-19/Flu Panel
Test Code: EXAS2500
CPT Code: 87636
COVID-19 Test
Test Code: EXAS1002
CPT Code: U0003
From the time that our lab receives the specimen, please expect it to take 48 hours to deliver the result to the ordering provider. It is important to note that this time does not include specimen transport time to our lab.
Specimen collection swabs distributed by Exact Sciences may vary in physical appearance from packet to packet. All provided swabs meet the recommendations from the FDA and CDC for general nasal specimen collection, and Exact Sciences has performed analyses to ensure that the swabs function as expected with our tests. All swabs can be used to collect nasal samples per the nasal collection instructions provided.
The list price of our COVID-19/Flu panel is $189.
The list price of our COVID-19 test is $149.
Individuals who are interested in COVID-19 and flu testing should contact their healthcare provider or follow local health department announcements for testing locations.
Your physician is utilizing Exact Sciences to provide testing related to the date of service listed on the front of your billing statement. We have provided the results to your physician to assist in making decisions related to your care. For questions regarding insurance and billing for this testing, please contact us at 1-866-512-2941.
Epic®, EpicCare® Link™, and MyChart® are trademarks of Epic Systems Corporation®
MyChart® is licensed from Epic Systems Corporation®
© Exact Sciences Laboratories LLC
145 E. Badger Road, Suite 100
Madison, WI 53713
1-844-870-8870