COVID-19 Testing Programs
Updated Dec. 21, 2022
PCR testing for COVID-19 is available at University Health Services (UHS) to those in the UMass community with symptoms of COVID-19 or a known exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Walk-up hours at the UHS main entrance lobby:
Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to noon
Routine testing is not available on Saturday, Sunday or holidays.
Symptomatic patients who would like to test, but do not need to see a provider, are encouraged to use the rapid antigen self-test kits and isolate until symptoms resolve.
COVID-19 Testing
University Health Services (UHS) has PCR tests available to those in the UMass community with symptoms or known exposures. Testing will be billed to an individual’s insurance. UHS also offers elective PCR testing for a $25 fee. PCR testing is currently available on a walk-up basis in the UHS main entrance lobby Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon. For more information please see the UHS COVID-19 Testing webpage.
All students, faculty, staff and members of their households who need testing because they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 can come to UHS for a PCR test. Most insurance companies cover COVID-19 testing administered for health reasons (such as having symptoms or being a close contact with someone with COVID-19) at no additional cost to you. Elective PCR testing, such as testing for travel, is also available for $25 per test at UHS, a price significantly lower than what is offered by pharmacies and other providers.
Additionally, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order free antigen at-home tests through the federal government. The campus will continue to make available free antigen at-home test kits until our supply runs out. Two free kits per week can be obtained by visiting the vending machines located at the lower level of the Campus Center.
How to Get Your Test Results
Results from tests are ready within 24-48 hours.
If you test NEGATIVE, you will be notified via email from umalab@umass.edu. You will need to register and login to a secure portal to access your results.
If you are a UMass student or faculty/staff member and test POSITIVE, you will receive a phone call from a PHPC nurse OR an email from umalab@umass.edu with your results. You can look at your lab report by clicking on the Order ID. Order Choice showing green does not indicate a negative result. If you are positive you must isolate immediately. The UMass Public Health Team reviews all positive results and then will send out information to your email address. These are emails are sent out throughout the day.
Report Your Positive Test from At-Home Antigen or Non-UMass Laboratory
Individuals should continue to report their positive tests to testing@umass.edu. A positive test may come from an outside laboratory or an at-home antigen test.
