COVID-19 Testing Information for Patients

NKGen Biotech offers COVID-19 RT-PCR, SalivaDirect™and Antibody tests

Now offering COVID-19 RT-PCR testing from saliva samples with SalivaDirect™

Which COVID-19 Test is Right For You?

Are you experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 infection? If so, we have two testing options for you: COVID-19 RT-PCR test and the SalivaDirect™test. COVID-19 RT-PCR test is performed in our laboratory from a nasal/oropharyngeal swab specimen. SalivaDirect^TM test is a non-invasive saliva sample. Click here for more information.

Do you think you may have been exposed in the past and have not had any symptoms of COVID-19 for more than 14 days? If so, the Antibody test is what you are looking for. This test is performed in our laboratory from a blood collection.

COVID-19 testing requires a valid doctor’s order before testing. The patient must contact their physician to order COVID-19 tests. If the patient does not have a doctor’s order, they can still get tested by calling the appointment line where they will be instructed to fill out an online questionnaire for physician pre-screening services.

How to Get Tested at NKGen Biotech?

If you have a doctor’s order, fax to NKGen Biotech Client Services at 949-861-9565 before scheduling appointment

Call NKGen Biotech at 949-396-6830 to schedule an appointment for specimen collection

Fill out screening questionnaire completely before your collection appointment

Visit NKGen Biotech facility in Santa Ana, CA for on-site specimen collection

Test results available in 2 business days (for RT-PCR), within 2 business days for SalivaDirect^TM, or same day (for antibody)

Appointments available M-F 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; same day appointments also offered.

Frequently Asked Questions

RT-PCR Test

What does the test measure?

The test detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA indicating that a person is infected and has COVID-19. A positive result indicates SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in the upper respiratory tract sample submitted for testing. A negative result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in the respiratory sample.

What specimen is required?

This test requires an upper respiratory sample collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by healthcare providers (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, nasal, or mid-turbinate swab collection).

What do the test results mean?

A positive result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected and therefore the patient is infected and presumed to be contagious.

A negative result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not present in the specimen above the limit of detection. A negative result does not rule out COVID-19 and should not be used as the only basis for excluding the possibility of COVID-19.

How to order?

If the physician is collecting the specimen, send specimen (collected as per specimen collection guidelines) along with the completed COVID-19 Test Order Form to NKGen Biotech for processing.

If the patient will be sent to the NKGen Biotech facility for specimen collection, the doctor must fax completed order form to 949-861-9565 (FAX) prior to the patient calling for an appointment. After the test order has been faxed, patients should call NKGen Biotech at 949-396-6830 to set up an on-site collection appointment. Payment will be collected over the phone at the time of scheduling.

If the patient does not have a doctor’s order, they can call NKGen Biotech at 949-396-6830 to schedule an appointment and request a test order from one of our partner physicians by filling out a screening questionnaire.

How long until results are ready?

In most cases, results will be available in 2 business days from the time of specimen receipt. Results will be provided to the ordering physician. Patients can obtain test results by contacting their healthcare provider.

A POSITIVE result will be called to the provider and the patient. A NEGATIVE result will be called only if specifically requested on the lab order. Otherwise it will be distributed through normal lab reporting channels. Results will be reported to Public Health by the testing laboratory.

Do you bill insurance?

We do not currently accept health insurance. All tests are payable by credit card at time of service. An itemized receipt can be requested at time of payment which can be submitted to the patient’s insurance company for possible reimbursement.

IgG/IgM Antibody Test

What does the test measure?

The test detects the presence of antibodies indicating that a person had an immune response to SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). A positive result indicates a previous exposure to COVID-19 causing the body to develop antibodies.

What specimen is required?

This test requires a venous blood draw to detect COVID-19 IgM/IgG antibodies in the blood.

What do the test results mean?

Antibodies in the blood indicate a previous COVID-19 infection. Antibodies typically develop within 14 days after the onset of symptoms although some individuals previously infected with COVID-19 may not have shown any symptoms but will still have a detectable antibody response.

How to order?

If the ordering physician is collecting the specimen, send blood specimen (collected as per specimen collection guidelines) along with the completed COVID-19 Test Order Form to NKGen Biotech for processing.

If the patient will be sent to the NKGen Biotech facility for testing, the doctor must fax completed order form to 949-861-9565 (FAX) prior to the patient calling for an appointment. After the test order has been faxed, patients should call NKGen Biotech at 949-396-6830 to set up an on-site collection appointment. Payment will be collected over the phone at the time of scheduling.

How long until results are ready?

In most cases, results will be available on the same day of testing. Patients can obtain test results by contacting their healthcare provider.

Do you bill insurance?