Covid-19 Testing
You can schedule a COVID-19 TEST at Shodair Children’s Hospital.
If you have an urgent need for Covid-19 testing, please call 406-444-1167.
Travel Testing
Testing will be performed on the campus of Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. Testing is by appointment only. After submitting the testing form, you will receive an email from our scheduling team with your assigned appointment date and time.
Testing appointments will be available Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Special arrangements may be possible for other dates and times if needed.
Results will be securely emailed within 24 hours to the email you provide on the form. You must fill out the form for each traveler being tested, and you will receive an individual email for each test performed.
The cost of this testing is $70 per person tested. Payment can be made with cash (exact change), check or credit card at the time of your appointment, or you can make a pre-payment by calling us at 406-444-1167.
Because travel testing for COVID-19 is generally not covered by insurance plans, payment is required prior to or at the time of your appointment. If for any reason you are unable to arrive for your appointment and have pre-paid, your charges will be refunded upon request.
General testing
Testing will be performed on the campus of Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. Testing is by appointment only. After submitting the testing form, you will receive an email from our scheduling team with your assigned appointment date and time.
Testing appointments will be available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-1:00pm.
Special arrangements may be possible for other dates and times if needed.
Results will be securely emailed within 24 hours to the email you provide on the testing form.
Testing can be billed to your insurance if you have a signed order from your doctor. You must bring a physical copy of your order with you to your scheduled appointment. If your doctor would like to fax us a copy in advance, they can fax it to 406-444-1022. If you do not bring a copy of your order to your appointment but wish to proceed with testing you will be responsible for the cost of testing at that time.
The cost of this testing is $70 per person tested if you are paying out of pocket. Payment can be made with cash (exact change), check or credit card at the time of your appointment, or you can make a pre-payment by calling us at 406-444-1167.
*This test is a saliva-based, real-time PCR assay that detects the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. Although this test is authorized for diagnosis of Covid-19 under an FDA emergency use authorization, it is your responsibility to verify that it meets the requirements for testing to your destination.
If you have questions, please see our FAQ section below. If you do not find the answers you need, please contact us via email at covidtesting@shodair.org.
FAQ
This is a saliva test, and it is very important that you not eat, drink, brush your teeth, chew gum, use mouthwash, tobacco, or anything else that might interfere with the test for 30 minutes before your appointment.
Your travel test result will be emailed to you within 24 hours of your sample submission.
The result will be emailed to the address you provided at registration. It will come as a secure email, with an address like “Do-Not-Reply” or shodair.notification@zixmessagecenter.com. You will be required to perform a brief email confirmation and registration process in order to view your secure results.
Because travel testing is not typically covered by insurance, we will require credit card payment upon registration. If you believe this testing may be covered by your insurance, please submit a claim through your insurance provider.
This is a saliva-based, reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) test that detects the specific presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. PCR tests can also be called molecular tests or nucleic acid amplification test. This is NOT an antigen test or antibody test.
No, this is a non-invasive test performed on the saliva that naturally pools in your mouth. There is no uncomfortable swab needed, just a small amount of liquid saliva.
Yes, to date this test detects variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the delta and omicron variants.