Information About COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

COVID-19 Testing Information

Seattle Children’s offers COVID-19 testing for certain patients, including:

  • All patients staying at the hospital

    All patients staying at the hospital.

  • Patients with a planned surgery, procedure or hospital stay

    We require certain patients to get a COVID-19 test 2 days before their surgery or a planned hospital stay. We will call you to help you schedule your testing time and place.

    Patients required to complete a COVID-19 test prior to their procedure who do not get tested may have their procedure delayed or cancelled. 

  • Patients with possible COVID-19 signs and symptoms

    If your child does not need emergency-level care, you may schedule a visit with their primary care provider or schedule a Seattle Children’s Urgent Care visit at any of our 4 locations across the Puget Sound area. We can check your child’s symptoms and determine if they need a COVID-19 test or any other tests. These visits are treated like any other Urgent Care visit and will be billed accordingly.

    Urgent Care locations and hours:

    Our Urgent Care location in Seattle is open 7 days a week, including holidays.

    • Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Our Urgent Care locations in Bellevue, Everett and Federal Way are open 7 days a week, including holidays.

    • Monday through Friday: 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Please note: Seattle Children’s Emergency Department is NOT a COVID-19 testing site.

  • Patients coming to Seattle Children’s for a visit who screen positive for possible exposure to COVID-19

    Upon arrival at Seattle Children’s hospital and clinics, patients and families will answer screening questions for signs of illness. Based on their responses, we may conduct further screening and/or COVID-19 testing of the patient. Some patients are tested before their clinic appointment or hospital stay. Contact your child’s provider if they develop a new illness like fever, cough or runny nose before their scheduled visit.

  • Patients who are not coming to Seattle Children’s but have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

    A close contact is someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes in a 24-hour period. Please contact your child’s primary care provider to ask about testing.

How to Get a COVID-19 Test

If your child needs a COVID-19 test, please contact your primary care provider to schedule a visit. You may also schedule an Urgent Care visit. We will check your child’s symptoms and may order a COVID-19 test during the visit.

Please do not walk in to get a test at Seattle Children’s hospital or other clinics. Seattle Children’s Emergency Department and Urgent Care clinics are NOT COVID-19 testing sites.

Cost of COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing at Seattle Children’s is not free. Many insurance companies pay for COVID-19 testing costs. You may have to pay a deductible or co-insurance.

  • If you are insured, we will bill your insurance. Please contact your insurance provider to learn about COVID-19 testing coverage.
  • If you are enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid), you will not owe anything for COVID-19 testing.
  • If you do not have any form of insurance, you will be billed for the cost of the test, but we will apply a 25% discount to the cost.
  • You can also apply for Financial Assistance online or by calling 206-987-3333. Additionally, lower cost testing may be available at other locations in the community.

Last updated on January 24, 2024