ValleyNY54
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2019
I wanted to share a few ideas we learned as we faced one family member getting COVID after we arrived in Orlando for Disney. Here are some resources we found helpful.
1. A home Binax test, someone had with them showed positive for Grandpa, but with ten other family members exposed, we needed quick PCR confirmation. The Urgent Care 24/7 in Kissimmee offers a RAPID 30 minute PCR test at their location. They do NOT take insurance, and it costs $199 paid via credit card/cash. However, I filed for insurance AFTER getting home. The results were done in 30 minutes for my husband and me. Unfortunately, he was positive for COVID on day #2 of a 12-day vacation. I think the other Urgent Care 24/7 locations in and around Orlando (besides the Kissimmee location) might offer the same quick PCR test. To protect others, we needed to know fast about a PCR result to begin quarantining outside of the family.
2. Once positive, we researched Florida's resources for "monoclonal antibody" (Regeneron) treatment. To our amazement, Florida has established 18 State-run locations to administer Monoclonal Antibodies to ANYONE who has a positive test result. You do NOT need a "doctor's order" to get this treatment in Florida. A positive test result and a series of signature releases will get the treatment underway. We registered ONLINE with the state's "FloridaCovid19" response website and got an immediate appointment for a state-run location about 20 minutes from Disney in Apopka, FL. We supplied insurance information, but insurance was not required. The process was smooth and the Regeneron was administered via 4 easy shots (yes, easy ones) and NOT using IV infusion, like the old way.
With our old age and also health issues, #2 made sense, but we are NOT suggesting it for others. If you need an immediate PCR test result and can pay out of pocket (later file w/ insurance if possible), then knowing about #1 might be helpful.
None of the rest of us got sick by some miracle. Grandpa's case was a "breakthrough" and not expected. But on vacation, the unexpected happens, and hopefully, other travelers can use what we discovered about Orlando Covid testing and Florida state offerings.
1. A home Binax test, someone had with them showed positive for Grandpa, but with ten other family members exposed, we needed quick PCR confirmation. The Urgent Care 24/7 in Kissimmee offers a RAPID 30 minute PCR test at their location. They do NOT take insurance, and it costs $199 paid via credit card/cash. However, I filed for insurance AFTER getting home. The results were done in 30 minutes for my husband and me. Unfortunately, he was positive for COVID on day #2 of a 12-day vacation. I think the other Urgent Care 24/7 locations in and around Orlando (besides the Kissimmee location) might offer the same quick PCR test. To protect others, we needed to know fast about a PCR result to begin quarantining outside of the family.
2. Once positive, we researched Florida's resources for "monoclonal antibody" (Regeneron) treatment. To our amazement, Florida has established 18 State-run locations to administer Monoclonal Antibodies to ANYONE who has a positive test result. You do NOT need a "doctor's order" to get this treatment in Florida. A positive test result and a series of signature releases will get the treatment underway. We registered ONLINE with the state's "FloridaCovid19" response website and got an immediate appointment for a state-run location about 20 minutes from Disney in Apopka, FL. We supplied insurance information, but insurance was not required. The process was smooth and the Regeneron was administered via 4 easy shots (yes, easy ones) and NOT using IV infusion, like the old way.
With our old age and also health issues, #2 made sense, but we are NOT suggesting it for others. If you need an immediate PCR test result and can pay out of pocket (later file w/ insurance if possible), then knowing about #1 might be helpful.
None of the rest of us got sick by some miracle. Grandpa's case was a "breakthrough" and not expected. But on vacation, the unexpected happens, and hopefully, other travelers can use what we discovered about Orlando Covid testing and Florida state offerings.
