eTrueNorth—which helps enable lab testing at retail pharmacies—and the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) are collaborating on a COVID testing model that expands testing at non-pharmacy retail locations.
eTrueNorth and the HHS’ “Increasing Community Access to Testing” program are inviting retailers to join the effort to expand laboratory PCR COVID tests by providing them with a no-cost supply of EUA-approved COVID-19 Home Self-Collection Laboratory Based PCR Test Kit.
Consumers will schedule a date and time to pick up a free test kit and their retailer. The retailers will be reimbursed for each completed test associated with their store.
eTrueNorth maintains a public website that allows Americans to register for free COVID-19 testing. Consumers select their preferred location and schedule a date and time to pick up a free COVID-19 Home Self-Collection Laboratory Based PCR Test Kit. After performing the test, the consumer returns the kit to the retailer drop-off receptacle.
Each day, the retailer will package completed test kits for pickup by a FedEx or UPS courier. The test kits are then shipped to a certified laboratory for PCR analysis.
Results are later digitally communicated back to the individuals typically within 48 to 72 hours. This new model includes reimbursement to the retailer for every completed test.
“This new model removes financial risk for retailers and will greatly expand access to COVID-19 test kits to Americans. Since consumers must schedule appointments for the test kits, retailers have control over the number of tests that can be picked up and dropped off each day. And the volume of testing can change over time,” says Coral S. May, eTrueNorth’s co-founder and CEO. “Retailers can provide additional access for COVID-19 testing to Americans. Thanks to the HHS, the retailer can be compensated for each completed test that is distributed at their retail stores.”
Once retailers have expressed interest in helping expand COVID-19 testing to its local community, eTrueNorth provides a contract, reimbursement set-up and instructions on how to begin offering testing. The retailer’s sole role is distributing the free test kits and helping facilitate the shipment of the specimens to the laboratory. Reimbursement occurs monthly.
The Federal Government’s expansion of testing locations creates a unique opportunity for retailers to expand the services they offer their customers and develop a new income source.
“eTrueNorth has a proven technology infrastructure system in its www.iNeedaCOVID19Test.com platform. We are so pleased to be able to offer retailers the opportunity to help Americans and earn reimbursement,” says May. “We make it easy for retailers to increase access to COVID-19 testing in their communities.”
