COVID-19 test kit ———

The hours of operation for a patient to receive COVID-19 remote testing (via Zoom video call) with a Vault Health test supervisor are below:

• Sunday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EDT

• Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

• Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

• Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

• Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

• Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

• Saturday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EDT

COVID-19 testing with Vault is currently accessible in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Medicare/Medicaid Patients: At this time, we may not provide testing services to participants of Medicare/Medicaid in all states. During the order process if you see that testing is not available to order in your state, it may be because you indicated participation in Medicare or Medicaid. We are actively expanding our testing coverage; please check back periodically to see if we can offer testing in your state.

*IMPORTANT:  This test is to be performed only using saliva collected during a Zoom-enabled video supervised test visit with a Vault test supervisor. This is done to ensure that the right type and amount of sample is produced, which is necessary to make sure that the results of the test are correct. 

This RT-qPCR test detects specific genes from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. After you provide a sample of your saliva, the virus's genetic material is extracted from it and these specific genes are looked for in a laboratory.  If they are there, the test is considered positive. 

This test is NOT a do-it-yourself at-home test, but rather a test in which the saliva sample collection is ordered and supervised by a Vault Health test supervisor on a remote testing (via Zoom video call) , and the sample is then sent back to a laboratory for testing.   

Knowing whether or not you are currently infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can help you to know what steps you should take for yourself and in order to protect others.

Yes, you can order and take a COVID-19 test regardless of whether or not you're experiencing symptoms. There is a "no symptoms" option you can select when ordering your test.

No, this is NOT a test for COVID-19 antibodies, which are produced by people who have had the disease and have recovered.

There is no “carrier” status for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If you test positive, it means you are infected with the virus, based on what we currently know. However, about 25% of people who are infected do not have symptoms, but can still spread the virus to others because these people are still considered infected. 

No, this is not an antibody test, which would tell you if you have previously been exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This is an RT-qPCR test that looks for the presence of virus in your saliva, which if present indicates that you have the virus.

**You will need a unique email address for each person taking the test.** The account you create to order a Vault test kit will function like a medical record matching your individual information to your test result. If you are ordering a second test for a person other than yourself, you will need to create a separate account so that person’s information will match with their result. Each test account should be associated with a unique email. If you use your email to order a test for yourself, you will need to create another account with a separate email to order a test for your child (or other family member).

Yes, if you have a US Shipping address and a valid government-issued photo ID (from the United States or any country), you may purchase a test. 

Forms of valid photo ID include: 

• a state issued driver's license

• a passport 

• a state ID card

Yes. This test is currently available to everyone with a valid government issued photo ID.

This RT-qPCR test is very sensitive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, with 98% of tests providing either a positive or a negative result, and only 2% of tests providing an inconclusive result. The test can detect fewer than 10 copies of viral genes per milliliter of saliva, and can detect the presence of virus in the saliva within 2 days of infection and up to 28 days after infection.   Across all known gene sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the test detects the ones in the genes of interest ~100% of the time, making it highly sensitive and specific for those genes.  

The false positive and false negative rates for this are both 1%.  A “false positive” is a result that is positive that actually should have been negative, and a “false negative” is a negative result that should have been positive. With a false positive and negative rate of 1%, this means that 99% of the time, a positive or negative result is the actual result after just a single test.  To put this in context, a lot of COVID-19 tests have a low false positive rate, but the false negative rates of some nasopharyngeal swab-based tests can be as high as 25-35%.

Vault test supervisors do not provide treatment for COVID-19. When you receive your test results, we will provide an explanation to you and you will be referred to the most current  guidelines for what to do if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms, you will be asked to get in touch with a local healthcare provider for care. You can share your test results with your primary care healthcare provider to assist in your care.

Yes. This assay is intended for use under the Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization #200090 authorized on April 10, 2020. This saliva test and saliva collection device are FDA-authorized for at-home self-collection in the U.S.

For more details, please review the following:

Patients: https://www.fda.gov/media/137771/download 

HCPs: https://www.fda.gov/media/137774/download

Yes, this test is performed in a CLIA and CAP accredited laboratory. This test is an RT PCR test and meets guidelines for most interstate and international travel, but please refer to the guidelines specified for entry to your destination.

In regards to the at-home collection, Vault believes that i) this is fundamentally different from what is often thought of as traditional "at-home” collection because it is being supervised every step of the way by a test supervisor, patients are not left to their own devices; ii) remotely supervised testing interactions currently are, and continue to grow in widespread recognition of as an appropriate patient-supervised interaction, and given that Vault utilizes real-time synchronous audio/visual technology, it is no different than if a patient was standing in front of a testing supervisor in a physical office; iii) in the uncertain times we find ourselves, with social distancing showing real results of flattening the curve, plus the scarcity of PPE, Vault believes this is an effective method to maintain the safety of test supervisors and the patients to whom they provide care.

The unopened saliva test kit currently has a shelf life of up to 2 years. You may log in to collect your sample with a live testing supervisor whenever you are ready during our Zoom testing hours.

No need to schedule an appointment. When you have your testing kit just download Zoom and go here.

Yes, the Vault COVID-19 RT - qPCR salvia test detects the new SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant. We target 3 genes with our test - N, S, and ORF1ab.  The new SARS-CoV-2 variant causes 2 of the 3 genes to be detected in positive samples when tested using our assay, with only the S gene being undetectable.

1 -  Answer questions online.

Go to www.vaulthealth.com/covid and click “Order a Kit”. Enter your personal details, describe your symptoms that you are experiencing, risk factors and pertinent health history online. You will need to enter payment details and shipping/billing address for your testing kit order.

2 - Order your testing kit.

The kit will be delivered directly to you via expedited delivery if purchased by 2:00 pm Pacific / 5:00 pm Eastern time.

**WEEKEND SHIPPING NOTICE: (All kits ordered from Friday 3:00 pm Eastern time through Sunday evening will ship on the following Monday).**

3 - Collect your saliva under the supervision* of a test supervisor.

When your kit arrives and you are ready to collect your sample, log into your Vault account and you will be connected to a remote testing (via Zoom video call) with a Vault test supervisor who will guide you through producing your saliva sample and collecting it in the tube provided in your kit. The whole process takes just a few minutes. You should not eat, drink or chew gum for 30 minutes before providing the sample.

*IMPORTANT:  If you do not collect saliva under supervision from a Vault test supervisor, your test results will be invalidated.

Yes, you may order more than one test at a time. But, please note that each test ordered for someone other than yourself will need to be assigned to a new email address, linked to its own Vault account. **You will need a unique email address for each person taking the test.** The account you create to order a Vault test kit will capture your personal details like Name and Date of Birth. It lets Vault match your individual information to your test result. This Is why a separate account is needed for every person who will be testing. If you have entered the account information incorrectly (i.e. put your name instead of your child’s when ordering a test kit.), please reach out to a Vault team member here to request the correction.

All testing will be conducted through remote testing (via Zoom video call) with a Vault test supervisor. There is no physical location to visit to take this test with Vault, all appointments for testing will be through remote testing (via Zoom video call). Only patients who have placed orders will be able to meet with a Vault test supervisor to supervise the test.

Once you’ve ordered and received your kit, we can usually guarantee results back in 12-48 hours after the completed sample arrives back at the lab. (If you provide your saliva sample as soon as you receive your kit and ship the sample back immediately). 

The timing to receive results is typically driven by how soon the completed test kit arrives at the lab. Please be aware that shipping partner delays or weekend shipping restrictions in your area may impact this timeline. 

Therefore, we recommend you order your testing kit at least 6 days in advance of when you will need your final test results. 

If you require additional accessibility for your supervised COVID-19 remote testing (via Zoom video call) with Vault, please reach out to our Patient Experience team by email at [email protected]. We will respond to you directly to schedule an appointment that can accommodate your request.

If you require a video appointment conducted in a language other than English for your supervised COVID-19 test with Vault, please reach out to our Patient Experience team by email at [email protected]. We have translation services available for 200 languages (including American Sign Language) and can connect with you to meet your translation needs for your testing appointment.

After completing your sample collection with a Vault test supervisor, please attach the overnight shipping label included. Find the nearest drop-off location that matches your label and send your test kit back.

After you have shipped your completed test kit back to the lab with the enclosed return label, results should be available within 12-48 hours after receiving the package. If you have not been notified of your result after 48 hours of returning your kit to the lab, please reach out to our patient experience team here for support.

When your results are ready, a Vault test supervisor generates an email notification with a link to your test results along with recommended next steps depending on your results. The test results will be ready within 12-48 hours after the sample arrives at the laboratory.

No. Vault’s SARS-CoV-2 test will only be performed in the laboratory after (1) a licensed test supervisor orders the test for you and (2) your sample collection is observed by a test supervisor (via Zoom-enabled video supervised testing). Once the sample has been received by and tested in the laboratory, you will receive your results via electronic reporting. 

If you do not collect saliva under supervision from a test supervisor, the test results will be invalidated. 

If you have a positive test result, it indicates that RNA from several genes in the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) were detected, and that you were infected with the virus at the time that you produced the sample. If you have a positive test result, then you are presumed to be contagious, and if you have symptoms such as fever, coughing or shortness of breath, it is very likely that you have COVID-19.

If you are having mild symptoms, per guidance from the CDC, you should self-quarantine, meaning that you should stay home and stay as far from other people living with you as you can. If you have symptoms, you should also get in touch with your healthcare provider, so that they can monitor your symptoms and be ready to provide care if your symptoms get worse.   (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html).  

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, including, but not limited to, trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or the inability to arouse, and/or bluish lips or face, you should seek immediate medical attention. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

A negative test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample.  For COVID-19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms usually means that COVID-19 did not cause your recent illness. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative result) in some people who are either infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who have symptoms of COVID-19.  If you do have symptoms of any illness, you should contact your healthcare provider, who will take into account the test results along with your symptoms and your medical history–including possible exposures, and where you have recently traveled–in deciding how to care for you. It is important that you work with your own primary care healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take. 

While a negative test result does not mean that you should stop following the current state, local or CDC guidelines for your area, it may help you to make decisions about your potential risk of infecting others.

Importantly, a negative test result also does not mean that you cannot contract COVID-19 in the future.

Typically you will receive an email with results 12-48 hours after your sample is received at the lab. The title of this email is:”Your Test Results Are In”. Please be sure to check any Spam or Promotions folders in your email application. The results email will be sent to you from: [email protected] If you have elected to log in to see results instead of having them emailed. You can log into your Vault account and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the down arrow on the right hand side to view your results. The link to log into your account can be found here.

You can receive your results in two different ways: 

If you opted into results over email, you will receive an email with your test result. 

If not, you will get an email notification when results are ready to view in your Vault account. There will be a link to your results in that email.

Vault test supervisors will make general recommendations for you based on your test results, but you will need to follow up with your own healthcare provider if you require care. 

If you experience severe symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please seek medical attention immediately.

If you have a positive test result, then you are presumed to be contagious, and if you have any of the symptoms outlined below, it is very likely that you have COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include, but are not limited to: 

• Fever

• Dry cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Loss of sense of taste/smell

• Diarrhea

• Nausea/Vomiting

• Generally not feeling well (malaise)

• Muscle aches

• Headache

• Chills

• Purple / blue discoloration of one or more toes

If you are having mild symptoms, per guidance from the CDC, you should self-quarantine, meaning that you should stay home and stay as far from other people living with you as you can. If you have symptoms, you should also get in touch with your healthcare provider so that he or she can monitor your symptoms and be ready to provide care if your symptoms get worse. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html).  

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, including, but not limited to, trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or the inability to arouse, and/or bluish lips or face, you should seek immediate medical attention. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

Up to 45% of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 can have no symptoms, or very subtle symptoms.  This test is highly sensitive for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the chances of receiving a “false positive” result - a result that is positive but should have been negative - are approximately 1%.  So, if you receive a positive result, the chances that you had the virus at the time of the test are 99%, and even if you don’t have symptoms, you should treat yourself as infected.

The Vault test is highly sensitive, and can detect the presence of fewer than 200 viral particles per milliliter of saliva.  The very low false positive rate (1%), which would be a positive result that should have been negative, means that the likelihood that the Vault test is wrong is only 1%.  Other tests, including both rapid and other RT-PCR tests are less sensitive and can have a higher false negative rate, like some nasopharyngeal swab-based tests, which can have false negative rates of 25-35%. So, the chances that your test is producing the wrong result is only about 1%.

Also, if you take your second test even a day or two after you took your Vault test, and especially in younger people, there is a chance that your body has cleared the virus and you are no longer shedding it, which would increase the chances of your second test being negative. 

If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please seek medical attention. A negative test result indicates no presence of virus at the moment of sample collection. A negative test result cannot guarantee that you have not contracted the virus after you submitted your sample to the lab for testing, and in very rare cases, can represent a false negative result, in which case you have the virus but the test result is negative.

For immediate treatment and care for any acute symptoms you may be experiencing, please contact your local primary care healthcare provider. For specific questions related to your SARS-CoV-2 test results, contact us here.

Vault test supervisors do not provide treatment for COVID-19. When you receive your test results, we will provide an explanation to you and you will be referred to the most current  guidelines for what to do if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms, you will be asked to get in touch with a local healthcare provider for care. You can share your test results with your primary care healthcare provider to assist in your care.

No, a negative test result does not mean you should stop following the current state, local and CDC guidelines for your area (which may include wearing a mask when in public or social distancing). It may help you to make decisions about your current health and your potential risk of infecting others.

Vault reports COVID-19 testing results as required to applicable health care government authorities for their public health activities.

The total cost of the test is $90, which includes a Zoom-enabled video supervised testing consultation, laboratory testing costs, materials, lab result and shipping both ways.

Vault is out-of-network with all health insurance plans and providers and cannot submit a claim for you.  Vault cannot bill your insurance directly for your test; all payment will be out of pocket for the purchase of the test. 

Vault also accepts HSA & FSA funds towards the cost of the test.

Yes, Vault accepts HSA and FSA funds as well as all major credit cards.

Severe weather is impacting UPS service in the Southeast, California and the Pacific Northwest. For the week of September 14th, there will be no UPS pickup or delivery in many weather-affected areas (including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.) and therefore shipping and delivery on some recent orders may be delayed. If you have already sent in a completed test kit, you may check in on your shipment's progress here, using the return tracking number on your return label.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this time. Updates on UPS Service Alerts can be found here.

I received the test kit materials in the mail, what are my next steps? 

When you have your testing kit just download Zoom click here to connect with a testing supervisor during our scheduled Zoom testing hours (listed below). Remember not to eat, drink, smoke or chew anything 30 minutes before your testing session.

Hours of operation for test supervision via Zoom: 

Sunday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EST Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Saturday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EST

After you have completed your saliva collection, please ship the completed test kit back to our lab using the enclosed shipping envelope as soon as possible to receive results. Results are usually available within 12-48 hours after arrival at the lab. 

No, you must use UPS. Use this UPS locator tool to find a convenient UPS drop off point for your sample. DO NOT drop your same at a pharmacy UPS drop box -- only use a UPS physical location or UPS direct drop box.

If your kit comes with a UPS label, use this link to find your closest UPS drop box: UPS: Find Locations

Do NOT drop off your sample at a pharmacy or convenience store even if it has a drop off option. Please ONLY use stand-alone drop boxes or UPS store locations.

If your test kit shipment arrives damaged, please contact us here with your contact information (first and last name and email) to let us know. Expect a response from our team within 48 hours, thank you for your patience!

If you do not receive your testing kit when expected within 24-48 hours after your purchase, please send us a note here with your contact information (first and last name and email) to let us know. Expect a response from our team within 48 hours, thank you for your patience!

No. We are not currently able to ship COVID-19 testing kits to a PO Box address.

Yes, Vault is HIPAA compliant and we will ensure that personal health information stays secure by employing modern security best practices and standards.

Vault reports COVID-19 testing results as required to applicable health care government authorities for their public health activities.

Log into covidtest.vaulthealth.com and you will be able to log into your account and access a virtual waiting room for our COVID-19 testing. You should not eat, drink or chew gum for 30 minutes before providing the sample.

No, this is NOT a test you can do alone.  If you do not collect saliva during a video call under supervision from a Vault test supervisor, the test results will be invalidated.

Download Zoom: Visit https://zoom.us/download and download instructions for your correct device. Once you have downloaded Zoom, follow the link that is sent to you via email to enter into Zoom. You will need to enable your 'video camera' and 'join with audio' to complete your Vault remote testing (via Zoom video call) with a test supervisor.

To enable your audio, ensure you click on the 'Join Audio' icon located on the bottom left of the Zoom screen.

For COVID-19 inquiries, please email [email protected] and or call (212) 880-5494. Please note, our phone lines are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.