COVID-19 Testing for Kids
Holiday Hours
The Roberts testing site will be closed on Sunday, April 9, 2023, in observance of the Easter holiday.
CHOP offers COVID-19 testing for kids who meet testing criteria. Please use the screening tool below to get started and find out if your child meets these criteria.
What you need to know:
- Appointments are required.
- Testing is available for the following situations.
- Children experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Children who have been exposed to COVID-19 (with or without symptoms)
- Children who need a test for return to school
- Please do not go to the Emergency Department (ED) if you’re seeking a test for mild symptoms or exposure. If you are unable to get an appointment with a CHOP COVID-19 testing site, we encourage you to use testing resources in your community (click here and scroll to "COVID-19 Updates") so our ED staff can stay ready to care for kids with serious medical emergencies.
- CHOP no longer requires pre-procedure testing for the majority of patients coming in for surgery or a procedure. Please contact your medical provider directly if you have questions about pre-visit instructions or requirements before scheduling a test for this reason.
- Current CHOP patients who see a CHOP Primary Care pediatrician may also be tested at their primary care office if testing is recommended.
- Any child who visits a CHOP Urgent Care location may be tested for COVID-19 if symptoms indicate. To be tested at Urgent Care, your child must be seen onsite for an in-person Urgent Care visit and meet testing criteria.
If your child is sick and you're unsure about where to turn, here is more information about where to go and when.
How do I get a COVID-19 test through CHOP?
Use the online screening tool to determine if your child meets the testing criteria. If testing is recommended, you’ll be directed to schedule an appointment at our Roberts Center for Pediatric Research.
CHOP's COVID-19 testing locations and hours
CHOP-run COVID-19 testing sites can be found at the following locations. Testing is available by appointment only.
Covid-19 Testing Locations
Roberts Center for Pediatric Research
734 Schuylkill Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19146
Monday and Thursday: 11:30am-6:30pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday: 8am-3pm
Preparing kids for COVID-19 testing
If the screening tool has recommended testing, read these tips from CHOP child life specialists to prepare your child for drive-through COVID-19 testing or watch this short video.
All CHOP COVID-19 testing sites now use the less invasive nasal swab, called anterior nares, to obtain the specimen for testing. This involves swabbing only about 1 centimeter into each nostril for about 10 seconds each.
Obtaining test results
COVID-19 test results will be provided within 48 hours via MyCHOP, our secure patient portal. Follow these instructions to obtain results and review this information to help you understand your results. Tested positive? Top things to know. If you do not have a MyCHOP account, please call 800-722-7112 for set-up and activation. If it has been more than two days since your child’s test and you do not see results, please call 800-722-7112.
Pre-procedure testing
CHOP no longer requires pre-procedure testing for all patients being admitted for surgery, for an outpatient surgical procedure or any other inpatient stay. Most patients will not require COVID-19 testing, but if your child does need a test for any reason, their care team will give you instructions and order the COVID-19 test specifically for your child’s admission/procedure needs.
COVID-19 testing in schools
To support safe in-person learning, CHOP developed resources to support both staff and students: See Guidance for In-Person Education (K-12), updated January 2022.
Resources for providers
If you are seeking a test for a pediatric patient, provide the family with the URL (chop.edu/covid-testing) of CHOP’s COVID-19 screening tool so they can determine if their child meets criteria for a COVID-19 test.
If you are a testing provider:
- View a collection of resources that will help you provide the best possible COVID-19 testing experience for children who present to your test site.
- Review CHOP’s clinical pathway for guidance on screening and testing for COVID-19 disease in an ambulatory setting.
Additional information
The CARES act requires that providers post their cash price for COVID-19 testing. CHOP’s cash price for COVID-19 lab testing is $219. Health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of appropriately ordered COVID-19 tests without cost sharing. Please note, this price is only for the COVID-19 test. Other tests and screening may be ordered and provided at the same time of service, which will affect a total bill for this service. For questions, please call the Patient Cost Estimation Department at 267-426-1467.
Security Reminder
CHOP will never ask for sensitive information such as passwords or social security numbers outside of MyCHOP, our patient portal. If you receive a call, text, email or social media message asking for sensitive information, do not respond. If you have questions, call your CHOP provider using a phone number you know is legitimate, or contact us through MyCHOP.
