As the name implies, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test with eMed Telehealth Services is a COVID-19 testing kit that you perform at home. However, instead of doing the test by yourself, you’ll be led through the process by a trained proctor who will also verify your results (that’s where the “eMed telehealth services” aspect comes in). You can imagine this process as the equivalent of Zooming with a doctor to walk you through the test — except that they are not doctors and, while they can see you, you won’t actually see them and will only hear their voice instead. Still, this added layer of confirmation and security is why these tests are approved for re-entry into the United States after traveling abroad. At the time that I’m writing this post, you’ll need to provide a negative test taken no more than one calendar day before your flight to the U.S.
How does it differ from other Abbott BinaxNOW tests?
If you’ve been to your local CVS or Walgreens, you may have seen BinaxNOW tests before. Yet, while they look incredibly similar, there’s a major difference between those BinaxNOW Self Tests and the BinaxNOW Home Test (with eMed Telehealth Services). The first difference is that you’ll notice those Self Tests tend to be cheaper, coming in at around $25 a pop (from what I’ve seen). Of course, the bigger and more important difference is that those tests are not approved for travel since there’s no verification element in place. Meanwhile, the Abbott BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Test with eMed Telehealth Services includes a session with a trained proctor who will verify your results.
Are Abbott BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Tests always accurate?
Rapid antigen tests are a great tool for detecting the presence of the COVID-19 virus and, thus, helping limit the spread. However, they are far from infallible. Because of this, you may receive a false positive (the test saying you have COVID when you don’t) or a false negative (the test saying you don’t have the virus when you actually do). There are several factors that could further affect these results, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m an expert in what those are. With that said, these tests are approved by the FDA, suggesting that the agency does believe that the rate of accurate results is high enough to make them effective.
First of all, when your tests arrive, do not open them! Since the entire point of these particular tests is to have confirmable proof of your test result, tampering with it before getting on the line with your proctor could void your result. Be aware that, in transit, the small, circular sticker that seals the tests could pop open, but I’d still refrain from opening it any further (you can just try to press the sticker down again).
To get started with your test, you’ll first want to visit emed.com and tap “Start testing.” When you do this, you’ll then need to select your state of residence and then log into your NAVICA account. You’ll also need to grant eMed permission to utilize your info from NAVICA. Next, you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire, essentially confirming that you’re ready to take the test and are eligible to do so.
Before you get connected to your proctor, the site will check your tech. This includes confirming that your mic is available, that your speakers are working, and that your internet connection is strong enough to handle a chat session. With that completed, you’re ready to connect with a proctor and begin the testing process itself.
Once logged on, your proctor will first ask you some questions to confirm your identity. You’ll also need to display a photo ID to further verify that you are who you say you are. After that, you’ll need to scan the QR code on the back of your test so that they can verify the expiration date. Then, they’ll need to see the test lying flat on a surface.
This is where my pro-tip comes in. While I’m sure you could complete this test process on a desktop computer, I think a laptop makes the whole thing much easier. Why? Well, during several parts of the test, your proctor will ask you to tilt your camera down to see the test. In my experience, this was fairly easy on our laptops as the webcam angles meant we could put the tests just in front of our laptops on the desk and tilt down as needed. I will say that the NAVICA app does seem to have some sort of sync function once you’re on a call, which makes me think this could be used as a supplemental camera if needed… but I didn’t try out this function.
Back to the test process itself, you’ll be asked to open your test on camera and confirm the contents. There’s also a QR code on the main test device itself that you’ll need to scan using your webcam. After that, you’ll follow the proctor’s instructions and place six drops of solution into the test kit.
Now comes the fun part. After opening your sealed swap, you’ll be instructed to stick it into each nostril, rotating it around your nostril at least five times each. This was actually my first COVID test and had been told about what to expect in terms of feeling. Sure enough, it is quite a strange sensation but is far from unbearable (unpleasant for sure though).
Following your brain tickle, you’ll be instructed to thread the swab in between two holes on the test kit. Then, you’ll rotate it a few times to make sure it’s covered in solution. Finally, you’ll seal up the kit and leave it flat on your table. At this point, your proctor will let you know that they’re starting a 15 minute timer and will play a short video with some info. By the way, at this point, you’re allowed to walk away from the test, but be sure it doesn’t get tampered with and that you return when the alert goes off.
15 minutes and getting your results
During the 15 minutes it takes for your test to fully develop, you’ll notice that the solution will reach the tab in the front of your test. Eventually, this will cause the blue “control” line to disappear and, later, for the pink lines that indicate your positive or negative result to display.
When your 15 minutes are up, a chime will let you know it’s time to continue your testing process. After clicking the button on the screen, you’ll be directed to another proctor. The first thing they’ll do is scan the QR code on your test again to confirm that no funny business happened while they were gone. They’ll also take a peek at your test and walk you through the possible outcomes. Now for the slightly tricky part: each time my wife and I tested, they’d ask, “Do you see the two pink horizontal lines?” The thing is, there should only be one pink horizontal line if you test negative — pretty sneaky, huh? In any case, while I was momentarily confused, I just stated, “I only see one line.” After confirming that the line was where it should be and that there wasn’t even a faint trance of another, I was very relieved to hear the words, “You have tested negative for COVID-19.” I’m sure they said other stuff after this, but I was too busy exhaling all of my anxiety from the past 15 minutes to hear them.
In any case, after you sign off with your proctor, your test result documents should arrive in your email a few minutes later. Additionally, you’ll be able to access them in the NAVICA app around the same time. At which point, CONGRATS — you made it!
Presenting your test results
There are a few different pieces of proof you’ll receive once completing your BinaxNOW Home Test. The first is a PDF that will be emailed to you (the document is also password protected, but the body of the email will give you instructions for unlocking it). This PDF contains your name, birth date, test info, test result, test date and time, etc. It also bears the signature from the company’s chief science officer and says “lab results” in the upper right. In addition to that, in your NAVICA app, you’ll find a QR accompanied by other data regarding your test and negative result.
Important Note: Please DO NOT open the BinaxNOW test kit until instructed to do so by the live proctor (more details in the “Conduct a COVID-19 Test” section below).
Create a Navica Account Parents/guardians conducting at-home eMed BinaxNOW testing create a user profile in Navica prior to starting the at-home test in this step.
1. Navigate to the eMed Navica webpage – mynavica.abbott.com and click on “Create An Account”.
2. One time steps for creating an account:
a. Accept Terms of Use and Privacy Notice Summary
b. Enter email address to receive verification code
c. Create your password
d. Create your profile. Information captured: first name, last name, DOB, mobile number, address, gender, ethnicity, race, primary use
e. Account created!
1. Click “Add a Managed Profile”
2. Read and respond to the Managed Profile Agreement and Create Account By Adding Private Information
3. Scan QR Code On Test and Follow Prompt For Testing With Proctor, Results Sent Once Complete
DO NOT open the BinaxNOW test kit until instructed to do so by the live proctor
ID Requirements – For managed profiles, children <18 years old do not have to provide an ID; however, the parent/guardian will need to provide their ID to vouch for the identity of the minor child. Parent/guardian – please answer “yes” to the question “Do you have a valid photo-ID with you?” and be prepared to show it to the test proctor prior to the child’s COVID-19 test. Young adults 18 and older will be expected to present their own ID.
Disclaimer: Peach Medical strongly recommends discussing any testing plans or protocols with a certified physician or healthcare professional before making any decisions. The information provided by Peach Medical is intended to be general in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
PeachMedical Corp
