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21 + places to find a COVID test in Birmingham now + latest testing updates
UPDATED 1/5/22: How many people do you personally know who’ve tested positive in the past week? If you’re like us, you might need more than one hand to count. Since we know it’s hard to find COVID tests right now, and since area hospitals are begging people not to show up looking for them, we wanted to give you the latest on where you can get tested.
It’s getting harder by the day to find available Covid tests in the Birmingham area
Here are a few updates on getting tested locally:
- UAB Hospital released a statement urging citizens to steer clear of the Emergency Department to access Covid testing or for any symptoms that do not require emergency care. Emergency departments are experiencing record numbers of patients with Covid, which is resulting in longer wait times for all patients.
- According to CVS, due to the rise in testing, lab test results are taking 1 to 3 days. Rapid testing is unavailable at surrounding CVS Pharmacy locations at this time.
- Walgreens has PCR and Rapid Tests still available at certain locations. Check their website to see Covid tests available near you.
- According to Walgreens and CVS, Covid self-tests are selling out within hours of being shipped to store locations. Call your closest store to see when the latest shimpment will arrive.
- American Family Care is still offering Covid testing to walk-ins at several locations across the Birmingham area but tests are given daily on a first-come-first-serve basis, so arrive as early as possible.
- Find your nearest COVID-19 testing place using this online database from the Birmingham Corps.
- Rapid Covid tests can be found online for at-home delivery at certain retailers, including Walmart. Check your location to see if there are stores near you with tests in stock.
1. UAB Medicine Urgent Care
UAB Medicine Urgent Care announced they are offering Covid-19 testing for anyone ages 18 and up who needs to be tested before traveling. You may only receive this testing if you are not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.
They use a PCR/NAAT molecular lab test which is the most commonly used and accepted testing method. However, you should check with your travel destination on what kind of test is required for entry.
For those who are experiencing symptoms, call 205-975-1881 for screening. If you meet the screening criteria, you will be provided with an appointment to get tested at their Drive-Thru testing site.
- Location: 125 20th Street South, Suite 103
- Hours: Sunday-Friday 7:30AM-2PM
- Cost: $125 (not covered by insurance)
- Appointment Needed: No (walk-ins welcome)
2. CVS Pharmacy
CVS is currently offering Drive-Thru PCR/NAAT Covid-19 testing by appointment only. They do not offer rapid tests. The PCR/NAAT takes 1-2 days to receive results, so make sure to make an appointment in advance in order to have your results in time for your trip.
There are eight CVS locations in Birmingham and the surrounding area with currently available tests this week. Head to the CVS website to find your closest location and book an appointment.
- Check their website for hours and locations near you
- Cost: Free (with or without insurance)
- Appointment Needed: Yes
3. Legion Field
Covid-19 testing is available for qualifying patients. Call 205-543-2684 to see if you are eligible for an appointment and to schedule yours today.
- Location: 400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM
- Cost: Free (with or without insurance)
- Appointment Needed: Yes
4. Hoover Urgent Care Clinic
If you are experiencing symptoms, you can get Covid tested at Hoover Urgent Care. Call (205) 987-6801 for more information and to schedule your appointment. With the rise in cases, they recommend getting there at 6AM to wait in line to get your name on the list for testing as they run out quickly.
- Location: 2503 Highway 150, Suite 105, Hoover, AL 35244
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-5:30PM I Saturday-Sunday 9AM-5PM.
- Cost: Free with insurance
- Appointment Needed: Yes
5. Gardendale Urgent Care
Testing here is available to anyone with or without symptoms and is Drive-Thru only testing. Call (205) 285-8252 for more information.
However, they are only accepting a limited amount of patients per day so arrive early for your best chance of getting a test.
- Location: 210 Fieldstown Road, Suite 124, Gardendale, AL 35071
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM I Saturday-Sunday 9AM-3PM
- Cost: Free for those without insurance I Those with insurance will be billed if their company does not cover expenses
- Appointment Needed: No
6. Your Kid’s Urgent Care
Your Kid’s Urgent Care is offering curbside testing for adults and kids of all ages both with or without symptoms. Call (205) 769-6800 for more information. Go to thier website to save your spot online. You can also see their current wait itmes for Covid testing there.
- Location: 790 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 112, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
- Hours: Monday-Friday 1-7PM I Saturday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Accepts all types of insurance
- Appointment Needed: No, but you can save your spot online
7. Middle Creek Medical Center, PC
To receive a test from this location, you must be a current patient and meet the clinical criteria. You may be tested for your vehicle or in-office. Call (205) 477-3737 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
- Location: 4810 Bell Hill Road, Bessemer, AL 35022
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM I Saturday 8AM-2PM I Sunday 1-5PM
- Cost: Free with insurance
- Appointment Needed: Yes
8. Acton Quick Care Clinic
Acton Quick Care Clinic is offering Covid testing to anyone, ages two years and up, regardless of symptoms or exposure. Call (205) 273-9424 for a phone consultation and to schedule an appointment. Health Care Workers and First Responders should call (205) 525-6133 to schedule an appointment.
- Location: 2868 Acton Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8AM-5PM
- Cost: Free with insurance I Payment needed if no insurance
- Appointment Needed: Yes
9. Ross Bridge Medical Center
Ross Bridge Medical Center is performing Rapid antigen and PCR COVID-19 testing, as well as antibody testing, for both pediatric and adult patients. Rapid antigen tests are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis daily, so arrive early for your chance to recieve one. Call (205) 92COVID to schedule a phone consultation and schedule an appointment.
- Location: 3635 Market Street, Hoover, AL 35226
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-5PM
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
- Appointment Needed: Yes
10. Alabama Regional Medical Services
Covid-19 testing at Alabama Regional Medical Services is for anyone seeking a test. This is a Drive-Thru testing site.
- ARMS Northern Health Center Location: 2817 30th Avenue, North, Birmingham, AL 35207
- ARMS Metro Health Center Location: 712 25th Street, North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Drive-up testing, Monday-Friday 8AM-Noon (must be in testing line before 11:45 a.m.)
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance. Insurance will be billed for persons with insurance (no out of pocket costs)
- Appointment Needed: No
11. Trussville Urgent Care
Trussville Urgent Care is offering Drive-Thru only testing available for anyone with or without symptoms. They are a walk-in-only clinic with a maximum amount of patients they take per day. Arrive before opening to get in line and be put on the list for a Covid test. They will assign you a time to come back later that day.
- Location: 960 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM I Saturday-Sunday 9AM-3PM
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
- Appointment Needed: No
12. Bessemer Quick Care Clinic
Bessemer Quick Care Clinic is offering Covid testing to anyone, ages two years and up, regardless of symptoms or exposure. All you have to do is complete a telemedicine screening via their HIPAA-compliant app, Spruce.
- Location: 727 Memorial Dr, Bessemer, AL 35022
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8AM-5PM
- Cost: Free with insurance I Payment needed if no insurance
- Appointment Needed: Yes
13. TrustCare
TrustCare offers the Rapid Test, PCR test and Antibody Blood test. Call (205) 203-8226 to make an appointment. Appointments should be made days in advance.
- Locations: 1337 Montclair Road Birmingham, AL 35210 I 708 Montgomery Highway, Suite 100, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 I Birmingham: 3965 Crosshaven Dr., Birmingham, AL 35243
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM
- Cost: You will be billed for an office visit (either through your insurance or self-pay)
- Appointment Needed: Yes
14. Cahaba Medical Care – West End Clinic
Testing here is available by appointment, or by drive-up or walk-up without an appointment, for people with or without symptoms. Call (205) 679-6325 to schedule an appointment.
- Location: 1308 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Birmingham AL 35211
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-12:30PM; 1:30-5PM
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
- Appointment Needed: Yes and No
15. American Family Care
At American Family Care, you can also receive the Rapid Test, PCR test and an Antibody Blood test. Get there as early as possible since Covid tests will run out later in the day. Rapid test results will come back in around 15 minutes.
- Multiple Locations
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-6PM
- Cost: Free with insurance
- Appointment Needed: No
16. Homewood COVID-19 Testing Site
Homewood is distributing Covid-19 tests to those who are eligible. Call (205)-952-6834 to schedule a phone consultation to schedule an appointment.
- Location: 266 Snow Dr, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-Noon
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
- Appointment Needed: Yes
17. Urgent Care for Children
Urgent Care for Children has multiple locations around Birmingham. They have curbside testing available to both children and adults of all ages both with and without symptoms.
- Find locations + hours near you
- Cost: Free with insurance I Payment needed if no insurance
- Appointment Needed: Yes
18. Total Care 280
At Total Care 280, you can get a PCR Covid Test by going to their Drive-Thru. No appointment is needed. Call their office once parked and arrive early as they can run out of tests.
- Location: 2836 Greystone Commercial Blvd #2822, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Hours: Covid testing from 6:30AM-3PM
- Cost: Free with Insurance
- Appointment Needed: No
19. Dr. Celeste
Dr. Celeste is a family practice physician and is giving out PCR Covid-19 tests as well as Rapid tests and Antibody Blood tests. Schedule your curbside appointment now on their website. They are closed this Thursday and Friday as well as Monday, January 17.
- Location: 401 Tuscaloosa Ave, Suite 210, Birmingham, AL 35211
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM
- Cost: Free with or without Insurance unless you are getting the Antibody test which is $50.
- Appointment Needed: Yes
20. Morgan Pediatrics
Head to the Drive-Thru Covid testing site in front of Morgan Pediatrics for a free Covid test. They also offer free flu testing in the same swab as the Covid test.
- Location: 2010 Ave F Birmingham, AL 35218
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM
- Cost: Free with or without Insurance .
- Appointment Needed: No
21. Walgreens
There are currently 10 Walgreens locations around the Birmingham area with available Covid tests in the coming week. You can book your appointment online. some locations have both PCR and Rapid tests while others have one or the other.
- Check their website for hours and locations near you
- Cost: Free (with or without insurance)
- Appointment Needed: Yes
22. Agile Biodetection
Agile Biodetection is offering Covid tests in the Birmingham area. They currently only accept BCBS of Alabama, Medicare, Tricare and Cares Act for the uninsured. They accept cash or credit cards for travel testing. They have same-day appointments that you can schedule online. Their testing uses an anterior nasal swab.
- Location: 105 Vulcan Rd, Suite 404 Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM I Saturday 9AM-Noon
- Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
- Appointment Needed: Yes
Where will you go to get Covid tested? Did we miss any available sites? Let us know by tagging us @bhamnow.