COVID-19 Testing
Page updated: June 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
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View our map of COVID-19 testing sites in Whatcom County.
Pre-Travel Testing Requirements
Some travel destinations require pre-travel COVID tests. Check your travel destination for what you need to know about testing because some locations have specific requirements about where and when you get tested. For some destinations, tests from our community testing site will not be accepted. (For example, Hawaii requires you to use a Hawaii-certified lab, and Northwest Labs is not one of them. Walgreens and Costco are.)
Check with your insurance before you get tested for any travel-related testing to make sure they will cover the cost of the test.
Testing is still covered by HRSA or insurance if you have symptoms of COVID or if you are a close contact of someone with COVID.
WCHD Community Testing Program
There is one drive-through community testing site.
- Bellingham International Airport, Parking Lot A in Bellingham, WA.
Testing at the Bellingham site is available by appointment only.
These videos show you how the COVID-19 testing process works at the site. This video is also available on our Testing Site Videos page in other languages: Mixteco Bajo (two variations), Mixteco Alto, Triqui, and Awakateko.
Bellingham Testing Site Schedule
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon Hours | 11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
11 AM - 1:45 PM |
| Evening Hours | 3 PM - 6 PM |
3 PM - 6 PM |
3 PM - 6 PM |
3 PM - 6 PM |
3 PM - 6 PM |
3 PM - 6 PM |
3 P - 6 PM |
Register for an appointment
You can make an appointment in two ways:
- Online at TestDirectly.com. Use the TestDirectly How-To (PDF) for a user guide. (Also available in Spanish and Russian).
- By phone at 360-778-6075. Phone lines are open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Interpretation services for languages other than English are available by phone.
Anyone can get tested, including people without insurance or a physician referral.
- If you have insurance, you must provide insurance information for billing purposes when you schedule an appointment. People with insurance may be held responsible for the cost of a COVID-19 test if they do not provide their existing health insurance information.
- If you don't have insurance, you can also be tested at no cost to you through a federal program that will reimburse the health department for all costs.
Test results
If you provide an email address, you will receive an email from Test Directly informing you as soon as your results are ready from Northwest Laboratory. The email will explain how to get your results.
If you do not provide an email address when registering, you can check your results at https://www.testdirectly.com/patient/report and insert your unique order ID, access key, and date of birth to download the report.
For issues with access to results, e-mail Health_TestingCOVID19@co.whatcom.wa.us or call 360-778-6075.
Whatcom County Testing Locations
Many healthcare providers in Whatcom County offer testing. The table below is updated weekly with information about which providers currently test for COVID-19. You can also view our map of testing locations.
Northwest Laboratory at 3548 Meridian Street, Suite 101 in Bellingham offers drive-through testing for patients who have referrals from their healthcare provider and have made appointments. If you have a physician’s referral, call 360-527-4592 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website for more information.
| Clinic/Facility | Who Can Get Tested Here? | Do I Need an Appointment? | Phone & Website | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Walgreens (4090 Meridian St) |
Anyone. | Yes. | Website | |
| Care Medical Group | Anyone.
|
No. Drive up COVID-19 testing is available. COVID-19 testing is not done by appointment. |
(360) 734-4300
|
COVID-19 testing has parking lot registration with testing performed in designated area with no exposure to non-COVID-19 patients. |
| Family Care Network | Established FCN patients should call their provider. Non-FCN patients can access urgent care on-demand telemedicine visits. |
Yes. | Multiple clinics
(360) 671-4509
(360) 354-4567
|
Please call ahead to describe your symptoms. If your provider orders a COVID-19 test, you may be referred to the NW Labs Drive-Through for testing.
|
| Lummi Tribal Health Center | Native Americans residing in Whatcom County. | Yes. Same day appointment available. | (360) 383-8251
|
|
| Nooksack Health Center | Nooksack Indian Tribe and eligible members of federally recognized Tribes. | Yes. Same day appointment available. | (360) 966-2106
|
Providers may also order COVID-19 tests as part of a patient’s regular clinic visit. |
| Northwest Labs | Anyone with a referral for COVID-19 testing from their healthcare provider. | Yes. | (360) 527-4592
|
Can schedule by phone or online. |
| PeaceHealth Medical Group | PeaceHealth patients. | Yes. | Multiple clinics
Please contact your provider office for scheduling.
|
Testing site location for PeaceHealth patients:
Health Education Center/Squalicum Parkway.
|
| Rite Aid (Lynden) | Anyone age 18 or older. No healthcare provider referral needed. |
Yes – online scheduling only. | (360) 354-4284 | Healthcare provider referral not required. Schedule a COVID-19 testing appointment online: Website |
| Sea Mar Community Health Center | Established Sea Mar patients should call their provider. Non-Sea Mar patients can access Community Testing. |
Yes.
Appointments are not required for Community Testing.
|
Bellingham | (360) 671-3225
Everson | (360) 354-0766
|
Community Testing (Bellingham location only) Tues 9 AM-12 PM & Thurs 1 PM-4 PM Making an appointment will guarantee you will get tested. Only a limited number of walk-in patients can be seen during Community Testing hours. |
| Super Track Urgent Care | Anyone (telemedicine appointment). | Yes (telemedicine only). | (360) 746-6531
|
If a COVID-19 test is ordered, you will be referred to the NW Labs Drive-Through for testing. |
| Unity Care NW | Unity Care patients. | Yes. Same day appointments available. | (360) 671-6177 | (877) 235-6850 toll free
|
Onsite testing completed in Bellingham and Ferndale clinics. Providers may refer directly to NW Labs drive through for testing or recommend TestDirectly.com. |
| Walk-In Health Clinic | Anyone (established and non-established patients). | No (telemedicine available). | (360) 734-2330 | Please call ahead to describe your symptoms. Telemedicine is available and may be necessary; you can usually be seen within 30 minutes of calling.
Provider may refer you to NW Labs Drive-Through for testing. |
| Whatcom County Health Department & Whatcom Unified Command | Anyone residing in the United States. Insured or uninsured. No provider referral needed. |
Yes. Pre-scheduling is required by telephone or online | Schedule online at TestDirectly.com. Telephone scheduling: (360) 778-6075 Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4 PM |
The testing site is at Bellingham International Airport, Parking Lot A, 4200 block of Mitchell Way, Bellingham. See weekly schedule here. |
| WWU Student Health Center | WWU students only. | Not necessarily. When you call, ask to speak to a nurse. They will determine if a telehealth appointment is needed. | (360) 650-3400
|
If your provider orders a COVID-19 test, you may be referred to the NW Labs Drive-Through for specimen collection. |
If you are a healthcare provider or provide laboratory services and would like your organization added to this website, please contact us at covid@co.whatcom.wa.us.
How to get tested
If you have health insurance and a healthcare provider:
- Your healthcare provider will help you determine if you need to be tested. They may test you or give you a referral to another testing site.
If you have insurance but don’t have a regular healthcare provider:
- Work with your insurance company to find a healthcare provider that accepts your insurance.
- If you need a test right away:
Contact a walk-in or urgent care clinic. Check with your insurance to see which clinics are in your network. Call the clinic ahead of time so that you don't expose other people.
If you can’t get scheduled quickly, call us at 360-778-6100 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday for assistance with testing.
- It’s a good idea to establish an ongoing relationship with a healthcare provider, and now is a perfect time. If you require care for COVID-19 or any other health concern in the future, you’ll want a healthcare provider on your team.
If you do not have insurance or a regular healthcare provider:
- Visit our FAQs page for information about what to do if you don’t have insurance.
- If you can’t get scheduled quickly, call us at 360-778-6100 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday.
Who can get tested?
Anyone can get tested. However, healthcare providers are focusing on people with symptoms of COVID-19 and their contacts. Even if you have mild symptoms, please get tested.
Should I get tested?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should get a test. Even if your symptoms are mild, getting a test can be informative and help you know if you are currently contagious.
If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, you should get tested.
What if I'm vaccinated?
Even if you’re fully vaccinated, get tested right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Although rare, a small percentage of vaccinated people have gotten COVID-19. In addition to testing, isolate yourself from others immediately if you experience symptoms, even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you have COVID-19, you can spread COVID-19, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated.
If you’ve been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and you’re fully vaccinated and don’t have any symptoms, you do not need to quarantine, get tested, or stay home from work. You should still monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure, and seek testing right away if symptoms develop.
These rules do not apply in healthcare, correctional facilities or or homeless shelters. For more information on COVID-19 testing guidance for the fully vaccinated, refer to the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations of Fully Vaccinated People.
Testing Costs
Most people will not be charged for COVID-19 testing.
Health plans regulated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner must cover testing and related visits. You can check with your health insurance plan to see about out-of-pocket payments associated with COVID-19. Additional information insurance coverage and testing costs are available on our FAQs page.
If you are insured and believe you have been charged for a COVID-19 testing-associated visit that should be covered, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
If you are uninsured, tell the provider who is ordering your test. There is a federal program that will cover the cost of testing, but some providers may not have access to this program. If your provider doesn’t have access to the program, they will be able to help you find a referral that will cover the costs.
If you can’t get scheduled for testing quickly or are not eligible for insurance, please call us at 360-778-6100 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday for assistance. We’ll help connect you to testing.
WCHD Community Testing Results
View the weekly results summary for the community drive-through testing site. Community testing program data are updated weekly on Tuesday.