We empower you with home collection kits sent directly to your eligible patients.

Tempus provides PCR tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (the viral agent that causes COVID-19). 

Tempus’ COVID-19 tests are either validated in accordance with FDA policies or have received an EUA authorization from FDA.

The Tempus EUA authorized test:

• has not been FDA cleared or approved;
• has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by the authorized laboratories;
• has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and
• is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

The SalivaDirect™ EUA authorized test: 

• has not been FDA cleared or approved;
• has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by the authorized laboratories;
• has been authorized only for the collection and maintenance of saliva specimens as an aid in the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and
• is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of medical devices under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner.

Our at-home collection kit test offerings include simple nasal swab or saliva collection. We also have an in-office nasopharyngeal collection kit available.

For patients with health insurance, Tempus bills insurers $120 for the test. Most insurers have waived patient responsibility and copays for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. For those without insurance, testing is available and covered as part of the U.S. COVID-19 Uninsured Program. More information on this program can be found here. For patients who prefer to pay directly, the test price is $120.

Thank you for your interest. Please send a brief description of your needs to covidsupport@tempus.com, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

At this time, Tempus performs COVID-19 testing only when ordered by a healthcare provider. We are currently unable to provide tests directly to patients.

We deliver most results within 24 hours after the sample has been received in the lab. However, sometimes a delay can occur and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Once the test has been ordered by the patient’s healthcare provider, the at-home collection kit is shipped to the patient the same day or next morning via overnight delivery. We deliver most results within 24 hours after the sample has been received in the lab. Patients should not collect their sample in the evening, or on the weekend, as this may result in an inability to process the sample due to shipping delays.

While we try to process all tests as quickly as possible, periods of high demand can lead to delayed turnaround times. In addition, there are always some tests that take longer than others for reasons outside of our control, for example due to shipping delays, sample quality issues, or otherwise inconclusive results.

The Tempus COVID-19 PCR test has five possible results: Detected, Not Detected, Inconclusive, Invalid, or Rejected. The SalivaDirect™ COVID-19 PCR test has four possible results: Detected, Not Detected, Invalid, Rejected. Summary information about each test result is available in the sample reports available under the resources tab.

For additional information about known and potential risks and benefits of COVID-19 tests, please visit the FDA fact sheet for healthcare providers (Tempus) / FDA fact sheet for healthcare providers (SalivaDirect™). More guidance and information is available on the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/nCoV.

Tempus understands the urgency and importance of every test. We try to process every test as quickly as possible. At this time, we are following federal and state testing recommendations for prioritization and cannot prioritize based on individual requests.

Please provide details about the required correction to covidsupport@tempus.com.

For all other questions, please email covidsupport@tempus.com and we will respond as soon as we can.