COVID-19 PCR testing:
Powered by Switch Health
Medcan has teamed up with Switch Health, a leader in COVID-19 testing, to provide fast, safe and reliable testing—including same- or next-day results.*
Whether you’ve been advised to get tested by your employer, have an upcoming surgery, are planning to travel, or want to visit a loved one at a nursing home, if you’re asymptomatic, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can identify if you currently have the COVID-19 virus.
A PCR test is a molecular test that uses a nasal swab to determine if you’re currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.
If in the last 14 days you have had no COVID-19 symptoms, zero close contact with someone who has, and haven’t travelled outside of the country, we welcome you to book a PCR test on-site at Medcan or in-home. If you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please visit a COVID-19 assessment centre.
Medcan members enjoy a preferred price of $162 +HST (standard price: $180 +HST) if taken on-site at Medcan and $250 +HST (standard price: $278 +HST) if taken at home**.
A trusted laboratory partner will run the swab on a standard PCR testing machine that’s approved by Health Canada, then upload your results to the Switch Health Patient Portal. To register your account prior to testing, click here.
When your test results are available, you’ll be notified via text message. If your test results are positive, you’ll receive a phone call from a Switch Health physician who will notify your local Public Health Unit on your behalf.
If you require PCR testing to travel outside of Canada, we’ll help you meet your destination country’s COVID-19 travel clearance requirements—with a wet signature from one of Switch Health’s physicians, a copy of your test results with your passport number (optional), and/or the option of a nasopharyngeal or bilateral anterior nasal collection method.
PCR testing is currently available at provincial COVID-19 assessment centres for individuals who meet certain conditions as outlined by the Province, including those who wish to visit long-term care homes. Since these conditions may change, we suggest you refer to the Government of Ontario website for more information.
*Medcan clients will be required to register for the Switch Health Patient Portal to allow for the requisition of their PCR test, and for results reporting. Same- or next-day reporting of test results is provided solely through the Switch Health portal, and results will be shared before 11:59 p.m. the following day. There may be circumstances which are out of Medcan’s and Switch Health’s control where laboratory turnaround times are greater than next day. On such rare occurrences, Medcan will not provide reimbursements for late results, although we will make every effort to notify you of such delays. Rare occurrences include inconclusive results where multiple testing is required, and where the viral load is too low to detect. In the event that you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by a physician from Switch Health to discuss your results and next steps. Switch Health uses a test approved by Health Canada. The test provides a relative measure of viral quantity in a specimen. In the event that you test positive and the quantity reported is lower, certain Public Health units may require a confirmatory test
**A mileage-based surcharge will be applied to in-home appointments that take place outside the Greater Toronto Area. We require 48 hours’ notice to book in-home PCR tests.