TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sorry, another COVID testing question

Hi. We are arriving this Friday. Today I tried finding a place to get the rt-pct test. A couple of places I called didn’t know what an rt-pcr test was. They offered a pcr test that was good for travel. I’m confused about what type of test to get now. Are there 2 different pcr tests or is what they’re calling pcr actually the rt-pcr? Thanks for any guidance you can give based on experience.

My husband and I are arriving on Saturday and have appts to get pcr test at cvs on Monday. Hoping to get the results back by Tuesday or Wednesday and if there are any problems with the test, we will still have time to get the 48 hour antigen test prior to the Saturday flight.

I feel your pain. This is way more confusing than it needs to be, but presently it is still representative of the level of confusion that reigns with international travel. A "rt-PCR" test is considered to be the most sensitive of all of COVID-19 tests, with the 'rt' meaning 'reverse transcription.' I'm not going to delve into the details of this test, because it is explained on several websites in complete detail, but like any type of COVID-19 test it can fail to detect the virus is some situations. The PCR test is a type of rapid COVID-19 test that is typically just as accurate as the rt-PCR test, and is acceptable for entry back into the United States. As of 4/1/21, if traveling to St. Martin from the United States all you should need is a negative PCR test performed within 120 hours of your departure to SXM. Personally, I would avoid any place that does't now what a rt-PCR test is and suggest finding a place this week who can do the PCR test and get the results to you before you depart.

I could be wrong, but I thought I read on this forum that someone had their EHAS application denied because the test they submitted was not designated as an rt-PCR on their lab report....just a PCR test.

We are scheduled Monday for ours. 🤞

I found this article from april 2021 travel and leisure that explains the difference between covid tests. My understanding is that if the pcr covid test is being sent to a lab for processing results, then it’s considered a rt-pcr test. Please correct me if I am am wrong.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/covid-test-types-pcr-antigen-antibody

Hi All, Thank you for your replies. The place that didn't know what a rt-pcr test was Mt Sinai urgent care. That surprised me. The first place was an urgent care facility that said they don't do the rt-pcr just pcr. This is what led me to my initial confusion. We're going to get a just plain pcr test on Tuesday with results coming in on Wednesday and filling out the EHAS application. If we get denied then we'll need to go one of these medical offices/stores that are popping up all over Manhattan that provide all kinds of COVID test, including specifically the rt-pcr test, but at nearly $200 pp, I hope it doesn't come to that. I'll update the post when this is all done to, hopefully, clear up some of the confusion regarding what test gets accepted.

A bit of science, but here it is. https://www.enzolifesciences.com/sc...es-between-pcr-rt-pcr-qpcr-and-rt-qpcr?/

Just get a rapid antigen test. Done in 15 mins. Need to get the test no more 48 hours prior to departure .Cheaper and we were approved for entry to Sint Maarten in late March.

My son and his wife were charged $700 each for their PCR tests. They live on Long Island and don’t have health insurance. This seems like way too much.

$700 doesn't just seem to much it's highway robbery. You sure you didn't mean $70?

We used CVS test and went thru easily on Saturday. Airport was a breeze. Just make sure you print out copies of the test and ehas conditional approval

What!? $1,400 total. Don't you love health care costs in the U.S.! The maximum anyone should pay for even the most advanced COVID-19 test should be no greater than $200. Period. With or without health insurance. Can just imagine what that lab must be charging insurance providers. I suppose if people are willing to pay this, they're going to keep preying on folks. Did they try shopping around? Presently 69 percent of the nation's largest hospitals and medical centers charge less than $200 for a PCR test, with a median price of $148 as of April 28th. However, outside of medicare and medicaid there are no cost regulations regarding these tests, but there should be.

When I had COVID symptoms in December, the local urgent care charged a total of $843 but Medicare only paid them $246 with no additional cost to me.

When I went again after my 4th day home (as per NY guidelines), even though I had just passed a PCR test in SXM a week prior, they charged $718 and received $198 from Medicare.

Part of the scam is that they charge for both the lab and the NP. And if your antigen test is negative, they send an additional swab to the lab for a PCR test, even though the state does not require it. Said it was due to the number of false negative results from the antigen tests.

Thank god for insurance.

WOW, our drive up tests in Florida are free but we must supply our Medicare number. I can get both the antigen test(15 minutes result) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 24 to 48 hours by email. However, a friend up north paid $100 and another paid $200. $700 dollars seems too high.
SXM requires the PCR test? Why does SXM not accept the simple nasal swab for the antigen test or proof of vaccination?
The PCR test was perform from a blood sample.

I thought the PCR test is perform from blood taken from the individual.

Paul--the antigen test is acceptable for SXM, just within 48 hours, not 120 hours, like for a PCR test. And no, a PCR test was always a nasal swab, not a blood test.

I think you have that confused with a DNA test.

How is the COVID-19 antibody test conducted?

To conduct an antibody test for COVID-19 , typically a health care professional takes a blood sample, usually by a finger prick or by drawing blood from a vein in your arm. Then the sample is tested in a lab to determine whether you've developed antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.

When I was tested for COVID, a nasal sample ( test results in 15 minutes)and a blood sample was taken by drawing blood, ( test results within three days).

My question is that you only need the test performed by a nasal swab to get into SXM?

Don't know. Didn't have antibody test. Had the rt-PCR test.

Thanks Carol, PCR test by using a nasal sample is required for entry into SXM. The antibody test by testing a blood sample is not required for entry into SXM.

Don't confuse antibody with antigen. Two different tests, testing for two different things.

Paul--Yes, I think you were originally confusing an ANTIBODY test with an ANTIGEN test..