TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beware Walgreens test on the weekend!

We took our Covid tests on Saturday and have been waiting for results. It turns out that the lab has not even RECEIVED our tests yet, and there is no guarantee that we will even get them in time.
They said the samples weren't even MAILED until last evening. Walgreens was extremely unhelpful, just said they didn't do testing for travel. Looking now for an antigen test that I can take and get immediate results..

What about purchasing the Binax COVID test kit that is now accepted for international travel? Maybe some CVS stores have those in stock. But, it appears you have to notify your primary care physician's office and let them know you are using this kit so they can certify the results. Just 'spitballing' here.

I don't know what to do. I found one place that we can go and spend $179 EACH for a one hour test. I don't know how to get that other Binax now test, as the one is not acceptable, that they carry at CVS, or whatever.

I am soooooo sorry to hear of the problems you're having. I can't wait for this sh** to over with.

Good luck and let us know when you arrive on the island.

I told the person when we took the test that we were leaving on Thursday and she said it was no problem, we would have the results in plenty of time.. Making a reservation for the antigen test for
tomorrow and hope that we don't need it. This absolutely sucks.

Carol,

We ran into a somewhat similar situation .in April with our local hospital lab failing to pass our samples to the main lab for testing. At the point we discovered this we didn’t have enough time left for the original testing.

A few phone calls later Kim found an urgent care facility locally that allowed walk-ins with fifteen minute turn around. We had originally booked our appointments for the rt-PCR test but due to the errors made by the local lab we had the rapid antigen test done at urgent care and walked out with printed results in hand. Uploaded without issue and we were good to go.

The urgent care facility accepted our MediCare card but I haven’t seen anything from the carrier as to whether or not they paid it since it was for travel as opposed to Covid concerns. I’m betting you understand what I was whining about when I was so stressed out before our April trip and I’m so sorry you have to go through this. It really does put a bit of a damper on the planning and anticipation stages of the trip.

Good luck. 🙂🙂

Do you have any walk in medical clinics? Like AFC or something like that?

Carol, we did an antibody test at cvs $38 and had results in 10 minutes. Here they have appointment times open every day, probably same there. They give you a report there and it's accessible online.

Pat--the only place I have found so far I can get an appointment, you have to go BACK to pick up printed results, and it is an hour one WAY from our house...

How ridiculous !!
This should never happen.
It does suck!!!

Can't wait to see your first post opening a bottle of wine at BSV!!!

Found another place, that is $150 and will NOT accept insurance at all. Have an appointment there late this afternoon.

ANTIBODY tests are useless. It has to be a PCR test or an ANTIGEN test.

What's the chances of waiting there for the results? Sometimes that will speed up the process. Either that or a nice leisurely lunch in the area (or breakfast, coffee, snack, etc.?) and just wait out the hour. Personally, I think at the point you're at, I'd wait there since they usually have chairs for those waiting for their Rx - bring a book and get comfy? This whole process stinks but sadly, it is what it is and for now, all we can do is deal with it.

Pat--we are both working and having obligations here. All these places are a minimum one hour away from here.

Carol. There is a Wahgreen number to the Lab to call on your test appointment form. I had to call it when my results didn't come after my wife and travel friends did. They took the test same time I did. Results were available and they sent email PDF immediatly. Might want to try that number if it's on your reservation paper. Good luck.

By any chance, is there an option of getting tested at the airport?

Scubaman--My test has never even been RECEIVED at the lab. The local Walgreens said that they did not even go out in the mail until last evening. As of 5 minutes ago, they are still not even showing up as having been received.

Terri--that doesn't help me even if they have it there, as I can't get approval from SXM.

Ouch. If all goes well you should have time. We took our test mid afterneen on a Monday for our Friday/Saturday redeye flight. I finally got my results Wedensday morning. EHAS took about 1 hour for mine to come back approved. Fingers crossed for you two.

Right!

Hopefully, you will hear this morning!!!!.

I get it, Carol, but if it were me, I'd find a way to work around us both working and obligations if it meant a trip or not! Can you reschedule your obligations and/or work late to compensate for the time spent getting the reports? There's got to be a way.......

We will do what we have to do, but this should not be this hard.

I agree, ABSOLUTELY, but sadly, for some of us it is. All we can do is deal with it as best we can - whatever than takes or pass on the trip. I'm not into passing.......

Carol, if you get online and order that BinaxNow out from Emed, they overnight the kits. tomorrow you both could do the tests at home and have your results in less than 30 minutes. 6 tests for $150. Than pack 2 of the extra tests and you can do them for your re-entry. Just a thought.

bdeeley==at this point, we have written off the Walgreens thing and hopefully everything will go OK with our appointments this afternoon.

Oh man, what a pain! I hope it all works out and you are soon in your happy place with toes in the sand.

Ok, good luck. Emed, is separate from Walgreens. You would not be dealing with Walgreens in any way. Just keep it in mind if you run into any additional problems. Emed.com

bdeeley--sorry no way I am doing anything mail order at this point.

Angelface--thanks.

Carol, it's a good time to think about your return test. We did not want to pay, but decided the peace of mind that scheduling a test in advance at Mediwork was totally worth it. We just got an early appointment and had our results just before our Zee best breakfast got to the table. The time slots fill up pretty quickly so the earlier scheduled the better.

We wish you a wonderful trip!

Oh, we have already decided to do the Medwork thing on the return trip. I don't know whether to go ahead and make the reservation before we leave home or not. Still spazzing out over this end..

Carol,

For what it's worth, we booked our MedWorks appointment for coming home on line prior to even heading down to the island. That was the easy test to handle and if I were going again any time soon, that's probably what I would do again. You can always cancel and get a refund if you decide on something better while there.

I'm glad everything else has been resolved. And once again I'll wish you a happy trip. Enjoy your time as we know you will.

Everything else resolved?? Nothing has gotten resolved yet, other than I have written off Walgreens. We are supposed to have an appointment this afternoon for our tests, but I am not certain of anything at this point. Eric wants to wait to make the appointment for the return test till we get there.

Did you consider looking for an AFC walk-in clinic? Also - I wouldn’t wait too long. To make the medwork appointments. I get waiting. But once you get your EHAS approval and are definitely going, I would go online and make the medwork apt. They only do so many a day.

Where I'm going is a walk in clinic, yes. I don't know what an AFC walk in clinic is.

Yeah, I’m not sure what AFC is either?

Most walk-in clinics here are Patient First.

What is this MedWorks of which you speak?

Maybe get a Xanax ‘script while you’re there? Lol.

BeachKitten--Medworks does testing in SXM, for return to the US. And Xanax sounds like an EXCELLENT idea!

I am sorry to hear of your dilemma. It this is exactly why we chose not to travel after 15 yrs. We love SXM. But now with many people vaccinated, that should be all you need to travel. Hence, we are going to the Bahamas. Fill out health form and show Covid Card and you are good to go. Hopefully the SXM government will have their act together next year. If not, I don’t see how the country will survive.

In RI we had no problem getting covid travel test at Walgreens. Got email results in 24 hours.

Of course we are the first ones that seem to have had a problem with it..