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BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
#272042
12/28/2021 02:44 PM
12/28/2021 02:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291 South Carolina
dvesc
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
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We're back from our trip, and I wanted to give an update on my experience using the BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Test for reentry into the United States. In short, it worked well, and I'd recommend it to anyone traveling. We bought four tests for three people using Optum.com. We bought the extra just in case something went wrong, but we only needed the three. The materials in the kit are essentially the same as what you'd find in the Binax tests available at Walmart. I'd used the cheaper, non-video monitored ones before, so the test itself was familiar. If you're considering this as an option and are curious, you could always just buy the $14 kit and try it out. If you're able to administer that one, you'll be fine with the other. We downloaded the Navica app and created Emed accounts before we left the United States. When it was time to test, we just logged into Emed.com on our computers. The app is one way to receive results, but they are also emailed to you, so I think it would be possible to just skip the app completely if you're not comfortable with that. I'd still recommend creating your Emed account online before leaving, though. The process of testing was very simple and a lot of guidance was provided: 1. We went to Emed.com, chose "start testing" from the home page, and then logged in using the Navica username and password we'd already created. 2. We answered a few questions about if we had an unopened test, if our hands were clean, if we had a photo ID, our airline, current location, and about the purpose of the test. 3. The next screen ensured our device was ready and tested the camera and audio on our computers. Steps 1-3 can all be done before actually talking to anyone, so you could definitely check your connection before you were ready to test. 4. Once that was done, we were connected with a representative that guided us through the test. The representative asked us to hold a QR code on the test up to the camera as well as show our ID. We then had to put the test on a flat surface and show them it was there. The next step was to actually do the test, which is all covered here: https://www.fda.gov/media/144574/download. It takes about two minutes if you've done one before. It may take a little longer if you're reading or following the on-screen instructions. 5. When the test had been administered, the representative started a 15-minute clock and then a video played about Covid while we waited. You can walk away from the screen, so you don't have to just sit there. 6. After 15 minutes, we were prompted by a beep to have the results reviewed and then clicked a button on the screen to get reconnected to a representative. 7. We then held up the tests to let them review the results and ensure the QR code matched up. Once that was done, the test was over. 8. The final step was receiving the results through email and the app. In total, all three of us were able to test and get the results within an hour. We had two people testing at the same time on two different computers and then did the third test afterward since it was for our younger son and he needed help. Had we really been trying, we probably could have done it all within 30 minutes or less. We were able to do everything from our AirBnB, and were finished by 8 a.m. the day before we left. At the airport the next day, we showed the Delta representative the negative results on the app. I think she was expecting a PDF version, which is what you receive via email, but she accepted the app results. Considering that, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the PDF version downloaded to your phone or at least easily accessible through your email. That's the only thing I would have done differently. We were not asked for any test results once we arrived in the United States.
Last edited by dvesc; 12/28/2021 04:00 PM.
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: dvesc]
#272043
12/28/2021 03:03 PM
12/28/2021 03:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,864 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,864
Central Florida!
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Thanks for the report. Since we are returning on a Monday next time, we may end up having to do this, if the testing requirement to re-enter the US is the same as now.
Carol Hill
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: dvesc]
#272047
12/28/2021 03:32 PM
12/28/2021 03:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,702 Newtown, CT
kim
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,702
Newtown, CT
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Yes! Have used them several times now to come back to the US. And also to enter the island once.
Last edited by kim; 12/28/2021 03:32 PM.
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: Mikel]
#272361
01/02/2022 09:26 AM
01/02/2022 09:26 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,864 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,864
Central Florida!
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That's good news. I have been thinking about ordering some to have, just in case, as testing is very difficult to get around here. Our next trip is in June, so we could order them and use for June if necessary. That might be the way to go.
Carol Hill
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: dvesc]
#272362
01/02/2022 09:51 AM
01/02/2022 09:51 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
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That's what I've been doing - keeping a few on the shelf. One other thing to consider is bringing a test kit to SXM with you. I've talked to a few people who have chosen to do a home test on the island before going for their official US-required return-home test, just so that they have a better idea what their official results will be.
The supply of home test kits has dried up in many areas. I don't know if this is going to be an ongoing problem, or if it is the result of extreme demand around Christmas and New Years.
Abbott's BinaxNOW is the brand that we've been talking about here, but there are others, which are in equally short supply right now. When shopping, if "collection kit" is in the product name then you'll be shipping a swab to a lab, rather than home testing.
Another thing that I've heard from people is that delivery times for test kits which are bought on the internet have been extended, beyond what they were told when they purchased. Again, I don't know if that is the result of seasonal shipping delays or extreme demand around the holidays.
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: Bahston]
#272365
01/02/2022 11:55 AM
01/02/2022 11:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291 South Carolina
dvesc
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
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That's what I've been doing - keeping a few on the shelf. One other thing to consider is bringing a test kit to SXM with you. I've talked to a few people who have chosen to do a home test on the island before going for their official US-required return-home test, just so that they have a better idea what their official results will be.
That was our plan initially. We brought a few of the cheaper Binax kits in addition to the more expensive video monitored tests. I was thinking we could all test before the official one just to know. We ended up getting colds that included Covid symptoms, so we used the tests earlier than planned. If you have access to the cheaper home tests, I recommend packing some just in case. Everyone in our family ended up using one to give us some assurance we didn’t get Covid during the trip.
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: dvesc]
#272386
01/02/2022 08:10 PM
01/02/2022 08:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 39
Tom8042
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 39
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My trip is end of January. I am bringing 6 Binax tests recommend by United for official results. As the rules stand today, these are still good for a (negative) return to the US right? Question, we are vaccinated and have boosters, so in theory we do not need a test? But we will get one anyway, is the Binax test acceptable for inbound to SXM? Link to the test purchased https://store.optum.com/shop/produc...el_ready_covid_test&utm_nooverride=1
Last edited by Tom8042; 01/02/2022 08:14 PM.
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: dvesc]
#272941
01/10/2022 02:28 PM
01/10/2022 02:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
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we took our tests today…a couple comments regarding using an iPad…my wife was using her laptop for a work meeting, so i started the test process on my ipad…creating an account was no problem using the Navica App, but when i tried starting the actual test, i was told i had to log in the eMed website using a browser…then when i tried logging in to the site, i got an error saying my browser (Google Chrome) wasn’t supported, and that i had to use Safari…so i started up Safari and was able to log in using that
everything seemed fine until i got to the “Please wait as we connect you to a certified specialist “…i waited, and i waited, and i waited….after almost an HOUR, my wife finished her meeting and then started her test using the laptop…she was connected to a specialist with no wait…lol
so after she finished her test, i used the laptop for mine, and again no wait time
so i don’t know what luck others have had using an iPad, maybe i just had a rogue connection issue, but it might be good to have access to a laptop or desktop
and we were both Negative, so no extended vacation
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: mchalem]
#273703
01/19/2022 03:58 AM
01/19/2022 03:58 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,655 United States of America
bdeeley
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,655
United States of America
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Any smart phone will work along with any tablet. You just need to be prepared in advance to have something to lean your phone against as you are swabbing yourself so that the proctoring can watch you. It just takes a little more effort.
Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
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Re: BinaxNOW Home Test Experience
[Re: mchalem]
#274244
01/26/2022 01:12 AM
01/26/2022 01:12 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,702 Newtown, CT
kim
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,702
Newtown, CT
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Question... When ordering the Abbott BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test with eMed Telehealth Services for Travel - 2 Pack I am asked several questions about my purchase. Does this mean the 2 pack test is only for one person or can I also have my wife take the other test or does she also need to buy the 2 pack test for herself?? Dumb question I guess but I don't understand the purpose of the questions before I make the purchase. Any help would be most appreciated. I would Purchase more than 2 tests for 2 people. We had an issue and our test was disqualified. (I didn’t spin the swab - just sealed it). So the agent disqualified the test and I had to start another.
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