Free Antibody Testing Locations in NYC

Quick Digest:

• Antibody tests detect past infection with COVID-19. You may want to get this type of test if you would like to check if you were previously infected.
• Tests are available at NYC Health+Hospital locations for free. You can also get tested at urgent care facilities or a doctor’s office, but you may be charged between $50 and $200 if you do not have insurance.
• Mira can help individuals with or without insurance get an antibody test for free.

What is a COVID-19 antibody test? 

A COVID-19 antibody test is completed through the collection of a blood sample and checks if you have specific antibodies for SARS COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Antibodies are small proteins that are part of your immune system and help fight off infection. Antibody tests can be used to see if you were previously infected with COVID-19 and are not used to detect current infection. 

Who should get a COVID-19 antibody test?

Since antibody tests are not used to test for a current case of COVID-19, you should get a diagnostic test - PCR or antigen (rapid) test - if you are experiencing symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. 

You may want to consider getting an antibody test if you had persisting COVID-19 symptoms in the past but never received a positive PCR test. 

In addition, if you think you may have been an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19, you may want to get an antibody test. Some people may also get an antibody test if they are interested in plasma donation for individuals who are being treated for COVID-19. 

Need help figuring out what type of COVID test to get? Take our quiz on the different tests for COVID-19.

What do antibody test results mean? 

Positive results mean that you were likely previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some people may have a positive antibody test from being infected with a virus in the same family as COVID-19. 

Negative results mean that you likely were not previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. However, it typically takes the body about 1-3 weeks to develop antibodies, so you may get a negative result if you were tested too soon after infection with COVID-19. 

Important considerations about antibody tests: 

• Having antibodies for COVID-19 does not necessarily mean that you cannot contract or spread the virus. Especially with new variants circulating in the United States, it is highly important to continue wearing a mask and socially distancing even if you test positive for the antibodies.
• Antibody tests can yield false-positive and false-negative results. In certain cases, your doctor may want you to repeat an antibody test to verify results.
• It is unknown how long antibodies from COVID-19 last.