COVID-19 Rapid Test Available at American Family Care in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD — American Family Care (AFC) announced that its West Springfield urgent-care center will offer the COVID-19 rapid test beginning today, April 13, for patients who have active symptoms and pre-qualify for testing following a virtual appointment.

“Rapid testing allows us to identify patients with the coronavirus COVID-19 faster,” said Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of AFC. “This is important for two reasons. One, patients who have minor to moderate symptoms will know to self-quarantine faster, which will help to reduce the spread of this illness. In addition, patients with more serious symptoms will be able to receive appropriate care sooner.”

A limited number of tests can be performed each day. To qualify for testing, patients must be currently symptomatic and first schedule an AFC TeleMed appointment with AFC. If they meet the criteria for testing, they will be asked to come to the AFC urgent-care center. The staff will then follow established protocols for infection control. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis.

The AFC urgent-care center at 18 Union St. in West Springfield will be open for COVID-19 testing only, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will not see walk-in patients for any other conditions on weekdays, but will be open for non-COVID-19 walk-in care on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The AFC urgent-care center at 415 Cooley St. in Springfield will be open for non-COVID-19 conditions via walk-in and AFC TeleMed Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. COVID-19 testing is not available at this location.

Again, COVID-19 testing is only available at the West Springfield location on weekdays for patients who are currently symptomatic and who obtain prior approval during an AFC TeleMed pre-screening appointment. To schedule a virtual AFC TeleMed appointment, patients can visit afcurgentcarespringfield.com and click the ‘TeleMed Appointment’ button to complete the registration form.

COVID-19 testing is covered by insurance, including MassHealth and Medicare. The virus presents with flu-like symptoms, so patients can easily mistake symptoms of the flu, or even colds or allergies, with coronavirus symptoms. However, patients who exhibit cough, high fever (over 102 F), or chest tightening should contact a doctor immediately for assessment and possible testing.