West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Inc. is offering rapid PCR COVID-19 testing at five of its pharmacy locations in the Des Moines metro area. Testing will take place via an outdoor, drive-thru testing process. Patients can receive same-day test results in as few as 30 minutes (up to one day) after completing the test.
The test is available for $119 by appointment only. At this time, Hy-Vee is only accepting payment by credit or debit card at the testing site.
Testing days and hours for the rapid PCR test vary by Hy-Vee Pharmacy location:
- East Euclid Hy-Vee, 2540 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines, Iowa from noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays;
- Fleur Hy-Vee, 4605 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa from noon-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays;
- North Ankeny Hy-Vee, 410 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa from 7-9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 9-11 a.m. Saturdays;
- Waukee Hy-Vee, 1005 E. Hickman Road, Waukee, Iowa from 7-9 a.m. Mondays and Fridays and 8-10 a.m. Saturdays; and
- West Lakes Hy-Vee, 1725 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines, Iowa from noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The rapid PCR test, which detects active COVID-19 infection, is currently only available to patients ages 5+ at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations. Patients ages 18+ can administer the test themselves, while testing for patients ages 5-17 should be administered by a parent or legal guardian.
Patients can begin registering for an appointment today. To register for an appointment and to receive a test voucher, visit hy-vee.com/covidtesting and select the rapid PCR test option. Patients must provide the requested information to receive a test voucher number, testing site and appointment time. Testing areas will be located outside in designated Hy-Vee parking lot locations for patients to drive up to without leaving their vehicle.
Hy-Vee Pharmacy staff members will provide patients with the test kit, provide instructions on how to self-administer the test and supervise the administration of the test. Patients will then drop off their completed kit in a collection bin.
During the testing process, patients must wear a mask and will be asked to lower it beneath their nose during the test. After testing is complete, results will be sent to the patient via email.
Hy-Vee also offers additional COVID-19 diagnostic testing options available at select locations including a free lab test (molecular PCR) with results usually available in three to five business days and a rapid antigen test with results available in as few as one to two hours. Rapid antibody testing that detects for past COVID-19 infection is also available at select Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations with results available in as few as 15 minutes.
Hy-Vee plans to expand the rapid PCR testing to additional locations across its eight-state region in the following weeks.
