Worried you have COVID-19? Boise and the Treasure Valley have free testing sites
As COVID-19 cases surge again in the Treasure Valley — Ada and Canyon counties reported more than 1,300 cases total on Tuesday and Wednesday — free testing sites are becoming more and more sought after.
Some locations in the Boise area offer paid PCR tests, such as five locations partnered with Saint Alphonsus, but there are places providing free tests as well.
This list will be updated by the Idaho Statesman as more information becomes available. Appointments can be made by clicking the hyperlink for the testing site.
COVID Clinic: The COVID Clinic is a nationwide drive-thru test provider and has one location in Boise, at 140 North Milwaukee St. The clinic offers diagnostic PCR tests but results take 2+ days to arrive. Insured, uninsured and undocumented patients are all eligible, but appointments are required.
Idaho One Health Network: Based in Meridian, Idaho One Health Network offers testing covered by insurance for those who are symptomatic or have been exposed. Allan Britten, business director for the network, said that they can provide results for saliva tests within 24 hours.
An appointment is required ahead of testing and all testing is done inside the car outside of Idaho One Health’s offices at 4455 South Meridian Road.
Quest Diagnostics: Through a partnership with Walmart, Quest offers tests that can detect both the omicron variant and the flu at two locations in Treasure Valley. Same-day appointments can be made at the Walmarts in Nampa at 175 South Middleton Road and in Caldwell at 622 East Ustick Road.
Only those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms may make an appointment. Anyone 2 or older is eligible.
Rite-Aid: All Rite-Aid locations in the Treasure Valley offer free drive-thru COVID-19 tests for ages 4 and older through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . Appointments are required and same-day appointments are available.
Walgreens: Twenty Walgreens sites from Boise to Caldwell offer free testing for those 3 and older. Eight of those locations offer rapid testing that provides results within 24 hours, and all 20 locations offer PCR tests that can take 2 to 5 days for results.
The eight sites with rapid testing are:
- 2285 S. Apple Street, Boise
- 4924 W. Overland Road, Boise
- 8100 Fairview Ave., Boise
- 6725 N. Glenwood St., Garden City
- 3263 N. Eagle Road, Meridian
- 1625 S. Meridian Road, Meridian
- 2219 12th Ave Road, Nampa
- 932 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa
Appointments are required and the test is self-performed via a drive-thru lane, under the direction of a pharmacy team member.
School-based testing: Students and faculty of the Boise and West Ada school districts can get free rapid antigen testing and PCR testing through a grant with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Testing for Boise School District members occurs at Grace Jordan Community Center, and first-time participants must register online before being tested. West Ada members receive testing at its district office, 1303 E Central Drive in Meridian, Monday through Thursday.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
