Govt revises COVID-19 test rates

• RT-PCR testing for samples sent by Government in private laboratories to cost Rs 1,200 per test.
• Ceiling rate for private samples in private laboratories is Rs.1,600 per test

Bengaluru, Sept 26: The state government has issued order revising the rates for RT-PCR and Raid Antigen test.

As per the new order dated September 24 rate of RT-PCR testing for the samples sent by Government in private laboratories including screening test and confirmatory test is Rs 1,200 per test inclusive of the cost of PPE kit.

Ceiling rate for private samples in private laboratories including screening test and confirmatory test is Rs.1,600 per test inclusive of the cost of PPE.

As the rates of RT-PCR reagents have come down, the Task Force Committee has now reconsidered the issue of re-fixation of rates for RT-PCR to be charged by the private laboratories and has ordered to re-fix the rate of COVID-19 testing.

Testing can be done only in the ICMR approved laboratories and all other conditions laid down by the ICMR and the State Government shall apply.

History of rate revision:

• In the order dated March 21 the government had fixed testing cost of Rs.2,250 per sample including the screening test and confirmatory test, for the samples referred by the State Government.
• On July 24 the Rate of RT-PCR testing for the samples sent by Government in private laboratories was fixed to Rs.2,OOO per test and ceiling rate for private samples in private laboratories was fixed to Rs.3,OOO per test.
• Agaon on August 17, the rate of RT-PCR testing for the samples sent by Government in private laboratories was fixed Rs.1,500 per test and Ceiling rate for private samples in private laboratories was fixed to Rs.2,500 per test inclusive of cost of PPE Kit.