Northwell Health Labs has made COVID-19 testing simple with LabGold. LabGold is 99% sensitive and better than 99% specific—which means you get earlier and more reliable results than at-home antigen tests, in just 24-72 hours from receipt in lab. Know your COVID-19 status before gathering with friends and family. If you are symptomatic, you can use LabGold to test for COVID-19 and flu (types A and B). You never need an appointment—and the process is easy.
If you have concerns or questions, please email [email protected].
- Register at our online portal by answering a few simple questions and providing your email, cell phone and insurance information.
- Pick up a LabGold collection kit with instructions or drop off your specimen at one of our many convenient patient service centers. Please note that the centers are for pickup and drop-off only—no testing should be done in waiting areas.
- Once you get your collection kit, scan the QR code included with the kit with your mobile device, or click “register now” at the top of this page and follow the instructions.
- After scanning your tube as instructed, you will receive a text message confirming that your scan was successful.
- Drop your specimen off at a staffed patient service center or at one of our 24/7 LabGold drop boxes. We have 24-hour drop boxes at 1111 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park, at entrances 4 and H. Please note specimens must be dropped off in specimen bags.
- You’ll receive a text notification when your specimen arrives in the lab and another when your results are ready within 24-72 hours of arrival. Click the link in the text and your results will be sent to you via emailed PDF report.
Get more information on LabGold™ testing for your business, school or community event.
Watch a brief video to see just how easy it is to get fast results with LabGold™.
Frequently asked questions
All you need to know about LabGold
What is the accuracy of the LabGold testing platform?
This new platform delivers results with 99% accuracy.
Are the LabGold swabs safe?
Yes, LabGold swabs are Xpress Collect made by Steripack USA. These swabs are sterilized with gamma radiation and not with chemicals. This means they are the safest swabs on the market.
Do you need to be experiencing symptoms to complete a self-test?
Both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals may test for COVID-19 with LabGold. Flu A/B testing is for symptomatic individuals only.
Can I pick up LabGold testing kits to take home for friends or family members?
You can receive up to three kits for you and your immediate family members per visit.
Where do I go to drop off a LabGold tube once I complete the self-swab?
You may pick up and drop off at a designated patient service center. We also have 24-hour drop boxes located at 1111 Marcus Avenue near entrance 4 and 450 Lakeville Road near entrance H. Please note that the centers are for pick up and drop off only—no testing should be done in the waiting areas.
How do I get my test results?
After you scan your specimen bar code and submit it at a testing station, you will receive a text informing you that your specimen has been linked to your registration. You will then receive a text that your specimen has been received in the lab 24 to 48 hours after scanning and submitting your specimen. You will also receive a text when your results are available—48 to 72 hours after your specimen is received in the lab. Click the link in the text and then click “next” to initiate an email with results to be sent to you from [email protected].
Northwell’s Patient Access Services will also call you with your results.
Will my results be reported to the state?
Yes, results are being reported to the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reports System (ECLRS).
How old must a child be to test with LabGold?
LabGold is for use by individuals 16 years or older (self-collected), or 2 years and older (collected with adult assistance, including adults who require support).
On my result report, why does the reference range read “not detected” and my result says “detected”?
The reference range indicates the normal value of not detected. Not detected is the normal value in the range versus detected, which is the abnormal value in the range. If your result is detected in red, that means you are COVID-19-positive.
I incorrectly entered my name or date of birth when I registered. What do I do now?
Create a new profile under your account and enter the correct information. Both profiles will now be entered under your mobile phone number/account. You may also opt to email [email protected] to have your incorrect account deactivated.
I accidentally scanned a sample under the wrong participant. Can this be corrected?
No, we cannot alter an official laboratory report. We recommend retesting for the individuals who were incorrectly selected. Please be sure to carefully select the correct participant profile before scanning the corresponding tube.
Why did I receive more than one result on the same person under my account? For example, I tested myself and my wife and the results came back with my wife’s name on both of them.
When you scanned the tubes, you scanned the tubes using the same participant profile. As the tubes were both scanned under the same person, both results are associated with that participant. We recommend retesting for the individuals who were incorrectly selected. Please be sure to carefully select the correct participant profile before scanning the corresponding tube.
I created an account, but when I showed up to the testing station and scanned the QR code, it says I don’t have an account. What happened?
You likely created an account under a different QR code than what is at the testing station you visited. Most organizations and some testing stations have a unique QR code that corresponds to the LabGold Health Portal. Each mass testing site had a designated QR code, but all accounts have now been merged with LabGold Nation to avoid this account issue. When you log in under LabGold Nation (if you created an account under any of the mass testing sites), your account will be found. All of our mobile testing units have the LabGold Nation QR code.
I don’t have insurance. Will I receive a bill?
No, there is no out-of-pocket cost for LabGold, and you will not receive a bill.
I can’t scan the QR code. How can I access LabGold?
There are several options:
- Close your camera app and reopen it. If you still can’t scan, type in the website link to your browser.
- Type the URL address into your browser.
- Open your Chrome browser and use the QR code feature:
- Click in the search/type URL box.
- Your keyboard will open, click the QR code icon on the top of the keyboard.
- Scan the LabGold QR code.
- When the URL pops up in the search/type URL box, click “go” or “enter” on your keyboard to proceed to the LabGold URL.
- If the QR code doesn't work, you can also sign in with your cell phone number.
How long does the actual LabGold testing process take?
As long as you register in advance, once you are at the testing station it’s only a matter of swabbing, scanning and placing your tube in the rack. This will take only a few minutes.
After I swab, how long is the specimen good for?
LabGold specimens are stable at room temperature for up to seven days. We strongly encourage participants to submit their specimen immediately after swabbing.
I tested all of my family members at the same time, but some have gotten their results and some have not. When can I expect these outstanding results?
It’s completely normal to receive only some results when several individuals have tested. Please allow a 48-72 hour turnaround for all samples once they are received in the lab.
I have a detected result. What do I do now?
If you have any questions about your results, diagnosis or treatment, please contact your primary care doctor or your local health department for the latest guidelines.
My job is asking me for a letter of clearance. Can you provide this?
No, Northwell Health Labs does not provide letters of clearance. Please contact your primary care doctor for a letter of clearance.
Where can I get more information?
If you have additional questions, or need more information about LabGold, email [email protected].