Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
I Don’t Have Insurance. Can I Still Get Tested For Coronavirus?

We’re asking public health officials and experts to answer your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep in mind that this information does not constitute professional medical advice. For questions regarding your own health, always consult a physician.
An anonymous audience member has been exhibiting symptoms similar to those commonly associated with COVID-19, and they wanted to know: “I don't have insurance at the moment since I don’t have a job yet. Can I get tested?”
Here’s an explanation from Annette Sy, chief nursing officer at Keck Medical Center. She’s working with the hospital’s command center to help prepare it for the COVID-19 outbreak:
“Their options are still to reach out to their care provider. To understand better if they need to be tested or not, is the first thing they should do. I would start first with your care provider. Call in… many care providers are doing telemedicine visits. They will screen you at that point to see what symptoms you’re having. Many patients with COVID-19 can be cared for at home. If you can speak to the doctor or the nurse over the phone, [then] maybe they can set up a telemedicine visit for you and start with that… Many physicians and facilities are not charging [for this service]. I can’t speak for everybody. But please just start off with your care provider.”
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
- Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
- Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
- Have A Question? We Will Answer It
SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT COVID-19
We're all living through this extraordinary and frightening pandemic. The vast majority of our newsroom has been working from home (here's some advice on that) since March 11 to bring you calm, helpful reporting. We are answering your questions and taking more.
We're here to help. And if you can help support that effort financially, we'd be grateful.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletter for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Support our free, independent journalism today. Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?