Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to many of the questions we frequently receive. If you don’t see an answer to your question, contact us.
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General
ClearMD’s Midtown East location is open Monday through Saturday from 8AM-7PM. Beginning in February, the Midtown East location will be open Monday-Friday from 8AM-7PM. ClearMD’s NoHo location is open every day – weekdays from 8AM-7PM and weekends from 9AM-5PM.
You can book an appointment online at any of our convenient locations in NYC or you can walk in for care… we are here to accommodate you!
Ensuring that patients receive their results in a timely manner is of the utmost importance at ClearMD. If your results are late, you are entitled to a full refund. To request a refund, send an email to [email protected] with your name, type of test, appointment time and date and the reason for the refund.
All appointment types can be rescheduled with no penalty charge or fee. Rescheduling must occur prior to the appointment. You must reschedule through the confirmation email that you received when you booked the appointment.
No. Walk in or book an appointment. We’ll take care of the rest.
Billing
We accept most forms of insurance including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Healthfirst, Humana, Magnacare, Medicaid, Medicare, Metroplus, Multiplan, 1199SEIU and Railroad – and the list is growing! Certain ClearMD providers are also in-network with other carriers, like Tricare and United – so just ask at the time of your visit or call ahead and we’ll ensure you get the maximum value of your coverage.
An in-network provider has an agreement with the insurance company resulting in fewer out-of-pocket expenses. An out-of-network provider does not have an agreement with the insurance company and fees are billed to the insurance company at full price.
You may be eligible to be seen out-of-network depending on your insurance plan. Some plans allow for out-of-network benefits. Please reach out to your carrier to determine if you are covered.
Because insurance policies can differ significantly, it’s important to check with your carrier for accurate information regarding your coverage. Before scheduling an appointment online, ask your carrier (or look online) to confirm the specifics of your coverage.
After your insurance carrier has processed your claim, ClearMD will send you a billing statement via email. Additionally, you have the option to monitor your billing information through the Healow portal. It’s important to note that you may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider before receiving your statement from ClearMD. However, it’s recommended to wait for your ClearMD statement before making any inquiries regarding your bill.
A deductible is the initial amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins to cover costs. Once you have paid your deductible, coinsurance comes into play. Coinsurance refers to the percentage of the medical costs that you are responsible for paying after your deductible has been met.
Yes, ClearMD offers a flexible payment option through a buy now/pay later program. Click here for more information.
Payments can be made either by calling 844-MDCLEAR or by accessing your Healow portal, which can be found in the top right corner of our website.
Most insurance providers have expanded their coverage to include telehealth consultations, which are billed at the same rate as traditional in-office visits. This offers the convenience of not having to physically visit the office. It is advisable to contact your insurance carrier or check their website for specific coverage details before booking a telehealth appointment.
The balance owed for each visit varies based on the contracted rates agreed upon with your insurance plan and the type of services provided. While basic primary care office visits are generally covered, additional charges may arise from procedures, vaccinations, or lab work conducted at ClearMD. To ensure the efficient processing of your claim, it’s essential to verify that the insurance information provided at the time of your visit is up-to-date and accurate.
Don’t worry – ClearMD is proud to offer interest free payment plans. Please call our billing team at (646) 249-9333 or click here to find out more.
Insurance plans vary, and your coverage depends on your specific policy. While most tests are covered by insurance, you may want to contact your insurance carrier to ensure coverage before having your test done.
Yes. We accept cash and all major credit cards.
Weight Loss
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist originally used to manage type 2 diabetes. Recent research shows it’s also highly effective for weight loss. It works by mimicking a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate your appetite and blood sugar levels. In studies, patients taking semaglutide lost significantly more weight than those using other weight loss methods.
There is basically no difference between semaglutide, Wegovy and Ozempic. While Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names of a specific distribution, semaglutide is the generic name. Both Wegovy and Ozempic are marketed products that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. While the dose or the way that the medication is administered may be different, they are both GLP-1 receptor agonists that are useful in treating obesity.
Semaglutide works by activating the body’s GLP-1 receptors. This helps the body to lower blood sugar levels and also helps to increase the production of insulin, which leads to reduced appetite and increased feelings of satiety (fullness).
Usually semaglutide is administered through subcutaneous (under the skin) injection that occurs weekly, but this can vary depending on a particular patient’s medical situation.
While taking semaglutide is generally safe, it may interact with certain medications, particularly diabetes drugs like insulin. Therefore it is important to discuss any medications you may be taking with your provider, especially if you are taking such medications.
The most common side effects include headache, fatigue, dizziness and injection site reactions. Other common side effects include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and mild stomach pain. More serious side effects include kidney problems, allergic reaction and pancreatitis, but these side effects are generally rare.
Your insurance may cover your visits and medication. We’ll work with you to see if you qualify and make sure you are pre-authorized before your weight loss journey begins. We accept many types of insurance, including Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Multiplan and more.
We accept insurance, but it isn’t required. If your insurance doesn’t cover your medication or visit, we’ll work with you to find the best path forward. If you need alternative medications or you prefer to purchase your medication directly from us, we’ll find the right plan for you.
Whether it’s Ozempic, Wegovy or other semaglutide-based medications, we’ll find the right one for you. If you’re not covered for one, we’ll explore every alternative. When you qualify, we’ll even find the best way to get it to your doorstep. Please remember, GLP-1 medication is not part of the program cost and is billed separately.
Vitamin Infusion Therapy
IV infusions are an intravenous form of hydration and nutrition therapy. They replenish your body’s essential vitamins and nutrients and also supplement what you already have.
IV therapy is the fastest way to achieve maximum hydration and relief, as it allows for a greater liquid absorption than traditional methods. Oral supplements are slow to reach your bloodstream, while infusion therapy allows the needed vitamins, minerals or supplements to enter into your bloodstream directly for maximum effect. Your GI tract is completely bypassed so you get relief in minutes, not hours.
Of course. All of our products are fully tested and FDA approved, and they are administered by trained professionals.
Almost all healthy adults are eligible for and can benefit from IV therapy and boost infusions. If you need immediate relief, choose your infusion and get started today.
STI & STD Testing
We now offer STI testing at all of our locations.
Our in-house laboratory processes samples daily except for Herpes Simplex Virus I and II (HSV). HSV is outsourced to a partner laboratory and usually requires an additional 1 to 3 days. Unfortunately, our partner lab does not process samples over the weekend, meaning if you test on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday for HSV, your results will not be ready until Monday at the earliest.
Our chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichonomiasis tests are routinely conducted using urine specimens, and require that you avoid urinating for a minimum of 1 hour before your scheduled exam. In the event that you are unable to urinate, our provider’s can perform an urethral or rectal swab if needed. Our HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C tests are conducted using a fingerprick, similar to a blood glucose reading. Our Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) I and II, and Hepatitis B tests require a venous blood draw and are sent out to a partner laboratory for processing.
We process our chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis samples using molecular-based technique (polymerase chain reaction), and is the gold-standard for testing. Our HIV and syphilis tests are ran on highly sensitive (99% and 95% respectively), lateral-flow immunoassays. Herpes simplex virus samples are outsourced to a partner laboratory that detects antibodies to the virus at a rate that is more than 99% sensitive and specific. Should you test positive for HIV or syphilis on our rapid immunoassay, you may be required to return to the clinic for a venous blood draw for confirmatory testing.
You will receive your results by e-mail as a .pdf attachment. Should you have any concerning positive results, our provider will also give you a call by telephone.
ClearMD is happy to provide treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HSV, syphilis, and UTIs. We will advise and refer those who test positive for gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV to a primary care provider, urgent care facility, or infectious disease expert.
All our samples, except for Herpes Simplex Virus I and II (HSV), are processed in our own laboratory. This means we are able to turn-around results quicker than most STI clinics in New York City! All tests that do not include HSV will be reported within 24 hours. Our “Full Panel” tests include HSV, so these results will be returned within 1-3 days.
If you have tested positive for syphilis before, make sure to accurately fill out the intake form declaring such, and please tell the provider when you are getting tested the same. This way, ClearMD can measure other methods of an active infection other than looking for the antibodies to the bacteria. Typically active infection is ruled out with RPR titers.
If you have tested positive for syphilis before, make sure to accurately fill out the intake form declaring such, and please tell the provider when you are getting tested the same. This way, ClearMD can measure other methods of an active infection other than looking for the antibodies to the bacteria. Typically active infection is ruled out with RPR titers.
Yes! As stated above, it is important to avoid urination 1 hour before your test. Additionally, you will be asked to provide a “first-catch” sample. A “first-catch” sample involves collecting the urine that first exits the urethra upon voiding, and is critical for accurate results. We need to collect a “first-catch” sample because it contains the most bacteria in your urinary tract. Don’t worry, your ClearMD provider will remind you of this during your in-person consultation.
We are often asked: “How soon is too soon to be tested for a sexually transmitted infection?” This will depend on the test that is being administered. But generally speaking, the body’s immune system needs a certain period of time, or incubation period, to recognize a new infection and produce a response. For chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, this time period is anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after exposure. For herpes simplex virus I and II, the average time is around 2 weeks. HIV, however, can take up to 3 months before any antibodies are produced. Regardless of the STI, if you are actively showing symptoms then you should be tested immediately.
Again, this answer will vary from person to person, and depend on the STI of concern. Although you may feel like you have “wasted” a visit in being tested too early, the truth is, it is never a bad idea to have a “baseline” test. This way, providers can detect any changes in results down the road. If you feel like you have tested too soon, speak with one of our providers to determine when a good time is to return.
COVID-19 Testing
We run the “gold standard” RT-qPCR diagnostic test to detect SARS-CoV-2. We do not run analyses on antibody test samples.
The lab has earned a high-complexity Federal CLIA Certification and New York State.
We follow a protocol designed for high-throughput sample reformatting, RNA extraction, and RT-PCR using a heavily automated robotic workflow analogous to the standard CDC protocol. The test pipeline consists of the following steps: 1) Clinical specimens are put into a laboratory convection oven to inactivate potential viruses. 2) Samples are automatically transferred into a 96-well sample block. 3) Automated RNA extraction is performed. 4) RT-PCR is performed on extracted RNA to detect possible SARS-CoV2 infection.
ClearMD utilizes an assay called real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in patient’s samples. Using primers directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can amplify and detect even tiny quantities of the virus’s RNA.
All of the control test results are examined prior to the interpretation of a patient’s results. If control results are invalid, the patient results cannot be interpreted. A cycle threshold (Ct) of less than 40 is required for a detected sample for either the N1 or N2 assays. Samples resulting in the detection of either the N1 or N2 assays are considered positive.
Positive PCR control Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA is used as a positive control. Control reactions are run with synthetic RNA near the RT-PCR Level of Detection (LoD). These controls are added directly to the PCR plate. Human Ribonuclease P (RNase P) cDNA is also added to each of these controls. Each positive PCR control is included with each RT-PCR run as a single reaction. Negative PCR control Certified RNase/DNase-Free water is used as a negative control. The water is added directly to the PCR plate and is included with each RT-PCR and runs as a single reaction. Internal PCR/Positive extraction control Each clinical sample is subjected to the detection of a human gene, RNase P, which is expected to be present in each sample. This control is internal to each individual reaction. Negative Extraction control VTM or DNA/RNA shield containing no virus or human cells is used as a negative extraction control. This control is included in each extraction run and proceeds through the entire test pipeline through RT-PCR detection.
When a healthcare provider orders a COVID-19 diagnostic test, the results of the test will be used to confirm or rule out an upper or lower respiratory tract disorder. For added safety, ClearMD uses a multiplex assay for the detection of multiple viruses:
The COVID-Flu Multiplex Assay is a real-time RT-PCR assay intended for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, RSV, influenza A virus, and/or influenza B viruses.
Nucleic acid from influenza A, influenza B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses is generally detectable in anterior nasal swab specimens during the acute phase of infection.
This test uses anterior nasal swab specimens collected from individuals suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19.
Positive results are indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2, RSV, influenza A and/or influenza B nucleic acid but do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other pathogens not detected by the test.
We place our extraction LoD at or below 200 viral copies/mL. The specific LoD was further evaluated by performing 20 replicate extractions at each of four virus dilutions in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) around the putative initial LOD from the first triplicate experiment. SARS-CoV-2 was successfully detected in 20/20 (100%) replicates at 200 viral copies/mL. I work for a hospital or other testing facility interested in learning more, what should I do? Email [email protected] to talk to a specialist.
We bring COVID tests directly to your home, clinic, or business. We make things easier by offering you a professional courier service for specimen collection and supply delivery designed around your practices’ needs. Our concierge team is highly trained, discrete, and will schedule and dispatch our medical team when and where you need us, even for last-minute travel arrangements. ClearMD has two options for payment, self-pay or [insurance]. See scheduling page for more details.
Our turnaround times begin when the sample is collected.
24 hour PCR Test: Results are delivered within 24 hours from time of test. Less than 16 hour PCR Test: Results are delivered within 16 hours from time of test. 60 Minute PCR Test: Results are delivered within 60 minutes from the time that the sample is collected. Antigen Test: Results are delivered 30 minutes from the time the sample is collected.
ClearMD provides COVID-19 testing for patients who have been confirmed or potentially exposed to COVID-19. The results provided for these tests are suitable for travel purposes, however, we do not test solely for travel purposes.
The federal government officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on April 11, 2023. This means that both individual and group plans are no longer required to cover COVID-19 tests and testing-related services without cost sharing, prior authorization or other medical management requirements. As coverage may differ between insurance carriers and plans, ClearMD can no longer guarantee that your insurance will cover the cost of any COVID-related tests, including rapid antigen, PCR, or Multiplex 4-in-1 PCR tests. We suggest that you contact your insurance provider before your visit to confirm that they will cover the cost of both your test and your visit (the medical evaluation is a required part of the COVID-19 test).
A positive result indicates the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. However, clinical correlations with a patient’s history and other diagnostic information are necessary to confirm a patient’s infection status. Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses, and the agent detected may not be the definite cause of the disease. By law, laboratories within the United States and its territories are required to report all positive results to the appropriate health authorities. Negative results do not rule out possible SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. Negative RT-PCR results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information to rule out possible SARS-CoV-2 infections. The RT-PCR assay is intended for use by qualified and trained clinical laboratory personnel specifically instructed and trained in the techniques of RT-PCR and in vitro diagnostic procedures.
‘Don’t worry, you haven’t been double-billed; as mentioned above, you probably haven’t been billed at all. As listed below, itemized invoices use specific billing codes for different aspects of your COVID-19 test, from your office visit down to the delivery of your results. This is a standard practice, so you will find multiple items listed on your detailed invoice. When viewing your explanation of benefits, you may even notice that part of your invoice is dated on the day after your test. This is because your insurance companies recognize your COVID-19 test and the next-day delivery of results as two separately billable acts. Whether selecting the basic package (48-hour) or upgrading your results to expedited (24-hour) or express (2-hour) delivery, do not be alarmed if you see this follow-up listed in your explanation of benefits as occurring on the next day. Recall that this corresponds to the delivery of results and is not a duplicate charge. Even in the event that your insurance company does not reimburse ClearMD for your visit, you will never be charged by ClearMD for a standard test.