Centene and Quest Diagnostics Increase Access to COVID-19 Testing

Centene recently announced a collaboration with Quest Diagnostics to increase access to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) COVID-19 testing in critical areas of need across the country. Every year, Quest Diagnostics serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the U.S. Through this collaboration, Centene will facilitate the distribution of 25,000 Quest COVID-19 test kits each week to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in ten states or districts across the country. This initiative is part of a broader set of actions Centene is taking with key providers and stakeholders across the country to support safety net providers in addressing the pandemic.

"Testing is a critical part of containing the spread of COVID-19, and preventing future outbreaks," said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. "We need to ensure every community has access to the testing they need, especially the most vulnerable and underserved populations."

This collaboration leverages Centene's extensive network of critical safety net providers to ensure that testing capacity is routed to where it is needed most. As part of the collaboration, Centene will provide oversight and training to ensure test kits are received and processed efficiently. Distribution of kits will begin May 4, and Quest Diagnostics will conduct the COVID-19 testing through its network of laboratories across the U.S.

"COVID-19 testing is critically needed in underserved communities and our collaboration with Centene will help ensure that necessary and life-saving diagnostic testing is available to address that need," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, CEO and President of Quest Diagnostics. "We are committed to serving the testing needs of Federally Qualified Health Centers during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Centene is continually working to ensure our provider network has the tools and resources to care for our members in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more about how we’re supporting our valued providers, and stay up-to-date on our continued efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.