MMRI begins offering rapid COVID-19 tests

UTICA, N.Y. — The Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) of Utica is now offering rapid COVID-19 tests. 

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) approved a limited-service laboratory registration for MMRI allowing the testing operations, MMRI said.

The MMRI began operations at its testing site on Jan. 4. 

Those needing a test should make an appointment through an MMRI online portal (mmricovid19.com), allowing patients to “pre-register for a designated time slot at least 24 hours in advance of the test.”

In addition to scheduling an appointment, the MMRI online portal allows patients to prepay the $115 fee for their test and provide a valid email address to receive their receipt and access code to obtain results securely online. MMRI will also report all testing results to the DOH, per New York guidelines, through the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).

MMRI also notes that it does not accept insurance; therefore, patients will be responsible for submitting their own insurance claims.

MMRI will administer its tests as a drive-thru, with patients remaining in their car for the duration of their appointment. Patients can also get their results online within 30 minutes of testing. 

“We wanted to determine a way to create a safe and efficient testing service,” Jason McCarthy, assistant professor and scientific operations manager at MMRI, said. “By allowing patients to remain in their cars, we protect both them and our staff from possible exposure. Additionally, secure online access to results guarantees the testing line will move quickly and that patients will receive their results easily and conveniently at home.” 

The MMRI test site will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will administer about 200 tests each day. 

MMRI is a biomedical research institute founded by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the state of New York in 1958, per its website.