Gretna Medical Center
315 Westbank Expressway
Gretna, LA 70053
Phone: (504) 285-2123

We have Spanish and Vietnamese speaking doctors.
(Clinica Medica)

PCR COVID Traveling Tests
2/2/2023
New office hours
Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm
Saturday 7am-3pm
Sunday 8am-12pm.
Updates: April 15, 2022
We offer many different services at our clinic, including COVID testing. There is a 25 dollar no show fee for a doctor's visit only. If you are 30 minutes late or you don’t cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment, the no show fee will be applied to future doctor's visit. Use our contact page to cancel your doctor's appointment. New medicaid patients will be accepted starting May 2nd.
COVID testing patients can walk in anytime during business hours as long as you pay for your own test with your own money.
We are one of the few clinics that can do a 15 minute PCR COVID test because we do the testing in-house. Most other clinics require a 2 to 3 day wait time because they ship it out. Molecular PCR testing is part of NOLA's guidelines for a safe reopening and it is approved for all international travel. NOLA guidelines include events, indoor activities, and Saints games.
Keep in mind that we are receiving a high volume of calls due to the pandemic. Getting through the phone lines is extremely difficult. Use our contact page on the website to request an appointment and someone will actually get back to you.
COVID Testing for International Flights
- Out of pocket cost - 15 min molecular PCR COVID-19 test for flights, same day results.
- No appointment needed, just show up at least 1 hour before we close.
- Insurance does not cover molecular PCR testing.
- Bring your passport or what you plan to use for identification at the airport to your COVID test because the documentation we give you for your COVID test must match in order to make it through airline checkpoints.
For more information on the types of COVID testing that we offer including sensitivity, how long the test will take, QR codes and stamps visit our page with details about same day COVID-19 testing for the New Orleans and surrounding areas. If you need information on coronavirus event testing, visit our page on COVID-19 event testing services.
Vaccinations:
Vaccinations are handled by NOLA COVID Vaccination Center. Visit their page to scheduled a vaccination. Click this link if you need to reach Expressway Pharmacy's page for more information.
Payments made in clinic on our credit card machine has a 3.5% fee. We accept cash. We don't accept checks
Updates: Thursday 9/23/2021
COVID Testing for Flights
Our facility has an in house 15 minute PCR COVID testing kit for international flights. Most other clinics require a 3 to 5 day wait time because they mail it out. We do the test in our facility and you get your results in about 15 minutes on the same day.
- 15 min PCR COVID-19 test for flights, same day results.
- No appointment needed, just show up at least 1 hour before we close.
- No insurance will cover PCR COVID testing for travelers because insurance companies have deemed traveling as not medically necessary.
- Bring your passport or what you plan to use for identification at the airport to your COVID test because the documentation we give you for your COVID test must match in order to make it through TSA.
COVID Testing for Symptoms or Exposure
If you need a COVID test for exposure or symptoms, your insurance company will dictate what COVID test you get, which means you are not guaranteed to get a rapid 15 minute test. The wait time can be up to a few days depending on what type of COVID test your insurance is willing to cover.
- You could also opt to self-pay for a COVID test to get your results in 15 to 20 minutes. No appointment needed for self-pay patients because you don't have to see a provider. Insurance requires that you see a provider in order to cover a COVID test.
For more information on the types of COVID testing that we offer including sensitivity and how long the test will take, visit our page with details about same day COVID-19 testing for the New Orleans and surrounding areas. If you need information on coronavirus event testing, visit our page on COVID-19 event testing services.
Medication Refill Notice:
RX refills for patients dislocated require a telehealth visit if it's been over a month since their last visit to the clinic.
COVID Testing Updates: 8/20/2021
We are receiving a high volume of calls due to the pandemic. Getting through the phone lines is extremely difficult. You will reach someone faster if you use our contact page. Additionally we take walk-in patients if you need to be seen today. We take walk-in patients up until an hour before we close. Appointments are seen first. General COVID information below.
COVID Pneumonia: We have an X-ray machine that can help determine if you have pneumonia. Our X-ray tech is only available during the weekdays.
COVID Testing for Flights
Our facility has an in house 15 minute PCR COVID testing kit for international flights. Most other clinics require a 3 to 5 day wait time because they mail it out. We do the test in our facility and you get your results in about 15 minutes on the same day.
- 15 min PCR COVID-19 test for flights, same day results.
- No appointment needed, just show up at least 1 hour before we close.
- No insurance will cover PCR COVID testing for travelers because insurance companies have deemed traveling as not medically necessary.
- Bring your passport or what you plan to use for identification at the airport to your COVID test because the documentation we give you for your COVID test must match in order to make it through TSA.
COVID Testing for Symptoms or Exposure
If you need a COVID test for exposure or symptoms, your insurance company will dictate what COVID test you get, which means you are not guaranteed to get a rapid 15 minute test. The wait time can be up to a few days depending on what type of COVID test your insurance is willing to cover.
- You could also opt to self-pay for a COVID test to get your results in 15 to 20 minutes. No appointment needed for self-pay patients because you don't have to see a provider. Insurance requires that you see a provider in order to cover a COVID test.
For more information on the types of COVID testing that we offer including sensitivity and how long the test will take, visit our page with details about same day COVID-19 testing for the New Orleans and surrounding areas. If you need information on coronavirus event testing, visit our page on COVID-19 event testing services.
COVID Testing Updates: 8/14/2021
COVID Testing Updates: 8/11/2021
Same Day COVID Testing for Travel
Our facility has an in house 15 minute PCR COVID testing kit for international flights. Most other clinics require a 3 to 5 day wait time because they mail it out. We do the test in our facility and you get your results in about 15 minutes on the same day.
- 15 min PCR COVID-19 test for flights, same day results.
- No appointment needed, just show up at least 1 hour before we close.
- No insurance will cover PCR COVID testing for travelers because insurance companies have deemed traveling as not medically necessary.
- Bring your passport or what you plan to use for identification at the airport to your COVID test because the documentation we give you for your COVID test must match in order to make it through TSA

Covid 19 Antibody Test New Orleans
Where can I take the Covid 19 antibody test in New Orleans?
Gretna Medical Center is authorized to give COVID-19 antibody testing for people in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Gretna Medical Center is centrally located in the Westbank and we have taken every precaution to prevent the spread of diseases within out clinic. See our FAQ below for more information on how we prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the type of testing that we use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we prevent the spread of Covid 19?
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Our waiting room is limited to 10 people.
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The chairs in our room are at least 6 feet apart.
- The facility has an advanced air filtration system.
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We provide all patients with surgical masks if they don’t have one.
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Rooms are sanatized after each patient leaves.
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You may also wait in your car for your appointment. A receptionist will call you to come in.
Is our COVID-19 PCR test approved for international flights?
- Yes, we have been helping to test international travelers for over six months.
How accurate is the antibody test for COVID-19?
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Our tests are ran through Labcorp and they have been around for over 40 years. Lab corp follows both the CDC and FDA recommendations by utilizing Serological tests.
- To get a better understanding of how accurate the COVID-19 antibody test can be, please visit Labcorp’s website as they say that they use Serological tests which is recommended by the CDC and FDA.
Is COVID-19 PCR testing for flights covered by insurance in New Olreans?
- Insurance companies have stated that testing for travel is not medically necessary. Your insurance will not cover your COVID-19 test for travel.
How can you stay up to date with accurate COVID-19 information in New Orleans?
We understand that information is always changing and sometimes the accuracy of this information can be questionable. So the best source for information for COVID-19 related to the Louisiana and New Orleans area can be found from either our front desk or the Louisiana government website dedicated to the pandamic below.
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Call 504-370-0507 to speak with our front desk as they are up to date on COVID-19 changes.
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For more details, visit ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/