Patient Resources
COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 VACCINE As of 4/8/21, we have received a supply of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines and online appointment scheduling is now available!
All individuals can book an on-line vaccine appointment by clicking on this link: “Book A Vaccine Appointment”. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be given.
Who Is Eligible for a Vaccine? Effective March 29, 2021, DSHS announced all Texans age 16 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 Vaccines – seniors 80 and older will continue to be a priority.
All currently authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another. You may choose to investigate all “vaccine hub providers” to determine availability to schedule vaccinations at a “vaccine hub provider”. To find hub providers, click on this State of Texas link: COVID‑19 Vaccination Hub Providers page Clicking on this link: Texas Division of Emergency Management provides a listing of available COVID-19 vaccines in Texas.
Should you find appointment times have been filled, other resources to register for the vaccine include this City of Houston’s Health Department’s wait-list link: COVID-19 vaccine waitlists/ . The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) indicated it plans to launch a website that will allow people to find upcoming vaccine clinics hosted by DSHS or a participating local health department and to schedule an appointment. People can continue to find additional vaccine sites though the Texas DSHS Vaccine Information page (click here).
Depending on vaccine availability you may or may not be able to schedule or sign-up for a wait list. MCH is not considered a vaccine “Hub” provider. Houston has three of these hubs.
Find additional information in the section below: “Commonly asked Questions” clicking on the + (plus sign) to reveal responses.
Stay Safe!
Commonly Asked Questions about COVID-19 (click on the + to display answers)
When can an MCH patient obtain the COVID-19 vaccine?
NOW! Medical Clinic of Houston is approved as a vaccination provider and online appointment scheduling is available by clicking on this link: “Book A Vaccine Appointment”.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has indicated it plans to launch a website that will allow people to find upcoming vaccine clinics hosted by DSHS or a participating local health department and to schedule an appointment. People can continue to find additional vaccine sites though the Texas DSHS Vaccine Information page (click here). Another resource to register for the vaccine may be this City of Houston’s Health Department’s wait-list link: COVID-19 vaccine waitlists/. Depending on vaccine availability you may or may not be able to schedule or sign-up for a wait list. MCH is not considered a vaccine “Hub” provider. Houston has three of these hubs.
You may choose to investigate all “vaccine hub providers” to determine if you are able to schedule vaccinations at a “vaccine hub provider”. To find hub providers, click on this State of Texas link: COVID‑19 Vaccination Hub Providers page Clicking on this link: Texas Division of Emergency Management provides a listing of available COVID-19 vaccines in Texas.
We have procured all the necessary sub-zero freezer storage and temperature monitoring, and our physicians and staff have received the necessary training for administering the two-dose vaccine.
Continue to check our web site’s “Home” page for updates.
Hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, when it is available?
Please click on the Fact Sheet to read the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
The CDC recommends getting the first COVID-19 vaccine available to you. All currently authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another.
You could also read this article, published by CNN, by clicking on the link: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/health/covid-vaccine-hesitancy-questions-answered-wellness-trnd/index.html
Continue to check our web site’s “Home” page for updates.
Who is eligible to get the vaccine?
Effective March 29, 2021, all Texans age 16 and over are eligible to receive COVID-19 Vaccines – although seniors 80 and older are considered at-risk vulnerable patients and will continue to be a priority along with others who meet specific criteria (phases), depending on availability.
What are the different vaccines and who can take them?
Who can take vaccine?
Pfizer-BioNTech
- People 16 years old and older
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson
- People 18 years old and older
Significance: Those under 18 likely won’t be eligible to get the vaccine until later in 2021 anyway since health care workers, nursing home residents and staff, essential workers, people 65 and older and those with certain health risks are slated to be the first groups vaccinated. Other vaccines may be available to younger age groups by then.
Side effects
Pfizer-BioNTech
- The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, followed by tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever, according to the FDA.
- In the United Kingdom, two health care workers reported severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) after being vaccinated; two health care workers in Alaska reported a serious allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- In the U.S. trial, four people who received the vaccine developed Bell’s palsy, which causes usually temporary paralysis in facial muscles
Moderna
- The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, followed by tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and chills, an FDA analysis found.
- Three trial participants who received the vaccine developed Bell’s palsy.
Johnson & Johnson
- The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, followed by headache, fatigue and myalgia (muscle pain).
- There was one case of hypersensitivity — although not classified as anaphylaxis — that began two days after the injection.
- There were four reported cases of Bell’s palsy: two among those getting the vaccine and two who received the placebo.
Significance: The side effects are similar for each vaccine. William Moss, a physician and executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, points out that the number of Bell’s palsy cases in both trials is “very small and likely just represents chance,” but says “going forward we’ll just need to monitor more carefully and just make sure we’re looking for Bell’s palsy and make sure that it’s not related to the vaccine.”
When it comes to the anaphylactic reactions exhibited in Great Britain, one of the participants had a history of allergic reactions. U.S. federal officials have warned health care providers not to give the vaccine to anyone with a known history of a severe allergic reaction to any part of the vaccine, a standard caution for all vaccines. As with the Bell’s palsy cases, officials are expected to watch for such reactions.
How many shots?
Pfizer-BioNTech
- Two shots of the vaccine, given 21 days apart, are required for it to be fully effective.
Moderna
- Two shots are required, 28 days apart.
Johnson & Johnson
- One shot required.
Is in-vehicle testing available?
Swab testing for MCH patients may be performed through your vehicle’s window – only after scheduling an appointment with your physician.
How do I get results of my COVID-19 test?
Your doctor’s office will call you with all COVID-19 results.
What do I do if my COVID-19 test is positive?
See the CDC site: Stay home except to get medical care
Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.
- Keep track of your symptoms.
- If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.
How can I track my symptoms?
Do I need separate orders and appointments for all of my family members?
Yes, each individual requesting a test needs his or her own doctor’s order and appointment.
I have been exposed to coronavirus but don't have any symptoms. Should I schedule an appointment?
It is best to call and consult with your doctor.
What do I do if I need to reschedule my test?
Please call your doctor’s office if you need to reschedule.
Where can I find more information on the novel coronavirus?
Where can a non-MCH patient obtain testing?
Testing for non-MCH patients can be located via this resource
Test Locations
ENHANCED SAFETY MEASURES NOW IN PLACE
Your safety is our number one priority.
If you are having respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath) or have been exposed to a COVID-positive individual, call your physician’s office prior to your appointment.
If your physician believes it is appropriate, your health needs could be addressed via a telemedicine / video visit.
SAFETY MEASURES IN OUR GENERAL CLINIC
- MASKS
A mask must be worn at all times by all patients, visitors, physicians, and clinical staff throughout the Clinic and garage.
SCREENING
At time of scheduling and upon arrival, patients and visitors are screened (to include temperature testing and screening questions) for potential symptoms of COVID-19 (as are all employees, each and every day). You will be referred to our Satellite Clinic should screening outcomes indicate.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
In our entrance, elevators, and waiting rooms.
DISINFECTING
All patient exam rooms are disinfected between each patient visit. All rooms, equipment, and surface areas that are being touched (counter-tops, doorknobs, exam chairs, computers, etc.) are disinfected frequently throughout each day.
AIR FILTERING
A combination of MERV 13 air filters and UV lighting is used to remove 1.0 – 3.0 micron size particles from the Clinic’s air (Viral droplet nuclei is accepted to be in the range of 1.0 – 5.0 microns).
UV LIGHT SANITIZING
The air conditioning system in our building was designed with UV lighting as a method to fight germs, mold and viruses. These UV lights are installed on every floor of the building and are on 24/7. Additionally UV light sanitizing portable equipment is used throughout the Clinic.
MCH SATELLITE CLINIC
- SATELLITE CLINIC FOR SYMPTOMATIC OR EXPOSED PATIENTS
For the protection of you, other patients and our employees, Medical Clinic of Houston has set-up a Satellite Clinic for our current patients who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to a COVID-positive individual. Patients scheduled to be seen in the Satellite Office will be seen by an MCH physician without compromising the safety of other patients and our employees. The Satellite Clinic has a completely separate entrance to the building, a separate waiting area, a separate set of exam rooms and air is converted to negative pressure – which means the air is not re-circulated in the clinic.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESS TO THE SATELLITE CLINIC
If you are scheduled to be seen in the Satellite Clinic, you access the Satellite Clinic directly from the 4th floor of our parking garage. The Satellite Clinic has a completely separate entrance and waiting area. Open parking is available adjacent to the Satellite Clinic (garage level 4) so you will be able to access the Satellite Clinic without the need to use an elevator, enter the Clinic’s main lobby, or use valet parking.
THE SATELLITE CLINIC IS NOT A WALK-IN CLINIC
Please do not report to the Satellite Clinic unless you are directed to do so by your physician’s office.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED IN OUR SATELLITE CLINIC
- STAFF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
The physicians and clinical personnel (RN /LVN /MA) will be wearing full PPE to include gowns, gloves, and face/eye shields with masks.
DISINFECTING
In addition to the daily disinfecting of all patient exam rooms, manual disinfecting occurs between each patient visit. A portable UV Light is used in each room for 30 minutes as an additional precaution.
NON RECYCLED AIR – UTILIZING NEGATIVE AIR PRESSURE
In order to reduce the risk for transmission of airborne infectious diseases, the Satellite Clinic has been re-engineered to mechanically provide a negative pressure environment, which is commonly used for infection control to ensure infectious germs are not spread through an air conditioning system. Negative pressure causes more air to be removed from the room than that which is allowed into the room.
As clean air flows into the Satellite Clinic, existing air is exhausted, thru a hepa filter, to the outside, preventing re-circulation of this air into any part of the Clinic building. This non-re-circulation of air is to further protect patients, physicians, and Clinic staff.
TESTING RELATED TO COVID-19
Please discuss these tests with your physician prior to having them performed.
*Should an individual have insurance coverage, fees related to these tests will vary based on the insurance company’s contractual agreement with MCH.
COVID-19 TESTS & FEES
A Swab test must be scheduled with your physician and may be performed while remaining in your vehicle (parked on the garage 4th floor) or in the Satellite Clinic (location determined by your physician).
MCH offers two different standalone molecular tests (Swab Tests) to determine if someone is actively infected with COVID-19. Detecting the genetic (molecular) information is only possible if the virus is there and someone is actively infected.
The Isothermal molecular test utilizes a proven next-generation molecular technology that uses proprietary enzymes and constant temperature, providing the fastest processing time of highly sensitive molecular tests.
The Isothermal molecular tests (CPT code: 87635) are performed in our MCH Laboratory: Self pay* price is $102.62.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular test utilizes heat instead of proprietary enzymes. PCR tests are used to detect the presence of an antigen, rather than the presence of the body’s immune response, or antibodies. PCR tests detect the genetic information of the virus, the RNA. By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present; the test can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on. PCR gives us a good indication of who is infected. Infected individuals can be isolated and get in contact with people they’ve been in touch with so these individuals can be quarantined too.
The standalone PCR test (CPT code: U0003 / 87635) is sent to LabCorp. LabCorp bills patients directly.
There is an MCH visit and specimen collection fee (CPT 99211) in addition to either of the COVID-19 test fees. Self pay* price is $40.60.
In some circumstances your physician may order additional tests beyond the basic COVID-19 test. These additional tests, used to identify infections with similar symptoms, are performed in the Laboratory at Medical Clinic of Houston, L.L.P.:
Rapid Flu, A&B test (CPT code 87502): Self-pay* price is $125.00
Strep A Screen test (CPT code 87651): Self-pay* price is $109.94
“BioFire” Respiratory Panel test includes up to 22 different tests for various infections which may cause respiratory illness, including the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 (CPT code 0202U). Self-pay* price is $1,244.10
SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Antibody Testing
While antibody tests can provide evidence of previous or current infection, the test is not for use in the diagnosis of acute COVID-19 disease but may be useful for determination of a recent infection. Antibody (serology) tests indicate that the body produced an immune response to the virus, and it can take over a week for antibodies to form following infection; finally, it is not known whether the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 as detected in this test correlates with the individual’s immune system.
The MCH Laboratory performs in-house testing for total SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 antibodies.
COVID-19 antibody (serology) test (CPT code: 86769). Self-pay* price is $84.26
*Should an individual have insurance coverage, fees related to these tests will vary based on the insurance company’s contractual agreement with MCH.
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