Patient Resources
COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 VACCINE
While we wish we could vaccinate all of our patients, we currently have no vaccine supply. As soon as we are notified that we will be receiving an allocation, we will post information here on our web-site, about eligibility and how to book an on-line appointment.
Given the limited vaccine production, supply, and distribution, please understand we are doing our best. We continue to request updates from the State on our allocation status for either the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine—unfortunately, the allocation decision is out of our hands.
All Phase 1A and 1B individuals are eligible to receive a vaccine at a “vaccine hub provider,” regardless of where they reside. 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
Find additional information in the section below: “Commonly asked Questions” by clicking on the + (plus sign). Clicking on this link: Texas Division of Emergency Management provides a listing of available COVID-19 vaccines in Texas.
Stay Safe!
Commonly Asked Questions about COVID-19 (click on the + to display answers)
When can an MCH patient obtain the two dose COVID-19 vaccine?
Medical Clinic of Houston has been approved as a vaccination provider but currently has no vaccine. MCH is strictly following the guidelines established by the State of Texas and the CDC on the priority by which we should administer the vaccine.
Due to limited vaccine production, supply, and distribution we have not received any further allocation of vaccine. (Please see the Texas Health & Human Services update.) Therefore, at this time we have no available vaccine appointments. As soon as we know if and when we will receive additional doses, we will post instructions on our website for eligible patients to schedule an appointment for the first dose. The second dose will be scheduled when the first dosage is administered.
If you are in either Phase 1A or Phase 1B, you are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability. If you would like to receive your vaccine at the City of Houston’s vaccine Clinic, click the: City of Houston’s Emergency Operations.
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 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?
In addition to healthcare workers who interact directly with patients (Phase 1A), at-risk vulnerable patients who meet specific criteria (Phase 1B) are eligible to get the vaccine, depending on availability. Phase 1B criteria includes:
- Patients 75 or older
- Patients 65 and older who have three or more comorbidities ( i.e. cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart failure and obesity — see the full list from the CDC here)
- Patients younger than 65 who have at least one Class 1* condition, or at least two Class 2** comorbid conditions
**Class 2 conditions include: asthma, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents
Texas will initially allocate COVID-19 vaccines based on specific criteria. Click here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-dshs-announce-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-plan
If you are in either Phase 1A or Phase 1B, you are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability. If you would like to receive your vaccine at the City of Houston’s vaccine Clinic, click the: City of Houston’s Emergency Operations.
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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