COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments and Research
OpenIs it safe to schedule a routine appointment with my doctor?
Yes. If you need care, don’t hesitate to call your doctor’s office or contact them through My Health Online. Our employees and healthcare teams are ready to serve you and look forward to providing care, either in person or by Video Visit.
If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or have needs related to ongoing treatment, don’t wait to contact your care team for appointments. Delaying care can be dangerous. To avoid unwanted outcomes and complications, call your doctor’s office or send your care team a message through My Health Online.
To reduce the risk of spread, we’re taking extra precautions at our sites, including universal masking, physical distancing, temperature screening of our workforce and visitors, and enhanced cleaning.
OpenIs Sutter scheduling elective surgeries?
We’re taking extra precautions to help keep you safe. We continue to monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory and testing capability. As we manage surges in COVID-19 patients, we may temporarily suspend certain procedures. If your procedure is delayed, we’ll work with you to reschedule it as soon as possible.
OpenAre there clinical trials at Sutter for eligible patients with COVID-19?
Yes. Sutter patients may enroll in clinical trials testing investigational treatments for COVID-19. View clinical trials.
COVID-19 Vaccine
OpenWhere can I learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines and distribution?
Vaccinations for COVID-19 are in progress. At Sutter, we're administering vaccines according to government guidance. To learn more about the vaccines, their potential side effects, and how federal and state agencies are prioritizing distribution please visit our COVID-19 vaccine resource page.
Patient and Visitor Information
Open Is Sutter Health restricting hospital visitors?
Sutter is committed to the health and well-being of our patients, caregivers and community. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, we’re taking extra precautions to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease. It’s critical that we protect vulnerable patients in our hospitals, as well as our healthcare workers and providers. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across Northern California, we’re restricting visitors within our hospitals.
We’re allowing a support person for laboring mothers and visitors in end-of-life situations. We’ll also allow support for minors and people with disabilities. If you want to visit a patient, please consider contacting them by telephone or videoconference. We appreciate your help with protecting patients and staff.
OpenWhat can I expect when I come in for an appointment?
We’re taking lots of precautions to keep you safe. Before your appointment, you’ll be screened by phone. When you arrive, you’ll be screened again and given a mask.
Contact-free check in is also available through My Health Online. Activate this feature in your My Health Online app by using the E-Z Arrival option before your appointment. The app will notify our staff that you’ve arrived, so you can limit or skip time in the waiting areas.
We’re also taking measures beyond screening in all our care centers. Anyone will COVID-19 symptoms is isolated, every exam room is disinfected thoroughly between patients, and we’re using physical distancing protocols everywhere possible.
OpenHow is Sutter Health protecting patients and caregivers?
Sutter hospitals, outpatient clinics and doctors’ offices are taking the following safety measures to help protect patients, staff and communities:
- We're screening at entrances.
- Visitors are limited to help protect patients, staff and providers.
- Masks are required and provided for everyone entering any Sutter building.
- Lobbies and waiting areas are modified for physical distancing.
- Every exam room undergoes extra cleaning between patients.
- We’re isolating patients with respiratory symptoms from the general population.
OpenCan a patient bring a caregiver to a doctor’s appointment or procedure?
Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across Northern California, we’re restricting visitors at care centers and surgery centers. There are cases in which patients may have a support person accompany them to appointments and procedures. These include parents or guardians of small children, support for patients with disabilities or who need help walking, interpreters and support people for mothers with newborns.
Screening and Testing
OpenShould I be tested for COVID-19?
Sutter is following CDC and local County Public Health guidelines on who should be tested for COVID-19. Generally speaking, it includes patients with one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptom Evaluation and Testing
If you’re experiencing COVID symptoms and think you should be tested, please call or message your doctor directly or consider scheduling a Video Visit with your doctor or a Sutter Walk-In Care clinician through My Health Online.
If you don’t have a My Health Online account, you can enroll online. If you’re not able to have a Video Visit, your doctor can instruct you on how to get an evaluation.
An evaluation by a clinician is required to determine if you need a COVID-19 test. If you meet testing criteria, your doctor or a clinician will order a test and refer you to a testing site.
A specimen will be collected at a Sutter testing site and sent to a lab for analysis. You will be informed of the results, and if the result is positive, your provider will arrange for any care you may need.
Recommendations on testing may differ by county. Please contact your doctor or check your county’s website for more information.
All patients admitted to a Sutter hospital will be tested for COVID-19.
OpenHow do providers test for COVID-19?
A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is the most common type of test used to determine whether a person has COVID-19. A healthcare provider administers a PCR test by taking a nose or throat swab from a patient, processing the sample in a machine, and then looking for indications of COVID-19 infection. At Sutter, most specimens will be collected by nasal swab.
OpenHow can I get a COVID-19 test at a Sutter facility?
An evaluation by a clinician is required to determine if you need a COVID-19 test. If you meet testing criteria, your doctor or a clinician will order a test and refer you to a testing site.
Designated respiratory clinics and urgent care centers are available in the Sutter Health network where patients with COVID-19 symptoms can be further evaluated and receive a COVID-19 test.
Once you arrive at a site, you may be asked to wait in your car and call a phone number to alert staff, who will provide guidance and coordinate collecting a test sample. Some sites offer testing right from your car.
You will be informed of the results, and if the result is positive, your provider will arrange for any care you may need.
Additional community resources for testing may be available in your area:
OpenWhat is a COVID-19 antibody test?
An antibody test may help identify people who have had or been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, including individuals who didn’t show any symptoms. This type of blood test detects the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to COVID-19 infection. Antibody tests may be used to complement PCR tests in certain circumstances.
OpenWhat is the difference between a COVID-19 PCR test and an antibody test?
A COVID-19 (PCR) test shows whether a person is currently infected. An antibody test indicates whether a person has antibodies for COVID-19 because they’ve been exposed to the virus or previously infected.
OpenHow can I find out if I have COVID-19 antibodies?
If you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test or were diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider, you may be eligible for an antibody test at a Sutter facility. Contact your doctor’s office for more information.
At Sutter, antibody tests are used to help validate a positive COVID-19 diagnosis determined by PCR testing. Antibody tests are also used to determine whether a patient recovering from a COVID-19 infection is eligible to donate plasma if they’re interested in doing so. “Convalescent plasma” may be used as investigational treatment for people with severe COVID-19. Learn more.
Note that U.S. federal and California state laws require that COVID-19 antibody tests be performed at licensed clinical laboratories.
OpenWhat does a positive COVID-19 antibody test result mean?
A positive antibody test shows a person has been exposed to or previously infected with COVID-19.
There’s no evidence yet that people with detectable COVID-19 antibodies are immune to re-infection. Until more research is available, a positive antibody test should not be used to make decisions related to easing physical distancing or the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
OpenAs a patient, do I have to pay for screening or testing for COVID-19 at Sutter facilities?
Sutter will not collect patient cost shares (e.g., a copay, deductible and co-insurance) in advance of providing services for medically necessary COVID-19 screening and test collection administered at Sutter care centers.
Your final out-of-pocket cost or responsibility for this test and visit to your provider may be affected by factors such as the mix of services, your deductible, past performed services and the claims already processed related to your care or your family's care. Please check with your insurance company if you need help understanding your benefits for this service.
OpenWhat should I expect to pay for a COVID-19 test without insurance?
The cost to you for this test without insurance depends on the test performed.
Test | Patient Responsibility |
---|---|
COVID-19 Antibody | $52 |
COVID-19 Detection by High Throughput Technology | $80 |
COVID-19 Detection by Nucleic Acid (DNA or RNA) | $55 |
Universal Masking
OpenDo I have to wear a mask when I visit a Sutter medical office or hospital?
Yes, all patients and visitors must wear masks or personal face coverings over their nose and mouth when they're in a public or common area of a Sutter facility and whenever they're within six feet of another person, with limited exceptions. If you don’t have a personal face covering or mask, we’ll provide a procedure mask for you.
OpenWhy do I need to wear a mask?
Sutter continues to update our COVID-19 response efforts based on the best available information. COVID-19 is prevalent in our communities and can be spread unknowingly by people that don’t have any symptoms. In addition, many counties have implemented mandatory Health Orders requiring members of the public to be masked at all times in public settings. Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our patients and staff, and these new masking procedures help support safe care.
OpenAre there any exceptions on who has to wear a mask?
Yes, certain individuals are not required to wear a mask:
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or has been advised not to wear a mask.
- Anyone who is incapacitated or can’t remove a mask without assistance.
- Children under the age of 2 (masks are optional for children ages 3 – 12).
OpenDoes my child have to wear a mask?
Masks are optional for children ages 3 –12. If you choose to have your child wear a mask, you can use a personal cloth mask or use one we provide. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask.
OpenDo I have to wear a mask during labor and delivery?
Due to COVID-19, we have additional safety efforts in place to protect you, your loved ones and our healthcare providers. You and your support person will need to wear a mask upon arrival, when healthcare providers are in the room and when leaving the hospital. You won't need to wear a mask if you and your support person are alone in a private room. We appreciate your help in maintaining safe patient care.
COVID-19 Testing
If you think you have coronavirus, take these steps to find care.
Check Your Symptoms
Think you may have coronavirus? Use our interactive screener or check this list to see if you should be tested.
Talk to a Provider
Contact your doctor for next steps or book a Video Visit with your provider or a Sutter Walk-In Care clinician.
Get Evaluated
If your clinician determines you should be tested for COVID-19, you'll be referred to a testing location.