COVID-19 Information & Resources
Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc. (NMHSI) is pre-screening patients, providing drive-through COVID-19 testing and safely continuing health services. Keep reading to learn more about our available information and resources on COVID-19.
Our Response to COVID-19
NMHSI is responding to rapidly evolving recommendations regarding COVID-19 to protect the safety of our patients, healthcare staff and community. NMHSI is here for you and is remaining open and available to serve medical, dental and behavioral health patients.
In need of immediate COVID-19 related services?
Call our COVID test hotline at (231) 642-5292
NMHSI COVID-19 Testing
NMHSI offers traditional COVID-19 viral testing in which a swab is inserted deeply into each nostril, twisted and left in each nostril for 10 seconds to collect fluids. This test detects if you currently have COVID-19. At this time, NMHSI offers rapid testing for healthcare workers, first responders, and teachers, and viral testing for those with symptoms of COVID. No antibody testing is currently offered.
To keep yourself, our community and healthcare heroes safe, always wear a mask in public, wash your hands often and maintain social distancing.
COVID-19 Testing With Symptoms
If you have COVID-19 symptoms including cough, fever or shortness of breath, you will need to get an order from your primary care provider or our medical provider before you are tested. This will assure you are getting the right assessment and treatment for your follow-up.
COVID-19 Testing After Exposure
If you have been exposed or believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, you need to get tested at least 48-72 hours after the exposure. Many people who test positive for COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so if you have had any contact with someone who has had a positive test, you should consider getting tested even if you don’t have symptoms.
COVID-19 Testing With No Symptoms
At this time, NMHSI is not offering testing to asymptomatic individuals. An exception to this would be for first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers, who can receive rapid testing after an exposure. (Call to schedule at 231-642-5292).
Primary Care Providers and COVID-19
If you are a primary care provider who needs to send an order for COVID-19 testing, download and fill out our COVID-19 testing order form.
COVID-19 Testing Results & Insurance
Lab processing times can vary depending on the volume of tests being processed and are usually returned within 4-5 days.
How Will I Receive My COVID-19 Results?
If an outside primary care provider (not NMHSI) ordered your test, you will get your results from them. If NMHSI ordered your test, we will text your results or leave a voicemail with your results. If you require a written letter confirming your results, you can contact us to request that.
Does My Insurance Cover COVID-19 Testing?
Insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, are covering the costs of COVID-19 testing ordered by a medical provider for the purposes of diagnosing and treating. You should not receive a bill for testing, and if you do, please let us know. There are funding sources available to help cover the cost of the test for uninsured individuals. NMHSI will not bill uninsured individuals for collecting the sample. You should not get a bill, if you do please let us know.
Medical & Behavioral Health Services During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NMHSI is still providing numerous medical, dental and behavioral health services. Additionally, to support our patients and community members who are suffering from increased anxiety and depression during COVID-19, we have a Stress Warm Line. You can speak to a counselor from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (231) 655-3867.
What If I Don’t Feel Comfortable Visiting NMHSI in Person?
Tele-video and tele-audio appointments are available for both behavioral health and medical care. Just call your nearest clinic and schedule an online or phone appointment with your provider. Note that some care is not appropriate to be provided via telemedicine – just ask if telemedicine is right for you.
NMHSI medical, dental and behavioral health staff are available to clinic patients by phone.
NMHSI COVID-19 Response
NMHSI is now safely open for routine preventive dental and medical care services in the office. We have put additional safety measures in place to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 at our clinics and offices.
These additional precautions include:
- Screening our staff daily to ensure they do not have COVID-19 symptoms
- Screening our patients who come for in-office visits to ensure they do not have COVID-19 symptoms
- Spacing appointments differently so our waiting rooms are less full
- Limiting the number of visitors in our clinics
- Offering tele-visits (audio and video) for some types of appointments
- Marking our clinic spaces for safe, social distancing
- Requiring masks on all patients, visitors and staff
- Increasing routine cleaning schedules in all patient and staff areas of the clinics
- Additional safety equipment in dental operatories to reduce the airborne spread of COVID-19
Trusted and Local COVID-19 Testing, Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health Services
The safety of our staff, patients and community is paramount and we are continuing to provide services through the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are searching for behavioral health, medical services, dental services or COVID-19 testing, our staff is here to support you.