COVID-19 Community Q&A

Q: Where can individuals get tested for COVID-19, particularly in neighborhoods such as North St. Louis City and County?

A: If you are concerned you have COVID-19 symptoms call any of the locations listed below. You will be asked a series of questions provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Depending on your responses, you will be directed to a testing site. You are required to call ahead for a screening prior to visiting any testing sites.

You can be tested for COVID-19 at the following locations. BJC HealthCare Locations and COVID-19 Hotline 314-747-8899

• Central West End Cortex:
  4353 Clayton Ave St Louis, MO 63110
• North County
  Christian Hospital
  11133 Dunn Rd
  St. Louis, MO 63136

• Affinia Healthcare
  1717 Biddle Street
  314-833-2777
• CareSTL Health:
  5471 Martin Luther King Drive
  314-633-6363

Q: If I test positive, what is the cost of treatment, especially if I could not afford medical care before the pandemic? What resources are available to help pay for treatment? What are the criteria for getting assistance with medical costs?

A: As with any medical treatment, seek this information from your insurance company and/or healthcare provider. If you do not have financial means or health insurance coverage, all local nonprofit health care organizations provide financial assistance/charity care for necessary medical services. COVID-19 is no different – care would be provided; reimbursement would be based on your ability to pay, either through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or financial assistance/charity care being provided. On each health care organizations’ websites, you can find the criteria for financial assistance/charity care options. Additional questions related to payment should be directed to your healthcare provider’s patient financial services department.

Q: What does aftercare look like and how do people access it? What are the associated costs and how are they paid for, especially for people without the financial means?

A: Follow-up care is provided through the hospital clinics, physician offices or community health centers. There is no special health organization or clinic just for treating COVID-19 patients. Everybody respond to care in different ways. COVID-19 recovery is no exception. In all cases, you should follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. You may also want to consider the guidance of your local health department.

As with any medical treatment, your costs would align with your insurance company and/or healthcare provider. If you do not have financial means or health insurance coverage, all local nonprofit health care organizations provide financial assistance and/or charitable care options for necessary medical services. COVID-19 is no different – care would be provided; reimbursement would be based on your ability to pay - either through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or financial assistance/charity care. It’s best to check with the medical facility in which treatment and care are being provided. On each of health care organizations’ website, you can find the criteria for financial assistance and/or charitable care. Additional questions related to payment should be directed to your healthcare provider’s patient financial services department.

• Note: Patient care planning is customized to your individual needs, and is provided through hospital clinics, physician offices, or community health centers. There is not a special organization or clinic just for treating COVID-19 patients.
• Note: Check with the medical facility where your care is being provided. Additional questions related to payment should be directed to your healthcare provider’s patient financial services department.