OakBend Medical Group opening new COVID-19 test site in Wharton

By R. Hans Miller | Times Senior Reporter
Posted 4/13/20

OakBend Medical Group has been operating a COVID-19 testing site out of its hospital in Richmond, and announced Monday morning in a press release that it will be opening an additional location in …

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OakBend Medical Group opening new COVID-19 test site in Wharton

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OakBend Medical Group has been operating a COVID-19 testing site out of its hospital in Richmond, and announced Monday morning in a press release that it will be opening an additional location in Wharton tomorrow, April 14.

The new site will be located at the OakBend Hospital in Wharton located at 10141 US Hwy. 59.

In order to be tested, patients must make participate in a telehealth visit which can be scheduled by calling 281-238-7870. The cost for the telehealth visit is $40, though that may be offset by Medicaid, Medicare or other insurance plans. During the virtual consultation, the patient will be screened for criteria that suggests a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Those criteria include:

  • Patients must have symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and have one of the following risk factors:
    • Older than 65 years old
    • People who have serious underlying health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease/asthma, HIV, immunocompromised)
    • Health care workers with suspected exposure

Once approved for testing, additional information will be collected to ensure the patient’s identity, then the patient will be referred to the testing site. Those being tested must bring a photo ID and arrive at the testing site by car or truck and will remain in the vehicle while an OakBend staff member collects a specimen to be tested – via nasal or oral swabs or a sputum sample – and then will need to leave the testing site.

The new testing site will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Test results will be provided within 24-48 hours, according to OakBend’s press release.

Cost for the test is a fee of $100, though that may be offset by Medicare, Medicaid or commercial insurance.

COVID-19, OakBend Medical Center, Wharton, Richmond, patients, Medicare, Medicaid