The Food and Drug Association (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the use of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines during December 2020.

To date, testing showed no serious side effects, though, we recommend you decide if you want to be vaccinated after discussing the risks and benefits with your physician.

Visit the CDC to learn more about the vaccine.

At this time, we do not currently have the COVID-19 vaccine available for public distribution. Please continue to check wellnow.com for all up-to-date information.

As our centers receive vaccines, individuals will be able to receive doses on an appointment only basis. Vaccine eligibility will be based on state guidelines. Proof of eligibility will be needed at the time of the vaccine.

When vaccines are available, you will need to complete a consent form before receiving their first dose. If you are insured, an up-to-date insurance card will also be needed for your vaccine visit.

The vaccine will be 100% billable to insurance and of no cost to those without insurance.

COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer will be determined as doses are secured.

COVID-19 virus and antibody testing are available at all WellNow centers, 7 days a week. No appointment and no prescription necessary. Simply walk in or, if preferred, you can book your visit at a WellNow center of your choice. See below for testing details.

COVID-19 PCR molecular testing:

• Directly screens for the virus and indicates if a patient currently has the virus
• Test type: Nasal Swab sent to a local lab partner.
• Available at: All WellNow centers
• Result time: New York and Illinois patients will receive results in 3-5 days; Ohio and Michigan patients will receive results in 2-4 days.

COVID-19 rapid molecular or swab testing:

• Directly indicates if a patient currently has the virus using Abbott ID NOW
• Test type: Nasal Swab
• Available at: Oswego and Oneonta centers.
• Result time: Results are returned to the patient in 15 minutes or less

COVID-19 rapid antigen testing:

• Directly indicates if a patient currently has the virus and administered using the CareStart™ antigen test by AccessBio.
• Test type: Nasal Swab
• Result time: Results are returned to the patient in 15 minutes or less. A confirmatory PCR test may be required, with results returned to the patient in 3-5 days. 

Antibody testing:

• Indirectly screens for COVID-19 by looking for antibodies produced as the body’s response to a COVID-19 infection.
• Test type: Blood sample sent to a local lab partner.
• Result time: New York and Illinois patients will receive results in 3-5 days; Ohio and Michigan patients will receive results in 2-4 days.

Please note, A positive or negative result from antibody testing alone is not enough to confirm the presence or absence of infection, ongoing infection and/or long-term immunity.

There is still much to be learned from this virus, and accordingly, patients should still practice social distancing, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching their face, and following all other local health department guidelines to help reduce the spread of the virus. For more information regarding COVID-19, please visit the CDC.

The number of times you can be tested will be determined by a WellNow provider. After an evaluation, this decision will be based on your symptoms and their duration. Certain essential-services personnel may need to be tested more than once.

Testing may be covered by insurance as part of the CARES Act. Please contact your insurance carrier for full details on your coverage. Base visit, co-pays, and any other necessary service charges may apply.

See below self-pay pricing for our uninsured patients.

Antibody testing for New York and Illinois patients without insurance is $43 in addition to the charge for the base visit and any other necessary services. The cost of the test for patients in Ohio and Michigan is billed to patients by LabCorp.

PCR molecular testing for patients in New York and Illinois without insurance is $100 and $150 for patients in Ohio and Michigan, all in addition to the charge for the base visit and any other necessary services.

Rapid molecular testing is available at our Oswego and Oneonta centers and is $60 in addition to the charge for the base visit and any other necessary services.

Rapid antigen testing for patients in Illinois, Michigan, New York and Ohio is $60 in addition to the charge for the base visit and any other necessary services.

Please note, at this time rapid testing is available for those whose insurance carrier currently reimburses WellNow for the full cost of the rapid test.

Results for both the COVID-19 PCR swab test and antibody test will return within 3-5 days. See below for how to obtain results by state. Please note that all positive COVID-19 PCR swab test results will receive a direct phone call from one of our team members.  

Rapid testing is available at all of our locations with results in 15 minutes. A confirmatory PCR test may be required, with results in 3-5 days.

New York: Visit My Boston Heart to establish an account and obtain your results. We ask that you give the lab 3-5 days to process your specimen before setting the account up. If you experience difficulty accessing the portal reach out to support@mybostonheart. 

Illinois: Patients in Chicago will receive all results directly from WellNow. If you have any issues, call the site you visited directly.

Because your health is our priority, we are following all sanitary guidelines from the CDC and local health departments in our facilities with:

• Reinforced disinfecting processes across all rooms, tables, chairs, computers, door handles and surfaces with EPA-registered cleaning products.
• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff and requiring all patients to wear masks upon entering a WellNow center or we are happy to provide you with one.
• Expanded telehealth services and accepted insurances from WellNow Virtual Care to ensure our providers are available for those who need or prefer to receive care from home.

At this time, rapid testing is available at all WellNow centers.

Please note, if your rapid antigen test results negative, we are required to send a confirmatory PCR molecular test to our lab partner. For your convenience, we will swab you for both tests during your visit. The rapid antigen test will return results in 15 minutes and the confirmatory test will return results in 3-5 days.

Rapid Molecular testing is available at our centers in Oswego and Oneonta, with results available in 15 minutes.

We do not currently have the COVID-19 vaccine available to distribute to the public, please continue to check back for all up-to-date information.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that produce a wide range of illnesses from the common cold to severe respiratory infections. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a novel coronavirus which was first detected in December 2019 and has since spread to several countries, including the U.S.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
• Don’t touch your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home from school or work if possible and avoid unnecessary travel or social outings.
• Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue out.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.
• Seek medical care if you are experiencing symptoms.

Patients are welcome to walk in for COVID-19 testing and evaluation. No appointment and no prescription required. If preferred, you may schedule your visit at your nearest WellNow center. Keep in mind that COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to those caused by other respiratory infections. You may have a cold, flu or pneumonia, all of which we can treat.

WellNow is increasing the cleaning and sanitization of all facilities in alignment with the CDC to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and all other illnesses. All patients will be evaluated in a clean, sanitized room and are required to wear a mask for the duration of their visit. Masks will be provided for patients without one. Patients seeking COVID-19 testing and/or care are welcome to walk in, or if preferred may schedule their visit online.

Yes, individuals who are experiencing non-life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms are welcome to see one of our virtual providers for an evaluation. If during your virtual consultation we believe you require COVID-19 testing, we will direct you to your nearest WellNow center.

To start a virtual visit, or to find more information on how to use our platform, learn more here. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms like shortness of breath, visit your nearest ER immediately.

You may use Virtual Care to discuss your symptoms with a provider prior to your in-person testing. Although, using Virtual Care does not register you for COVID-19 virus or antibody testing. If you are looking to receive testing, simply walk-in to your nearest WellNow center or check-in for COVID-19 visits online.

Currently, we believe COVID-19 is spread like most respiratory illnesses, which is by droplets produced when coughing or sneezing.

According to the National Institutes of Health, COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for lengths of time ranging from several hours to days, depending on the type of surface.

Shortness of breath can feel like:

• A tightening sensation in the chest
• Not being able to get enough air
• Being out of breath
• Being suffocated
• Having difficulty breathing

COVID-19 and influenza are caused by two different viruses. However, symptoms are similar, which is why patients who present symptoms may receive flu testing. We will provide COVID-19 testing if necessary.

All patients seeking COVID-19 testing and/or care are welcome to walk in, or if preferred may schedule a visit online. No appointment and prescription required. Contactless check-in is available for added safety and convenience. COVID-19’s symptoms mirror other common seasonal respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia, which are treatable.

There is no currently no approved treatment for COVID-19. However, a recent study published in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (March 2020) based on a small non-randomized clinical trial is highly suggestive of reducing viral load of COVID-19 among patients who were given combination of Hydroxychloroquine & Azithromycin. Our Clinical Team is reviewing medical literature and is in discussions with a consensus panel of experts to make this safe treatment available to our patients as soon as possible.