Information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Masks required during in-person care
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we require all patients and visitors to wear a mask or face covering while in our clinics and hospitals. We’re also screening all patients and visitors for symptoms of COVID-19.
We’re here to help you
You can schedule a video visit or phone visit the same way you would schedule any other appointment.
For our members, patients and community within Minnesota and western Wisconsin, call your clinic to schedule or make an appointment online. For our members and communities across the country, please log on to your webpage or contact member services (you can find this number on the back of your card) to find a provider in your area.
You can also use the myHP app to make appointments, find doctors and clinics covered by your insurance plan, review test results and much more. Download the myHP app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store
What if I think I might have COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, we recommend scheduling a video visit so you can talk with a doctor.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to flu symptoms, but include at least two of the following:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Repeated shaking with chills
- New loss of taste or smell
You can also call your clinic; visit our 24/7 online clinic, Virtuwell; or get screened for COVID-19 testing. For everyone’s safety, patients with suspected COVID-19 are being evaluated and treated separately from others.
For our members and communities outside of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, please log on to your webpage or contact Member Services to find a provider in your area.
How do I get tested for COVID-19?
Due to a national shortage of testing supplies, in most cases a video visit must be scheduled prior to getting tested for COVID-19. If your doctor recommends that you should be tested, we’ll work with you to schedule a drive-up test at one of our eight clinics in Minnesota currently offering tests.
Make an appointment
Schedule online
Call your clinic
COVID-19 testing cost and coverage
If you need proof of COVID-19 testing for travel or education purposes, the cost of testing is $125 (including collection). Insurance doesn’t cover COVID-19 testing for these purposes.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or your doctor recommended a COVID-19 test, the cost of testing is $132, plus $68 for collection. However, most people won’t pay for testing and collection out of pocket.
New government relief plans require all health plans to cover COVID-19 testing and related services with no patient cost sharing. “No patient cost sharing” means that you won’t pay out-of-pocket costs for any part of COVID-19 testing.
If you’re a HealthPartners member, you have 100% coverage for COVID-19 testing and diagnosis. This includes the cost of the care visit associated with testing.
HealthPartners is also waiving the cost for fully insured members for the treatment of COVID-19 when getting care from an in-network provider, effective March 1 through September 30, 2020. This includes copays, coinsurance and deductibles. If you are a self-insured member, call Member Services at the number on the back of your member ID card to understand your coverage.
For HealthPartners Medicare members, the cost of COVID-19 testing and treatment is covered fully until the federal government declares an end to the public health emergency
This includes copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
Have visitor guidelines changed for hospitals and clinics?
No visitors are allowed for:
- Emergency centers
- Operating and procedure areas
- TRIA locations
- Dental clinics
- Any patient diagnosed with COVID-19
Hospitals
In hospital areas not listed above, each patient may have one adult visitor per day.
Clinics
At clinics not listed above, each patient may have one adult visitor if support is needed.
Visitor guidelines exceptions
Exceptions to our visitor guidelines include:
- Pediatric patients – Two parents/legal guardians (Only one person for COVID-19, TRIA and dental patients)
- Birth center patients – Two support persons, including a doula (Only one person for COVID-19 patients)
- Newborn and special care nursery patients – Two parents/legal guardians (Only one person for COVID-19 patients)
- Patients who need additional assistance – A caregiver or attendant
- Compassionate care patients (end-of-life patients)
Important visitor information
We require all patients and visitors to wear a mask or face covering while in our clinics and hospitals. If you don’t have access to a face covering, the CDC website at cdc.gov has guidelines on making no-sew, cloth face coverings
You can also use something like a scarf or bandana. We’re also screening all visitors for symptoms of COVID-19. If you are sick, you will not be allowed to visit patients.
We’re encouraging patients to find other ways to connect with their loved ones, such as FaceTime, Skype or setting up Google Duo (PDF). Our patient care teams can help arrange video chats and more.
We appreciate your efforts to help protect yourself, our care teams and our entire community.
Is it safe to visit a medical or dental clinic, urgent care or hospital?
Yes. We have made several changes to our locations to help you continue to receive safe, top-quality care, including:
- Rigorous environmental and surface cleaning, disinfection and safety protocols
- Modified layouts to make social distancing easier
- Restricted visitor policies
- Wellness screenings at every entrance
- Mandatory masks or face coverings for everyone in our facilities
We have a team of infectious disease experts on staff to help guide our work, and we are following – or exceeding – safety guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Wisconsin Department of Human Services (WDH) and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. Our care facilities have consistently won many national awards for safety.
In addition, for everyone’s safety, patients with suspected COVID-19 are being evaluated and treated separately from others.
Especially if you need time-sensitive care, please don’t delay seeking treatment. Keeping you safe and healthy is our top priority. Our locations are safe and ready to care for both COVID-19 and all your other health needs.
Call your clinic to schedule a visit, make an appointment with your doctor or call 911 if you have a medical emergency.
What do I need to know about my in-person appointment?
Prepare for your appointment as you normally would. This includes bringing your ID, insurance information and any relevant medical history. Before your appointment, we’ll contact you to help you prepare for your visit.
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we require all patients and visitors to wear a mask or face covering while in our clinics and hospitals.
Masks or cloth face coverings must be worn over your mouth and nose for the duration of your appointment. Members of your care team will also wear masks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If you don’t have access to a face covering, the CDC website at cdc.gov has guidelines on making no-sew, cloth face coverings
You can also use something like a scarf or bandana. Additionally, masks can be purchased from many local and online retailers.
We’re also screening all patients and visitors for symptoms of COVID-19. We appreciate your efforts to help protect yourself, our care teams and our entire community.
Can I still get care that’s not related to COVID-19? What about time-sensitive care?
Yes. As always, we’re here to help improve your health and well-being, whether or not you need care related to COVID-19.
During this time, it’s important to continue the care you need to stay healthy. Please continue to monitor and seek treatment for chronic conditions, and don’t ignore potentially serious symptoms.
We especially encourage you to seek care for time-sensitive health needs or care that your doctor or dentist says is essential, including:
- Managing chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes
- Medically necessary procedures, imaging and lab tests
- Childhood immunizations
- Help with extreme pain management
- Time-sensitive colonoscopies and mammograms
- Heart attack symptoms
- Stroke symptoms
- Intense stomach or abdominal pain, which may be appendicitis, a gallbladder infection or something else
- Urgent dental concerns, such as severe throbbing, severe swelling, or pain that makes it difficult to sleep or eat
If you have questions about whether or not you should seek care, call your clinic, or call our nurses 24/7 at 800-551-0859 (HealthPartners CareLine℠) or 952-993-4665 (Park Nicollet Nurse Line).
In an emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Our hospitals are safe and ready to care for you.
Where can I go for urgent care?
When better can’t wait, you can visit one of our many urgent care locations or schedule an urgent care video visit.
We have rigorous safety and cleaning protocols in place to help keep you healthy. For everyone’s safety, patients with suspected COVID-19 are being evaluated and treated separately from others. We also require all patients and visitors to wear a mask or face covering while in our clinics.
Are you still holding community events and classes?
To help prevent community spread of COVID-19, we are canceling or reformatting all events and classes until further notice.
We apologize for any inconvenience these cancellations or changes cause for you and your family. If you’ve already signed up or registered for events or classes, we may be contacting you with further information.
If you have questions about your specific event or class, please contact the organizer.
How can I help support my community in the fight against COVID-19?
You can help support your community and make good happen by donating masks or blood.
Mask donations
We’re accepting donations of hospital-grade or manufactured protective face wear like N95 masks, PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator) hoods and procedure masks. Visit our COVID-19 donations page to learn more.
Blood donations
Right now, there is a critical need for blood and platelets. The American Red Cross is facing a potential blood shortage due to COVID-19 concerns. We’re urging eligible, healthy donors to provide life-saving blood and platelets to patients.
Make an appointment or find a local blood drive:
You can also use the Red Cross’s RapidPass to reduce your wait time by making an appointment and filling out the health history questionnaire online.
Food donations
Members of our community are in need of food and essentials. You can help by giving through local nonprofits:
Financial donations
With every donation, you’re providing much needed safety equipment for care teams at our hospitals and clinics. You’re also funding supplies and support for patients and our community. Visit our COVID-19 Response and Relief Fund to make a donation or learn more.
Where can I find resources for parents and caregivers during the COVID-19 outbreak?
COVID-19 has created unexpected challenges for parents, caregivers and our community.
The mission of Little Moments Count, made possible by HealthPartners, is to support you during this time. COVID-19 resources from Little Moments Count include:
- Health resources
- Parenting support
- Community resources
- Crisis help
These resources have been hand-selected by our health care and community teams. Though intended for parents and caregivers, other community members may find the information useful, too.
If you need support or assistance during COVID-19, we’re here to help you find the right information. To learn more, visit COVID-19 resources from Little Moments Count
Is there guidance for children attending school who begin to get sick?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has suggestions on whether children should attend or remain in school if they start to experience possible COVID-19 symptoms. Parents may find the MDH decision tree helpful as they make choices about their children’s health care and school attendance.
Review MDH COVID-19 decision tree for people in schools, youth and child care programs (PDF)
COVID-19 symptoms can be similar to many other illnesses, including strep throat and the flu. That means having COVID-19 symptoms isn’t the same as having COVID-19.
If you have any questions about your child’s health care, please talk to their doctor for personalized advice.
If I get COVID-19, how do I make sure my treatment wishes are followed?
We recognize that many of you may be worried about COVID-19 and how it may affect you or your family’s health. Advance care planning has long been an important element to our patient-centered care. Particularly during this crisis, it becomes even more important for us to know about your values and priorities for care.
If you have questions about how this virus may affect you or the decisions that you may need to make if you became very sick, we recommend that you talk with your doctor. This is especially important if you are over 65 or have an underlying medical condition.
We also encourage everyone 18 and over to complete a health care directive. You can find the forms needed as well as a variety of supporting resources throughout our advance care planning information page.
Will the flu vaccine prevent COVID-19?
The flu vaccine won’t prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19. However, we definitely recommend that everyone still get an annual flu shot to protect against influenza.
Where can I learn more about COVID-19?
For the latest updates on COVID-19, go to:
HealthPartners and Park Nicollet are following these three organizations’ prevention, screening and treatment guidelines. We are working closely with these organizations and other health care providers around Minnesota, Wisconsin and the country to help prevent the virus from spreading. View our COVID-19 preparedness plan (PDF).
For more information about COVID-19 and coping in the workplace, please click here.