How to get the COVID-19 Testing if you were sick in Silicon Valley today?
Well, did I got the flu? Maybe it’s just a cold? Or it’s COVID-19?
It’s been almost a year of lockdown and new life with the ‘working at home’. I never thought I would be living a life like this in California. But 2020, definitely redefine many of the expectations, and today I hit a new high. Am I getting COVID-19…?
The Weekly Cadence = deadly?
As usual, I went to the supermarket to stock up on my weekly grocery on a Saturday evening. I was always wearing a mask outside, cleaning my hands, and avoiding people as much as I can.
And of course, everything seems fine until the next morning, I woke up with a scratchy throat. Something is not right, but I moved on as usual until it hits me…
The Troubled Morning
Thursday morning, I was supposed to host a webinar for Intel. I set multiple alarms with my trusted Alexa and iPhone and getting ready to rock the show. Yet, I did not wake up, I was in a weird state where I completely got knocked out.
At approximately 10 am (instead of 6 am for the show), I woke up with sinus pain, a chill, and a sweaty back. I don’t have any high fever, but my body is giving me a signal that you are not ‘doing well’.
The Mixed Answers
I got mixed answers for the same question I asked — How do I get myself tested for COVID-19? It all depends on who we are talking to: Health insurance providers, a medical staff, an online system, or a real doctor?
With my anxiety building up, I want to get to the bottom of it as soon as I can. I start searching for the answer — How do I get COVID-19 testing done today? Here are the answers I got from various phone calls and what I found online after hours of search.
Health Insurance Provider
Currently, I’m working for Intel and we got the health plan under Connected Care California. At the back of my health card, there is a number we can call the Health Insurance provider to ask for assist. Surely, I called, and here is what I got.
First, you will be welcome by a menu of options, and of course, the top 3 will be COVID-19 related.
After 5–10 minutes of waiting and digging, I finally got on the phone with a ‘real person’. I explained my situation to the person on the line, and ask how I can get my test done today. The immediate answer I got was to “go to the ER” because I was experiencing symptoms. I was also informed that you will be rejected for any visit if I talk to anyone else. Lastly, she provided a ‘list’ of urgent care facilities around me and making sure I will be ‘within’ the network. But in the end, she also told me as long as it’s COVID-19 related, it’s all covered under the plan. It’s actually a rather good surprise as dealing with insurance is definitely one of the last things I want to handle now.
After the call, I decided to reach out to the ‘extended’ list of care facilities. And I don’t know if going to the ER is the right choice!
Online Scheduling with Santa Clara County Public Health
With more digging and digging, finally, I found out we can book an appointment online for COVID-19 testing in the County of Santa Clara. Herewith this link you will be able to get on the scheduling system… which brings to you a set of Q&A, putting your email and all before you finally get on the ‘scheduling’ link.
Then, when I follow the link in the email, it then brings me to another website that handles the process…
And with this system, the earliest appointment I can get will be next week… That’s basically 4–5 days later with the current testing capacity.
And once you book the appointment, you will receive a QR code that you would scan once you got to the site… And lastly, you will find out that this test was done by Healthvana…
Instant Urgent Care
Getting myself tested by next Monday is not really acceptable especially I’m already experiencing symptoms. After 1/2 hour of an extensive search to see what’s near my neighbor and also within the health care network, I finally got onto the Instant Urgent Care website.
So again, I went through the registration process, entering all my personal information. Basically, they will ask you to take photos of your insurance card and your driver’s license with a webcam on your laptop. After all the fiddling, I finally got on the system and surprisingly I found an available spot (walk-in) a few hours from now!
Then, I got a call from them. They called me about the insurance and saying that they cannot verify it. I was a little bit surprised and also wonder if it’s the ‘time’ for handling insurance questions! I was slightly annoyed, and eventually, after another half an hour of back and forth, they settled as just send the bill over and see…
Then, the appointment was canceled… Again! The reason was they won’t allow a walk-in if you have any symptoms as doctors and staff do not have the proper PPE right now. However, they then put me on a video conferencing (telemedicine) and so they can get the rapid test approved. Apparently, you are not allowed to get tested if you are not screened by the doctor? I do not know what exactly these all about except it seems like a way to get more billing done. $$$?
They then provided the details over the email. In that email, they provide a link to the app for video conferencing, which reminds me of the tool from the early 90s with the weird UI and all… After all, it was a very chaotic experience…
The good news is … I finally got on a rapid COVID-19 test for today!
Stanford Health Care (Medical Staffs)
Since Intel’s Health Insurance is part of the Stanford Health Care Alliance… I then immediately start looking for the COVID-19 test from the Stanford Health Care system online as a comparison. I just not trusting the Instant Urgent Care system given all the chaos.
Again after another 10 minutes of the registration process!, I’m finally in the system. Apparently, we can book an appointment for COVID-19 Testing, and luckily, I see appointments available as soon as tomorrow. Then, I made that booking immediately and also made a call to them and see if we got something earlier.
Then, I was greeted by another set of phone menu — with COVID-19 as the top 3 options as usual. After I got on the phone with someone, she was very kind to look for the earliest appointment for me and put me on a 1:15 pm for tomorrow! I believe that’s my win? After hours of my time of searching around this complete chaos, I got the rapid test ready by tonight and another lab test by tomorrow.
The Actual Tests
Rapid COVID-19 Test
In the same evening, I received a call from the Instant Urgent Care team, and they told me the result directly over the phone. It was ‘negative’. It was a relief, but also there are lots of ‘false-negative’! So tomorrow’s lab test with Stanford will then be the final test I would need to double validate the result.
Stanford’s COVID-19 Test
The initial impression when I arrive at the parking lots if how well the whole operation was organized. There are clear signs, call reminders, follow-up instruction, and staff who are supporting this. There are multiple checkpoints that you have to get through to validate your identity with your full name, date of birth, and driver ID.
The swab was much much less painful this time. The way they collect it seems much more professional. Basically, the medical staff will insert a rather long and fine plastic stick into your nose, and then they will leave it in for approximately 10 seconds.
Final Tips 1–2–3
To summarize my learnings. Here are my top 1–2–3, if you are experiencing mild symptoms and want to get tested on COVID-19.
- Look for your primary care provider or the closest urgent care provider, and ask for the telemedicine options. You will not be able to visit the office if you are experiencing symptoms. After that, you may be able to get on the rapid testing on the same day!
- Get on the https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/home.aspx And book an appointment. The next available appointment may go up to 2–3 days in the future, and the result may take a while to come back too.
- If you are on Stanford Health Care, get on the system, and look for a COVID-19 testing appointment. If you are lucky, the appointment could be ready as soon as the next day. However, the test may take 2–3 days to come back! So be prepared.
If you are feeling seriously ill, go see the ER and be safe! Stop reading online posts and go check out with a real doctor such as your primary care provider!
Final Thoughts
We just passed the thanksgiving holiday season last week. With millions of people traveling during the holiday, we are on the track to set many new ‘unprecedented’ records this year for sure.
I really appreciated all the supports that we had put in place so far. Look at the dedicated health workers on the field working over the clock. All the online system and testing capabilities that are available to us…
Also, I would like to thank my manager and co-workers from Intel for covering for me over this chaotic time. I am glad that Intel had been such a supportive company throughout the entire pandemic! Thank you!
