In an effort to make COVID testing more available to our community, Big Bend Regional Medical Center is offering self-referral curbside testing in front of the clinic entrance. Curbside COVID testing will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (noon). Check our Facebook page as it will be the best place to determine if BBRMC Curbside COVID testing is open.
Curbside COVID testing will not be available on holidays or weekends.
Self-Referral Curbside COVID-19 Testing
Big Bend Regional Medical Center in front of the clinic entrance
2600 N Hwy 118, Alpine, TX 79830
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (noon)
How do I get tested for COVID-19?
If you would like to be tested, drive to the front of the hospital clinic. Use the clinic driveway to enter. There is a phone number posted to call to receive instructions. A staff member (dressed in personal protective equipment) will perform the collection.
Big Bend Regional Medical Center now offers a rapid COVID-19 test using PCR (nares) methodology through our in-house laboratory. A PCR test detects a minuscule amount of viral RNA and will show any evidence of infection with COVID-19. PCR tests are more sensitive in catching asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients.
The actual time it will take you to receive test results will depend on testing demand for the day, but you should expect results in 24 hours or less.
COVID-19 testing is available through self-referral. By self-referring, you decline to meet with a primary care provider about your symptoms. (if you would like to see a provider, you can make an appointment with one of our providers by going to or call our helpful staff at 432-837-0430 and they will schedule you.)
What will my COVID-19 test cost?
Big Bend Regional Medical Center will not collect a co-pay for self-referral COVID-19 testing at the time of the curbside test; however, you may receive a bill after your insurance plan processes your bill. Please make any applicable payment when you receive the bill. Per new federal guidelines, insurance companies may now allocate a portion of COVID testing to their insurance policy holders. This means you could have to meet your deductible or pay a copay. For more information, please contact your insurance plan. Effective March 22, 2022, the federal government is no longer paying for COVID tests for patients without insurance. We will extend our standard self pay policies for those without insurance.
Can I speak with a doctor about my symptoms?
If you would like to speak with a primary care provider, and do not have one of your own, you can go to BIGBENDANYTIME.COM where you can check availability. Standard doctor visit co-pays apply for a provider appointment. You can also call to schedule an appointment at 432-837-0430.
You also have the option 24/7 to be seen by a physician in the Emergency Department. Standard emergency department hospital and physician charges apply.
How do I get tested when curbside testing is closed?
Check with your Primary Care Provider, or try one at BIGBENDANYTIME.COM or call to schedule an appointment at 432-837-0430. Standard doctor visit co-pays apply for a provider appointment.
What are the symptoms for COVID-19?
Symptoms reported with COVID-19 are cough, fever, shortness of breath, and sore throat. Research has also shown the presence of other symptoms including nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell and taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well. Schedule an appointment at BIGBENDANYTIME.COM if you want to speak with a primary care provider about any of your symptoms. Standard doctor visit co-pays apply for a provider appointment.
When should I get tested for COVID-19?
The ideal timing for the first COVID-19 test is at 4 to 5 days after the initial exposure. If the initial test is negative, test again at day 11 or 12. If you test negative for COVID-19, you may not have been infected at the time your sample was collected. But that still does not mean that you might not get sick. It can take up to 14 days to develop illness. If you have any questions about testing or symptoms, you can schedule a provider visit at BIGBENDANYTIME.COM.
What happens after I am tested for COVID-19?
Once you have been tested, you should quarantine until you know the results and your symptoms resolve. That means no running to the grocery store or going out to eat. You should receive rapid results within 24 hours of being tested. But even if you don't have COVID-19, you should stay home until 24 hours after symptoms have gone away. Flu and strep are also highly contagious.
If your result is positive, you and everyone in your household should quarantine immediately. That means children should be picked up from school. Spouses should also leave work. The likelihood of others in the family developing symptoms is high, which is why everyone should stay home.
For more information and guidelines please go to HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/YOUR-HEALTH/ABOUT-COVID-19.HTML
If household members do begin to show symptoms, they should seek testing and follow the above guidelines if their test is positive.
This is how we slow the spread: By ensuring, those you have been in close contact with don't in turn spread COVID-19 to their circles.
More resources and answers to common questions are available through the Texas Department of Health HTTPS://WWW.DSHS.TEXAS.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/DEFAULT.ASPX#IFSICK. You can also email our Texas Public Health Department at CORONAVIRUS@DSHS.TEXAS.GOV.
How do I get a printed copy of my COVID-19 test results?
You will receive a phone call to let you know the results of your test generally within 24 hours of your test, but depending on testing volume, could be as long as 48 hours.
For a copy of your results, please call our Health Information Management Department at 432-837-0485 to arrange receiving results electronically or via USPS mail if you tested positive. If you have tested positive, you should not come to the hospital. For those patients with a negative result and would prefer to pick up a copy of your results, instead of receiving them electronically or via USPS mail, please bring your drivers' license and Release of Information form (available at BIGBENDHEALTHCARE.COM) with you to Health Information Management.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Original source can be found here.
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