Cape Cod Healthcare Announces Physician Policy Update for COVID-19 Testing

(Hyannis, MA – March 20, 2020) Due to an overwhelming demand for COVID-19 testing since the roll out of drive-through testing this week, Cape Cod Healthcare has revised its policy relative to physicians able to order testing for patients. As of March 20, 2020, a physician must have affiliated status with Cape Cod Healthcare to submit a patient’s order for drive-through testing. By limiting the ability to order testing to physicians in the Cape Cod Healthcare network, the healthcare system will be better able to meet the needs of the community. A physician outside of the network will not be able to submit an order for testing.

Effective March 20, 2020, those Individuals without a primary care physician who are experiencing symptoms, including fever, coughing or shortness of breath, should call 508-862-5595 and they will be screened for COVID-19 testing with a Cape Cod Healthcare clinical provider via phone. If testing is required, the clinical provider will follow the same process of submitting the doctor’s order to the testing team and the patient will be called with a testing appointment time.

To receive testing, patients must be screened for COVID-19 by a clinical care provider, receive a doctor’s order and an appointment for COVID-19 testing. Patients displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider to be screened for COVID-19. Those arriving at the testing site without a doctor’s orders and/or an appointment will be turned away without exception. For more information on the COVID-19 testing process, www.capecodhealth.org/coronavirus.

If you are experiencing SERIOUS symptoms and do not have a primary care provider, please visit the triage tents located outside of Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital for screening.

Falmouth Hospital: 100 Ter Heun Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540

Cape Cod Hospital: 27 Park Street, Hyannis, MA 02601