LANSING, Mich. – To help remove barriers and ensure more Michiganders have access to COVID-19 outpatient treatments, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering a Test to Treat program at 13 locations across the state that offer no-cost testing and telehealth services.
“Early access to these medications helps support faster recovery and decreases the risk of hospitalization,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “COVID-19 treatments are most effective at preventing severe illness when taken as soon after symptoms start. This program provides Michiganders with limited access to a health care provider the ability to be evaluated and treated for COVID-19, rapidly, confidentially and at no-cost.”
Michigan is the first state to launch this federal initiative at neighborhood testing sites that provide rapid access to no-cost COVID-19 antiviral medications.
“Through a partnership between the State of Michigan, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, telehealth is enabling easy access to these life-saving medications,” said Matt Quinn, Science Director of the Army’s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center.
Test to Treat sites allow individuals to access testing, a health assessment and medication prescriptions all in one visit. Michigan residents who test positive for COVID-19 at these locations will be able to utilize telehealth services on-site.
The health care provider will talk to the individual who tests positive, and through a confidential conversation that includes reviewing health history and current medications, the provider will determine whether the individual is eligible for antiviral treatment. The provider will then submit a prescription to a pharmacy close to the site, chosen by the individual.
The telehealth testing sites are located as follows:
Wayne County Community College Northwest Campus, 8200 West Outer Drive. Detroit
Word of Life Church, 460 West Atherton Road, Flint.
Albion College-Washington Gardner, 401 East Michigan Avenue, Albion.
New Beginnings Deliverance Ministry, 2609 E. Genesee, Saginaw.
Macedonia Baptist Church, G5443 North Saginaw Street, Flint.
Westwood Mall, 3020 US-41, Marquette.
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 33640 Michigan Avenue, Detroit.
International Gospel Center, 375 Salliotte Road, Ecorse.
Bethel Baptist Church, 5715 Holcomb Street, Suite 33, Detroit.
Southwestern Church of God, 3032 Fort Street, Detroit.
Christ Temple Church, 412 East Sherman Boulevard, Muskegon.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1105 East Main Street, Benton Harbor.
Calvary Lutheran Church, 8129 Packard Avenue, Warren.
There are many COVID-19 treatment options available. Individuals who are at high-risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19 infection are encouraged to discuss these options with the health care provider.
The criteria used to select the communities offering telehealth services include:
A High Social Vulnerability Index.
A high percentage of people over age 50 tested at the identified site.
Locations in with limited access to health care sites outside of emergency departments.
Sites with a high testing throughput.
For more information about COVID-19 testing, treatments and vaccination, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
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