SoHum Health’s Laboratory offers PCR COVID-19 testing
The SoHum Health Laboratory offers PCR COVID-19 testing 7 days a week from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the Emergency Department entrance at Jerold Phelps Community Hospital. Appointments are recommended unless you have an order for a test from your medical provider. If you have an provider’s order, please let us know. Call (707) 613-0055 to schedule a testing appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How long does it take?
A: Once your specimen is collected, results will be available within 24 hours.
Q: What if I’m really sick or need the test results sooner?
A: If you’re concerned that you have symptoms of COVID-19 and urgently need testing, we encourage you to contact your primary care provider. If you believe you’re having a medical emergency, you can sign in to be seen in our Emergency Department. If you need results sooner than 24 hours for appointments, the birth of a child, travel, or other reasons, please let the receptionist know and we will accommodate you the best we can.
Q: How do I get my results?
A: If your test result is positive, your doctor or a SoHum Health provider will call you at the phone number you provided. You can access your test results through your patient portal or by arriving the following day to receive a printout of your results from the medical records department. In order to receive a print out of your test results, you will need to complete our Release of Information form.
Q: Is testing free?
A: SoHum Health bills for COVID-19 virus testing services like any other service. The CARES Act requires third-party payers, including Medicare, Medicaid (Medi-Cal), and health insurance companies to pay 100% of the costs of these services, but we cannot promise that they will do so. For California residents without insurance, there is a special program that may pay for testing for those who provide their personal information and apply for this special Medi-Cal benefit. For those without insurance and who do not wish to sign up for the special Medi-Cal program, the charge for the test is $127.
Q: How often can I get tested at SoHum Health?
A: Patients should not test more than twice within 14 days, and should not test again for 90 days following a positive test unless directed to do so by a physician. The CDC has recognized that patients may continue to test positive long after they are no longer contagious and recommends that people who test positive return to work, school, and community life after 10 days (or after 5 days with certain precautions). SoHum Health can help provide guidance to employers, school administrators, and others needing this information.
Additional Testing Resources in Humboldt County:
OptumServe Testing Sites
To schedule a test at an OptumServe site, go to lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Making an appointment in advance is strongly encouraged but not required. This is a nasal test for the active COVID-19 virus and infections.