Valley Medical and Wellness

COVID-19: FAQ

Q: Is VMW staying open during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A: Valley Medical and Wellness (VMW) is considered an essential business and will remain open. We will continue to see patients and are continuing to schedule appointments as normal. Our normal hours of operation continue to be the same for each location. VMW is also implementing a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory and will be able to provide COVID-19 Testing.

Q: Can VMW test me for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?

A: Yes. Valley Medical and Wellness is now offering COVID-19 tests for all Minnesotans.

If you would like to request a test, please visit our website and complete the COVID-19 Screening Form and schedule a Telemedicine Visit with one of our providers. Your VMW provider will order the test for you and schedule you to come in ASAP to have your nasopharyngeal sample collected at a Curbside/Drive-Thru Visit. Test results are available within 4-24 hours and will be given to you over Klara.

If you would rather see your own primary doctor and have them refer you for a test, please navigate to our website and download the Provider COVID-19 Test Referral Form and follow the instructions to give that to your doctor. Once we receive the referral from your doctor, we can schedule your Drive-Thru test.

A third option is to skip seeing a provider and schedule your curbside collection after completing the COVID-19 Testing Screening Questionnaire. However, please note that some insurance plans may not cover testing unless ordered by a healthcare professional.

Q: Can I still come to the clinic even through there is a “shelter in place” order issued for Minnesota?

A: Valley Medical and Wellness (VMW) is considered an essential business and will remain open. We are continuing to see patients during this time and are continuing to schedule appointments as normal. Our normal hours of operation continue to be the same for each location. Individuals are allowed to leave their home for exempted outings, such as a medical appointment, even during a “shelter in place” order. We can provide you a written letter to allow your travel. Your appointment confirmation texts or Klara can be used to verify your appointment as needed.  

Q: What is VMW doing to protect me during my office visit?

A: Valley Medical and Wellness (VMW) is taking the recent COVID-19 situation very seriously. Your health is our number one priority and we are committed to help stop the spread of the virus and to protect our patients, staff, and the community. Although these are unsettling times and your daily experience may continue to change, our team is dedicated continuing to service our patients every day how we normally would.

We are taking additional precautions by implementing more rigorous disinfecting protocols between VMW staff and our contracted cleaning services. This includes disinfecting all common areas multiple times per day such as the credit card machine, beverage stands, and all communal surfaces such as chairs and desks. We are offering Curbside Visits and Telemedicine for patients who are symptomatic or considered to be at a greater risk should you contract a viral infection (i.e. those who have a compromised immune system or other illness as defined by the CDC). We are also requiring that patients do not bring companions (e.g. family members, friends, pets) into the clinic with them to appointments as we minimize the number of people in our lobby to practice social distancing. Only essential caregivers will be allowed to accompany patients into the clinic. Non-essential companions that come into the clinic will be asked to wait outside the clinic.

VMW is also starting a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, which will be available to our current patients, as well as all other Minnesotans who qualify for a test by taking our online screening questionnaire. These tests will be conducted outside of the clinic so there is no additional risk to our current patients receiving our other services.

Q: What if I am self-quarantined and cannot leave my home?

A: If you are self-quarantined because you have come into contact with someone who is ill; you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, or fever; or because you are considered to be at a greater risk should you contract a viral infection, such as those who have a compromised immune system or other illnesses, VMW is now offering “Curbside Visits” in order to help minimize exposure to our patients and staff. Patients who are under quarantine are still allowed to leave for medical appointments, and your appointment confirmation texts, or Klara can be used to verify your appointment as needed. These visits are conducted entirely from your vehicle and are available to our current patients.

Q: What if I am at high risk due to having a compromised immune system or other illnesses and do not have a vehicle to perform a curbside visit in?

A: All locations are equipped with isolated waiting areas for patients who at high risk. We recommend you bring a urine specimen with you to these appointments which can be brought in any sealable container such as an empty, clean water bottle or a urine specimen cup, which can be purchased at most pharmacies in order to avoid using the clinic bathrooms. Upon arrival to the clinic, follow signs to designated waiting areas after checking in.

We also have Telemedicine appointments available for anyone who is high-risk or symptomatic but have no transportation to the clinic (such as those individuals who usually take public transportation or a medical cab). VMW can offer Telemedicine/Telehealth virtual visits on a limited basis. However, will still require a urine specimen in order to prescribed controlled narcotics, therefore we will ask if a friend or family member can drop off a sample within 24 hours of your appointment. All Telemedicine appointments are conducted over Klara.

Q: What can I expect from a “Curbside Visit”?

A: Curbside Visits will be available at our Burnsville and Woodbury locations for our current patients who are symptomatic or are at a greater risk should they contract a viral infection. They are done entirely from your vehicle so that we can minimize the contact you have with others. If you are needing a Curbside Visit, please message scheduling via Klara or call at 612-444-3000 OPTION 2.

Once you arrive for your scheduled Curbside Visit, do NOT exit your vehicle. Please contact the front desk and alert them of your arrival and “check in” for your appointment over the phone and pay necessary copays. Our medical staff will guide you through a series of questions on the phone and then your provider will meet you at your vehicle to conduct your visit and collect your urine specimen. You are required to bring a urine specimen with you to these appointments which can be brought in any sealable container such as an empty, clean water bottle or a urine specimen cup, which can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Q: What if I was exposed to someone who is sick, but I don’t have symptoms?

A: If you believe you were exposed to someone who has cold- and flu-like symptoms, but are not experiencing any symptoms yourself, we ask that you wear a mask to your appointment and practice social/physical distancing precautions.

Q: Can I still have my office visit if I do have cold- and flu-like symptoms?

A: If you are experiencing cold- and flu-like symptoms, we ask that you do not come into the clinic to risk exposing others to illness. VMW is now offering curbside visits and your entire appointment will be conducted from your vehicle. If you are too sick to come for a curbside appointment, we can reschedule your appointment until you are feeling well enough, or we can offer you a telemedicine visit on a case-by-case basis.

We can also offer you a COVID-19 test. Please visit our website and complete the COVID-19 screening form to request an appointment for a test.

Q: What if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

A: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you stay home and follow the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. We will ensure you will be able to continue your currently prescribed medication during your quarantine period. We will address this on a case-by-case basis and can offer you Telemedicine/Telehealth virtual visits during your quarantine period.

Q: What if I have cold- or flu-like symptoms but cannot take public transportation to the clinic for my appointment?

A: VMW can offer Telemedicine/Telehealth virtual visits on a limited basis. However, will still require a urine specimen in order to prescribed controlled narcotics, therefore we will ask if a friend or family member can drop off a sample within 24 hours of your appointment. All Telemedicine appointments are conducted over Klara.

Q: Can I still have a “curbside visit” if I take a medical cab or take public transportation?

A: Curbside visits are not available for medical cabs or public transportation. If you are considered to be at a greater risk should you contract a viral infection (i.e. you have a  compromised immune system or other illness as defined by the CDC), and a vehicle is not available to you, you take public transportation, or a medical cab, VMW can offer you a Telemedicine/Telehealth visit. However, will still require a urine specimen in order to prescribed controlled narcotics, therefore we will ask if a friend or family member can drop off a sample within 24 hours of your appointment. All Telemedicine appointments are conducted over Klara.

If you are symptomatic of cold- or flu-like symptoms and cannot obtain private transportation, we ask that you do not take public transportation. We can offer you a Telemedicine/Telehealth visit in this case.

Q: Can I get my medication refilled without an office visit?

A: Unfortunately, we cannot send in your normal prescription refill without an office visit. However, if you are sick, or are at a higher risk if you should contract a viral infection, we can offer you accelerated “Curbside Visits” entirely from your vehicle.

Q: Does VMW supply masks for patients?

A: While VMW does have a limited supply of masks, we are only supplying masks to symptomatic patients at this time in order to ensure we have enough for sick patients. Patients who are healthy may not benefit by wearing a mask.

Q: Do I need to wear a mask when I come into my appointment?

A: Masks only need to be worn by symptomatic patients. Patients who are healthy may not benefit by wearing a mask. In order to make sure we have enough masks available to give to patients who are sick, we are only giving them to symptomatic patients. If you are symptomatic, we ask that you please let the clinic know at least 48 hours prior to your appointment so that we may reschedule your appointment or offer you a “curbside visit”.

Q: My primary doctor is doing appointments over video, does VMW have the option for Telemedicine visits?

A: VMW does offer Telemedicine visits to individuals who are at high risk should they contract a viral infection or for individuals who are symptomatic of COVID-19 and cannot obtain private transportation to have a curbside visit. These appointments are scheduled on a case by case basis and are available to current patient follow up appointments.

If you have additional questions about how VMW is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, you can text us on your Klara account, email us at patientservices@valleymedical.com, or call us at 612-444-3000 and select option 1.