Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a COVID-19 diagnostic test at Stanford Health Care?

COVID-19 diagnostic testing for active infection is available to current patients and members of the public at sites across the Bay Area. Some testing locations require a doctor’s order and/or appointment.

Book an appointment through MyHealth or by calling 650-498-9000.

COVID-19 antibody testing is also available. Antibody testing requires a doctor’s order and takes place at a blood draw labratory. Contact your care team for more information.

If I have COVID-19 symptoms, how should I access testing?

If you are experiencing mild symptoms, book a testing appointment through MyHealth or by calling 650-498-9000. Notify the care team that you are experiencing symptoms. COVID-19 diagnostic testing sites are located across the Bay Area. Refer to the individual site for more details.

What do I need to bring to my COVID-19 diagnostic test appointment?
How do I access my COVID-19 test result?
What should I do if I have questions about my test result?

Contact your care team through MyHealth or call 650-498-9000 if you have questions about your COVID-19 test result.

Who should I contact if I have questions about my test result?

Contact your care team through MyHealth or call 650-498-9000 if you have questions about your COVID-19 test result.

Is COVID-19 testing required before my office visit?
Is COVID-19 testing required prior to my procedure?
Can I get a COVID-19 antibody test at Stanford Health Care?

COVID-19 antibody testing is available with a doctor’s order. Antibody testing takes place at blood draw clinics. Contact your care team through MyHealth or call 650-498-9000 for more information.

When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
What requirements are needed for vaccination at Stanford Health Care?
Besides Stanford Health Care, where else can I get vaccinated?
If I receive my first vaccine dose at Stanford Health Care, am I guaranteed an appointment for my second dose?

Second doses are scheduled on-site after the first dose is administered. If you have received a first dose at Stanford and did not schedule a second dose, please call 650-498-9000 to schedule a second dose appointment at Stanford Health Care.

How do I schedule my second dose?
Can I get my second dose at Stanford Health Care if I received my first dose somewhere else?

We recommend that you receive your second vaccine dose at the same facility where you received the first dose. If this is not possible, second doses will be accommodated at Stanford Health Care with proof of vaccine record, even if the first dose was received at a different facility. Please call 650-498-9000 to schedule a second dose appointment at Stanford Health Care.

After I have received the vaccine, should I get a blood test to see if I have antibodies to COVID-19?
How is COVID-19 vaccination different for children younger than 12?
I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Do I need a third shot?
How do I make sure my vaccine records are available to my primary care physician/doctors?

If you are a Stanford Health Care patient, your medical record will be updated in MyHealth. You can also access your vaccination records from our medical records department at 650-723-5721.  If you are not a Stanford Health Care patient, please share your vaccination card with your doctor or nurse.

If I book a new appointment, what should I do with my existing appointment?
Where can I get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine?
I received a message to reschedule my appointment, what should I do to reschedule?

If you received a message to reschedule your vaccination appointment, please go to your MyHealth account or call 650-498-9000 to reschedule your appointment.

Do I need to bring anything to my COVID-19 vaccination?
I don't think I received a card when I was vaccinated. If I did, I lost it. What do I do?

We are not able to provide replacements for lost vaccine cards. You can get a copy of the record if you got the vaccine at a site run by Stanford Health Care. To get a copy:

Call the medical records office at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto: 650-723-5721

OR

If you have a MyHealth account, you can log in to a computer and print out your record. It won't print from the MyHealth app on a smartphone, unfortunately.

How do I print out my vaccine record from MyHealth?
What is the difference between a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and a booster?
I am fully vaccinated and not immunocompromised. Do I need a booster dose?
If I am under age 50, should I get the booster shot?
Can people receive flu shots and booster shots at the same time?
What is the timing from the second dose until I can get the booster?
Why are COVID-19 boosters recommended? Does this mean the COVID-19 vaccines don’t work?
What about the new Omicron variant of COVID-19? Are vaccinated people protected?
I have severe allergies (a medical history of anaphylactic reactions). Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for me?
Is it safe to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
If I already had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated?
I was diagnosed with COVID-19. When should I schedule my first vaccine dose?
I was diagnosed with COVID-19 after I received the first vaccine dose, but before I received the second dose. When should I schedule the second dose?
Which COVID-19 vaccines does Stanford Health Care offer?
Will I get to choose which COVID-19 vaccine I receive?
How do the different COVID-19 vaccines work?
Are all three COVID-19 vaccines effective?
Are mRNA vaccines safe?
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective for all racial and ethnic populations?
Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective at protecting me from the new COVID-19 variants?
Is one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine like Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech effective at protecting against the virus?
What if I want to receive J&J vaccine regardless of the CDC recommendations?
What are the short-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
What if I had a reaction to the first COVID-19 vaccine dose?
Are there any long-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, is it still possible to get COVID-19?
If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still have to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and get tested for the virus?
After I receive the vaccine, when am I considered fully vaccinated?
How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?
If the vaccination is free, why do I need to provide insurance?
My Medicare or Medi-Cal is through an HMO program. Why do I need to provide my Medicare number (MBI) or Medi-Cal number (BIC)?
What if I received a COVID-19 vaccine that is not currently authorized in the United States?
What if I completed only part of the series of a WHO approved vaccine? Can I get a second dose in the United States?
What if I completed part or all of a vaccine series outside of the U.S. that is not approved by WHO?
If I have an urgent or emergent need, is it safe to go to the emergency room?
What measures are in place to make the Emergency Department a safe environment?
What precautions are being taken to keep patients safe at Stanford Health Care?
What is contactless check-in/check-out and eArrival?
Will medical staff and employees be tested for COVID-19 prior to my procedure to ensure my safety?
Are medical staff and employees screened for symptoms?
What type of personal protective equipment will I receive as a patient?
What type of personal protective equipment will physicians and staff have to care for me?
Are there different levels of personal protective equipment I might see?
Will my temperature be taken when I arrive for my procedure?
What would prohibit me from having surgery on the day it is scheduled?
If my procedure is cancelled again will it be rescheduled? If so, when?
How are you ensuring that you’ll have sufficient supplies (PPE and testing) and space, in case there’s a resurgence of COVID-19?
What is a video visit?

or, call Stanford Primary Care at 650-498-9000

Available on:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

How do I schedule a Primary Care video visit?

or, call Stanford Primary Care at 650-498-9000

Available on:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

What types of conditions or questions can be addressed during a video visit?

Video visits are not appropriate for emergency situations. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 right away.

I am a prospective patient. Can I schedule a video visit?

or, call Stanford Primary Care at 650-498-9000

Available on:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

If I have an urgent or emergent need, is it safe to go to the emergency room?
Is there special technology that is required for a video visit?
Do I need to be a MyHealth user to access my physician or care team by video visit?
How do I access a video visit once it is scheduled?
Should I be concerned about privacy?
How will my physician or care team be able to assess my condition over video?
What information do I need to have a productive video visit? What do I need to do to be prepared?
Are there preventative services that I can access during this time?
Will interpreters be available should I or my family member need one?
Is there a difference in co-pay or the amount I will be charged for a video visit versus in-person visit?
I would rather wait to see my doctor in person.
What time do I need to arrive to ensure my procedure will start on time?
Will there be different entrances for procedure patients vs. those who may have symptoms of COVID-19?
I will be having a procedure at Stanford Health Care that requires a hospital stay. Will my family member be allowed to be with me? Are visitors allowed in the hospital?
How will my family member know where I am in the process of my procedure? How will I be able to communicate to my loved ones or family?
What type of nursing unit will I be on after my procedure?
Will COVID-19-positive patients be on that unit? Will staff members who have been taking care of COVID-19-positive patients be taking care of me?
Will interpreters be available should I or my family member need one?
How will I find out my test results?
Due to COVID-19, are there any implications to my insurance, deductible or co-pay amounts?

For billing inquiries, please contact our Customer Service Billing department at 1-800-549-3720

Will I be tested for COVID-19 prior to my procedure?
What if I test positive for COVID-19 during the pre-procedure screening?
Will I be tested for antibodies for COVID-19 prior to my procedure?
In order to have my scheduled procedure, is it mandatory to be tested for COVID-19? What are my testing options?
How many times will I be tested for COVID-19? Before and after my procedure?
What can/should I bring to the hospital? Are there items that I should not bring due to COVID-19?
Do I need to go to an appointment for my pre-op visit? Or can this be accomplished by a telehealth visit?
How many days before my procedure will I be tested for COVID-19?
Where do I get tested for COVID-19?
What if I am traveling from outside of the Bay Area?
Am I allowed to be with my loved one or family member before and after the procedure? If no, where do I wait. Will I be allowed to visit my loved one or family member?
We will be traveling from out of town. If I cannot stay with my loved one or family member in the hospital room, what accommodations are there for me?
If I need support as a family member or caregiver, who can I contact? What resources are available to me?

Our Family Resource Center is here to help.  You can reach us at or caregiver@stanfordhealthcare.org.

Who should receive the flu shot?
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
When and where can I get the flu shot?
Do I need to be an existing patient at Stanford Health Care to get a flu shot at a Stanford Health Care facility?
Will my insurance cover the flu vaccine?
Is the flu vaccine safe?
Why do I need to get the flu shot every year?
How effective is the flu vaccine?
If I’m feeling sick, should I wait to get my flu vaccine?
What are some side effects of the flu shot?
Can you get the seasonal flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Will the flu shot protect me against COVID-19?
Who is eligible to receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine?
What can I do to avoid getting the flu and COVID-19?
Is it safer to go to a drive-up clinic to get the flu shot this year?
Primary Care Video Visits
Allergy Asthma and Immunology at Menlo Medical Clinic

Phone: 650-498-6500

Diabetes Care Program
COVID-19 Testing

or, call Stanford Primary Care at 650-498-9000

Available on:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Stanford Health Care - ValleyCare–Dublin Urgent Care
Walk-In Clinic
Outpatient Imaging
Billing

For billing inquiries, please contact our Customer Service Billing department at 1-800-549-3720. Our telephone agents are ready to assist you. You can also message our billing department via your MyHealth account.

Please use your MyHealth app or visit https://myhealth.stanfordhealthcare.org.

Financial Counseling

Walk-in services have temporarily been discontinued at our Financial Counseling Office.

For Financial Counceling Inquiries, please contact our Financial Counseling Department at 650-498-2900, option 2, then option 5. Our telephone agents are ready to assist you.

Medical Records

Due to COVID-19, physical locations of the Release of Information (ROI) offices are currently closed for walk-up services but are continuing to accept requests via mail and fax.

Please call the ROI office phone number if you have any questions: 650-723-5721

Spiritual Care Service
Mask Policy
Visitor Policy

Page Updated: 01/07/2022

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