Seeking Medical Care During COVID-19

We understand that making decisions about whether and how to seek medical care during a pandemic can be complicated.

Our commitment to you is to provide the care you need, when you need it, where you need it, as safely and conveniently as possible. You don’t have to make these decisions alone!

Whether you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, or have questions about rescheduling a procedure that was cancelled, do not hesitate to contact your care provider. They will help you determine next steps that are right for you, and — in many cases — you won’t even have to leave home.

Emergency Care

If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Do not delay in seeking emergency care. Waiting too long to seek care for some health care emergencies is a bigger risk to your health than the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Our Level 1 trauma centers continue to provide high quality emergency care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even during the pandemic. We have put several measures in place to keep patients safe in our emergency departments. Learn more about our adult emergency services and children’s emergency services.

Elective Surgery and Procedures

Michigan Medicine has begun rescheduling elective (non-urgent) surgery as the State of Michigan has lifted the restrictions on these procedures. We continue to work to safely increase our surgical capacity so we can reschedule the procedures that were cancelled at the height of the pandemic. Contact your clinic for more information about rescheduling a surgical procedure.

Lab Work and Imaging

We continue to offer lab work and imaging at our hospitals and select health centers. View a list of open laboratory / blood draw locations or imaging locations.

In-Person Clinic Appointment

We are taking extra precautions to ensure patients who require a physical exam can safely and confidently receive care at our clinics. Some of our clinics are still operating in a limited capacity, but your care team will help you determine if you need to be seen in-person and schedule you for an appointment at the best location for you.

Medical Care and Consultation from Home

We offer a number of convenient ways to receive care without leaving your home:

  • E-Visits: Fill out a questionnaire regarding your symptoms for a variety of specific conditions and receive a quick reply from a Michigan Medicine provider through the MyUofMHealth patient portal. If appropriate, diagnostic testing, medications and follow up care can be arranged as part of an E-Visit Learn more about E-Visits.
  • Video Visits: Experience a live face-to-face visit with a healthcare provider using your smartphone or tablet and the MyUofMHealth mobile app. Learn more about Video Visits.
  • After-hours primary care phone service: All of our primary care clinics offer an after-hours phone service staffed by Michigan Medicine registered nurses. This service is available 365 days a year for established primary care patients. Learn more about after-hours primary care.

COVID-19 Evaluation

We offer enhanced access to COVID-19 evaluation for Michigan Medicine patients and employees, including our 24-7 COVID Hotline and curbside screening. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only for patients and employees of Michigan Medicine at 734-763-6336.

We are honored you have trusted us as your health care team, and will do everything we can to keep you safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Receiving Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

How are you keeping patients with in-person appointments safe from exposure to COVID-19?

Our commitment to giving you a safe, reliable place to receive care has never been more a priority for us. Guided by our internationally respected infection prevention experts and recommendations from the CDC, we have taken a number of steps in addition to our standard rigorous infection control measures to ensure our facilities remain safe places for you to confidently receive care. Learn more about how we are keeping patients safe at our hospitals and health centers.

How is it decided whether an appointment should be a Video Visit or an in-person visit?

If your medical care needs are time sensitive or require in-person treatment, you will be scheduled for an in-person appointment. For non-emergency care, or care that doesn’t require an in-person exam, your provider may suggest a Video Visit.

Why do I have to come in for an appointment instead of having a Video Visit with my provider?

If you are scheduled for an in-person appointment, it means that your provider has identified you as someone whose care demands an in-person appointment. Your care team has weighed the risks to you of delaying in-person evaluation against the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the community to determine whether an in-person appointment is the safest option for your overall health.

Why can’t I get an in-person appointment instead of a Video Visit?

Your provider wants what is best for you. If your provider schedules a Video Visit for you, it means that they have determined your risk of exposure to COVID-19 outweighs the advantages of being seen in-person. As our community moves through this pandemic, the best way to keep everyone safe is to limit in-person contact when possible. Video Visits allow for our patients to be cared for in a timely and safe manner.

If I am scheduled for an in-person appointment, will it be with my regular provider?

To protect our patients, we need to keep the number of people in our clinics to a minimum to allow for appropriate social distancing. This means that not every provider will be at the clinic each day. You may be scheduled with a different provider. The provider will be a Michigan Medicine provider who is a teammate of your regular provider and has been chosen because they are qualified to meet your care needs. The provider scheduled to see you will have reviewed your history ahead of time and will consult with your regular provider. Our teams are committed to providing you with the best care.

Will my in-person appointment be at my usual clinic location?

In order to limit exposure for our patients, their families, and our staff, we have made several temporary adjustments at our outpatient clinics. Some of our clinics have temporarily reduced operations. Your appointment may be at a different location than the one you usually visit. Our team will make sure your appointment is scheduled at a location equipped for your needs, and you can count on the same rigorous attention to safety and infection prevention at all of our health centers.                    

Contact your care team or visit the MyUofMHealth Patient Portal to double-check the location of your appointment, or check out this list of temporary clinic location changes.

Can I bring someone with me to my in-person appointment?

We understand how important it is to have support during your medical appointments. During the pandemic, we have changed our visitation policy to ensure the safety of our patients, our staff and our community. Visitors are currently restricted, with limited special exceptions. Learn more about our temporary visitor policy.

Can I have someone participate in my appointment by video or phone call?

Yes. We understand the importance of family support for our patients, and value patients and families as partners in care. If you would like to include a friend or family member to participate in your appointment, you are welcome to use your phone or mobile device to connect with them.

Is it safe to go to a hospital emergency department during a pandemic?

If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.                    

Yes, it is safe to go to a hospital emergency department if you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms.

Our adult and children’s emergency departments are isolating patients with symptoms of respiratory illness to limit contact with other patients. Patients and staff wear face masks at all times, and each patient room is cleaned between patients. Learn more about measures we are taking to keep our patients safe from COVID-19.

Waiting too long to seek care for some health care emergencies is a bigger risk to your health than the risk of contracting COVID-19.

When should I call 911 or go to an emergency department?

Common reasons patients should call 911 or go to an emergency department include (but are not limited to):                    
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Sudden or unexpected paralysis, weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body, reduced vision in one eye, trouble speaking or severe headache (stroke symptoms)
  • Unexplained stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • A major injury, such as a head trauma
  • Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Poisoning or suspected poisoning
  • Coughing up or vomiting blood
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain
  • Severe burns
  • Suicidal or homicidal feelings

Call your primary care provider with questions about whether you should seek emergency care or whether you can be seen through a Video Visit or same-day in-person clinic appointment.