For the latest information and updates on COVID-19 please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/
Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
*List does not include all possible symptoms.
You may now qualify for treatment options for COVID-19 if:
- You are older than 12 years old.
- You or a loved one have tested positive for COVID-19.
- You are at high risk for serious COVID-19 and have been recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
- You have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and your symptoms have been present for 10 or less days.
- You are in the hospital and have COVID-19.
Click here to learn more.
Obtain a COVID-19 Test:
As of Nov. 9, 2022 patients will no longer be able to self-request a COVID-19 test. If you’re experiencing symptoms, or need a COVID-19 test you can:
Option 1: Contact your primary care provider or visit your local urgent care to be seen by a provider who will assess your symptoms. If your provider determines you need a COVID-19 test you will be able to schedule that test through MyChart or with your provider’s office.
Option 2: If your symptoms are severe or you need to speak to a nurse, please call the Nurse Triage Line at 605-755-1350. They are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Testing & Results
Can I get tested if I’m not sick?
Yes. Monument Health offers COVID-19 PCR testing for people who have no symptoms or known exposure but need to be tested for travel, return to work, return to school or return to school activities.
Under federal guidelines, this type of testing is not covered by Medicare and many private insurance plans. The cost is $225. All patients having non-covered COVID-19 testing are expected to pre-pay before services.
If you are traveling out of state, visit the CDC website travel plan page to check the COVID-19 requirements for the state you are traveling to.
Patients can schedule COVID-19 PCR testing by:
- Calling the Nurse Triage Line at 755-1350
Asymptomatic patients will be required to sign up for MyChart to receive their COVID-19 results. Turnaround times will be 24-48 hours.
COVID-19 testing may be covered by insurance when associated with:
- Patients who have COVID-19 symptoms
- Pre-surgical services
- Exposure to a known positive
- Hospital admission, discharge or transfer
- Pregnancy/Antenatal screening
- Required testing for treatment/procedures
Free alternative – at-home testing:
The South Dakota Department of Health offers a free, at-home COVID-19. For more information, visit the Department of Health website.
How many COVID-19 positive inpatients does Monument Health have?
Monument Health COVID-19 facts can be found here.
How are samples processed?
Monument Health Laboratories has its own in-house test processing, and the turnaround time for results is 24 to 48 hours.
How do I get my test results?
Test results are sent to the provider who ordered your test or to your Monument Health primary care provider. Patients will also be able to read the results of their COVID-19 test by logging onto their MyChart profile.
- If the test is positive, Monument Health nursing staff will call you. Afterward, we’ll also post the results in your MyChart account.
- If the test is negative, your results will be posted in your MyChart account or sent by mail, depending on your preference. (MyChart is much faster.)
Monument Health MyChart can be accessed online or patients can download the MyChart app via Google Play Store or Apple Store.
For more information on how to use MyChart click here.
Can an antibody test measure immunity?
At this time, the current antibody tests cannot test or measure the immunity provided from the vaccines. They are approved for detecting past natural infections, and do not provide any proof that an individual does — or does not — have any neutralizing antibodies.
Some requests have come as a response to information in recent news stories about how immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients may not receive the same level of protection from COVID-19 vaccines.
The CDC notes that patients with moderately to severely compromised immune systems don’t always develop the same level of immunity after vaccination compared to people who are not immunocompromised. However, this cannot be measured using the antibody tests currently available.
Other COVID-19 Questions
What is the concern with COVID-19 variants?
Viruses constantly change through mutation. When a virus has one or more new mutations it’s called a variant of the original virus. Currently, several variants of the virus (SARS-CoV2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are creating concern in the U.S. Learn more about the variants here.
Do I qualify to receive a COVID-19 treatment?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized treatments for emergency use. All treatments may not be authorized for outpatient care. Learn more about treatments and monocolonal antibodies here.
What medications work to treat COVID-19?
Currently Monument Health uses these approved medications to treat patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19.
Debunking COVID-19 myths
Chances are you’ve heard about a food, drug or other method that claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. But while it might be tempting to use a questionable product or method to stay healthy during the pandemic, it’s extremely unlikely to work and might cause serious harm. Read more here.
What financial services are available to help pay my bills?
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating many challenges, and we understand your ability to pay bills may be affected. Our Patient Financial Advocates can help develop plans to ease your financial hardship and the stress you’re experiencing during this time. Learn more here.
What are telemedicine appointments and how do they work?
To help keep patients with health care needs at home, Monument Health has launched telemedicine appointments in our primary care, specialty clinics and therapy services. Learn more here.
