Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.  People who have symptoms of COVID-19

2.  People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection:
     a.  Fully vaccinated persons should be tested 5-7 days after exposure.
     b.  People who are not fully vaccinated should be tested immediately.  If negative, test again 5-7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

Close contact is defined as:
1.  Someone who was less than 6 feet away from infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
     a. For example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes.

2.  An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic people, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date).

     a. Example 1:  You spend time with a person (less than 6 feet for 15 minute or more) on Saturday.  If the COVID-19 positive person started having symptoms on Thursday, you do not meet the criteria of a close contact and testing is not recommended.

     b.  Example 2: You spend time with a person (less than 6 feet for 15 minute or more) on Saturday.  If the COVID-19 positive person started having symptoms on Monday, you meet the criteria of a close contact and should follow testing recommendations listed above.
 

1.  Symptomatic personnel: must isolate at home for 10 days.  May return to work if at least 24 hours fever free AND symptoms have improved at the 10 day point.

2.  Asymptomatic personnel:
     a. Unvaccinated- isolate at home for 10 days from positive test date.  If you develop symptoms during your isolation period, you should isolate for 10 days after your symptoms began.
     b. Vaccinated - isolate at home for 10 days.  If you develop symptoms during that timeframe, continue to isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms began.

1.  Symptomatic personnel:  isolate at home until symptoms have improved AND you are fever-free for at least 24 hours.

2.  Asymptomatic personnel: 
     a. Unvaccinated: quarantine at home for 14 full days. Test again 5-7 days after the known exposure.  If negative, continue to quarantine until 14 days is complete.
     b.  Vaccinated:  may return to work with mask on as long as you remain asymptomatic.  Get tested between days 5-7 after a known exposure.  If positive-isolate at home.  If negative, return to work.

Call or visit your nearest Urgent Care facility if you have a non-life-threatening health issue. If you have a life-threatening health issue, call 911 (522 on Joint Base Andrews) immediately.

Call 911] immediately to get emergency care if you have a life-threatening health issue or visit Joint Base Andrews if it's your nearest hospital. To reach Joint Base Andrews Emergency Care, call 911 (522 on Joint Base Andrews)

Call the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line to speak to a registered nurse about your health concern.

Yes. Call Joint Base Andrews, at 911 (522 on Joint Base Andrews), if you have a life-threatening health issue.
 

Yes. Call 1-888-999-1212, option 1, 1, for an acute appointment or go directly to the ECC.

1-2 weeks depending on tests ordered (this includes time to fax) Results are sent directly to the ordering healthcare professional. Please ask your healthcare provider to contact you when your test results have been received.

Please contact your healthcare provider or Medical Records Department to obtain copies of your test results. The Laboratory is prohibited from giving patient results to anyone other than licensed providers.

Please address questions related to interpretation of your test results to your personal healthcare provider. Your doctor will interpret your laboratory test results (that is, determine their meaning) in conjunction with information about your medical history, physical examination, and other test results, and provide you with medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Yes. This laboratory adheres to test result information disclosure laws. The laboratory report is sent to the ordering physician or other authorized person who has requested the test. Please contact your clinician for further information regarding your results.

No, only Release of Information can fax results to outside provider.

Eating or drinking can cause inaccurate results on some tests. We ask that for those tests that you refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water or prescribed medications for 10-12 hours before these tests are collected. Please drink water to maintain hydration.

A special diet, provided by your primary care manager, must be followed for three days before testing.  Fasting for a minimum of 8 hours is required prior to the test.  All 3 hour glucose tolerance tests must be started before 1000hrs.
 
No appointment is needed.  Be prepared to remain in the lab for up to 4 hours.  Please drink water to maintain hydration.
 
For your safety, you will need to remain in the area for the full duration of the test.

You will need to bring your military or dependent identification card government issued photo ID (ex. driver’s license, passport) is also acceptable.

Labs ordered from civilian providers: 

To avoid unnecessary delays written orders must include:

Bring a script with the following information:

• Patient's full name
• Patient's date of birth
• Tests being requested
• Provider's office address
• Provider's fax number/office phone number
• ALL scripts MUST be signed by the provider

Lab results will be transmitted via fax number to the ordering or requesting provider. Questions regarding ordered tests must be directed to your requesting provider.

The DoD requires a separation history and physical examination to capture the complete medical history of Service Members and evaluate members filing a disability claim.

Results are accessible by both the DoD and VA so even if you’re not filing a VA claim now, the results are available if you decide to file a disability claim later.

You can schedule the exam at any military hospital or clinic or VA facility.

You can view your health record on the TOL Patient Portal through the Blue Button feature. If something’s missing, contact the provider that conducted the exam or ordered the lab work to ensure it gets added. All your health records are shared with the VA.

You can file a VA disability claim through eBenefits in person with a Veterans Service Organization, or with a VA representative at a military installation. Submit a copy of your Service Treatment Record (STR) from your current period of military service and any copies of private treatment records not associated with TRICARE referrals.

For more information on VA disability benefits, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit the VA’s website.