New York state requires all individuals be tested for COVID before having a procedure or surgery. Hospitals must test all patients receiving outpatient elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures for COVID-19 and patients must test negative for COVID-19 using an antigen test prior to any surgery or procedure. The test will be administered upon arrival to F.F. Thompson Hospital the day of the surgery or procedure. Patients are strongly urged to do an at-home antigen test** the day prior to the surgery or procedure to avoid unnecessary prep procedures as the surgery or procedure will have to be rescheduled if the day-of test is positive for COVID-19.
Patients are also advised to do the following for the 14 days before the surgery or procedure:
* If you are having your surgery at a UR Medicine facility other than F.F. Thompson, please call your physician for more information as requirements for COVID testing may be different at other facilities. Other test sites can be found here but a signed lab order is required from your physician..
** For your convenience, here are some resources available for free at-home COVID-19 test kits (free up front and/or via reimbursement):
Federal Government: https://www.covid.gov/tests
Ontario County Public Health: 3019 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Call first for availability at (585) 396-4343
Centers for Medicare/Medicaid: https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield: https://www.chooseexcellus.com/covid19/covid-866M9-3164OX.html
MVP: http://www.mvphealthcare.com/covid
Fidelis Care: https://www.fideliscare.org/Member/Helpful-Tools/Health-Resources/Coronavirus