COVID-19 Updates

In accordance with public health guidance, we’ve made some important changes to our clinic operations to keep you and our staff safe. UT Health Austin is following the most up-to-date CDC screening guidelines for Coronavirus detection. These guidelines are subject to change and we will update this page as needed. Click here to learn what other measures we are taking to protect our patients and staff.

For in-person appointments, we are doing everything possible to keep you safe while delivering the care you urgently need. If you have an appointment at the clinic, patients are required to use a face covering or mask to enter the building. The mask or face covering should cover your nose and mouth completely. If you do not have a mask, you will be given one before entering the clinic. We are also screening at the entrance with a thermal scanner and series of questions. Most importantly, we ask that you call first if you have a fever, cough or trouble breathing before you come into a clinic. For those who have mild symptoms, it is best to use our home care instructions.

COVID-19 Testing

UT Health Austin COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing is offered through our drive-thru testing clinic and WorkLife clinic (by appointment only). Please call 1-833-UT-CARES for scheduling information.

Antibody Testing

Antibody testing is limited to new and established UT Health Austin patients. Patients may call 1-833-UT-CARES (833-882-2737) to schedule a telehealth appointment with WorkLife to 1) determine if testing is appropriate and 2) discuss the implications of the test results for their individual situation.

• Antibody testing is appropriate for anyone who has a high probability of yielding accurate results from the test (e.g., an individual who has not been able to maintain social distancing, consistent masking, hand washing, or exposure to persons with COVID-19)
• Someone who has had symptoms resembling COVID-19 at some point this year
• Someone who has had an exposure to someone who had COVID-19, or has traveled to a highly endemic area for COVID-19 (e.g., China, Italy, New York, Seattle, etc.) within the past 14 days
• Anyone who is actively having symptoms of COVID-19, particularly within 14 days since symptom onset, should be scheduled for PCR testing (nasal swab) rather than antibody testing

The State of Texas has designated The University of Texas at Austin (including UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of the Dell Medical School; the School of Nursing; the College of Pharmacy; the Steve Hicks School of Social Work; University Health Services; and the Office of Campus Safety) a COVID-19 Vaccination Hub to help protect the health of the greater Austin community.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine availability or if you meet the meet the requirements of priority vaccination Phase 1B and need to request a vaccination at UT Health Austin, please visit here.

Current UT Austin students, faculty, and staff who meet the requirements of priority Phase 1B:

If you are interested in requesting a vaccination through UT Health Austin, please visit protect.utexas.edu/vaccine for further instruction. You should not fill out the UT Health Austin online COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form.

For our patients who are not part of priority Phase 1B:

Population-wide vaccine availability will occur at a later date as determined by the State of Texas. We will keep you updated as we learn more about this process. To explore FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccination, click here.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a number of provisions to provide relief to the public from issues caused by the pandemic, including price transparency for COVID -19 testing. Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act requires providers of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 to post the cash price for a COVID-19 diagnostic test on their website from March 27 through the end of the public health emergency. For more information, see the FAQs.

*At UT Health Austin, the self-pay cost for COIVD-19 screening and testing is $80.00, plus an additional lab charge for Clinical Pathology Laboratories of $70.00.*

UT Health Austin is now performing elective surgeries and procedures (operations) which require an overnight stay. All surgeries will proceed pending the results of COVID-19 pre-screening.