What is the COVID Recovery Program?
The COVID Recovery Program is a unique collaboration among medical specialists across all MedStar Health hospitals focused on helping you to fully recover from COVID-19. Our program has received both national and international attention for its achievements and is one of the only post-covid clinics in our region currently accepting new patients. Our team aims to support patients recovering from COVID-19 with persistent symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Persistent shortness of breath
- Thinking, focus, and memory issues
- Weakness
We will support your recovery by offering a wide range of services from a team of medical specialists that will help you return to your normal activities as soon as possible. Our team is led by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians and advanced practice providers who specialize in the rehabilitation of patients with a variety of physical impairments. Our team will perform a detailed evaluation and provide necessary referrals to specialists who can further address your symptoms. A patient navigator and community health advocate will assist you with scheduling and managing your plan of care. Visits may be via telemedicine or onsite at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital or MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
Please be advised that our program functions as an outpatient clinic and does not provide access to an after-hours or on call provider. It should not be a substitute to your established relationship with your primary care provider. Any urgent or quickly escalating symptoms should be addressed via urgent care, your primary care provider, or a visit to the emergency department. Communications set to your provider via the patient portal will be addressed during regular clinic hours Monday through Friday.
Who is appropriate for the COVID Recovery Program?
- Patients interested in this program should be at least 6 weeks from the start of COVID symptoms and should have documentation of at least one positive COVID-19 test. Your doctor can also state that your symptoms indicated COVID without a positive test.
- If you do not have a documented positive test a referral from a provider will be necessary to enter the program.
- Patient must currently reside and be physically present in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. at the time of the video visit.
What can I expect if I want to participate?
Our goal is to provide a convenient one-stop service, bringing resources and care to you.
- After receiving your referral, a member of the team will reach out to explain the process and schedule your first visit.
- Prior to your appointment, you will be asked to complete a survey that includes registration information and details about your current symptoms. As you continue with the program you may be asked to complete additional assessments about your symptoms to see change over time.
- Your initial and ongoing visits may be via telemedicine or onsite at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital or at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
- Our team will develop a plan-of-care with you and help you coordinate visits and follow-up via our patient navigator.
- Our goal is to provide rehabilitation and recovery from COVID-19. Our care does not replace your relationship with your primary care provider.
- Additionally, we offer an 8-session COVID Recovery Group for participants that focuses on education and coping skills to manage prolonged symptoms post-Covid-19.
We understand you and your family have been through a life-changing experience with all the challenges a new virus and pandemic bring, and we are ready to help.
