Returning to Boston Children’s: Information for Providers

While the changes brought on by COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come, one thing will never change: Our commitment to providing the highest quality care.

Primary care clinicians—often the first point of contact for patients and families concerned about their children—are the cornerstone of that commitment. From routine wellness checks and vaccinations to uncertain and potentially complex diagnoses, patients and families look to you for guidance and expertise. Your role in this pandemic and the future of pediatric healthcare delivery is essential. We value your partnership as we work together to keep children and families healthy.

While the road ahead is uncertain, we’re in this together. We look forward to continue working with you.

Referring patients to Boston Children’s during the COVID-19 pandemic

Boston Children’s continues to work closely with state and local officials to ensure the highest standard of safety for our patients, families, clinicians, and staff.

If you believe that a patient would benefit from receiving services from Boston Children’s, then you should refer that patient.

We are open and providing urgent, emergent, and medically necessary in-person care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Depending on your patient’s needs, we may schedule a virtual visit. We have found virtual visits to be a safe and effective way to provide consultations and follow-up care that do not require providers to see patients face to face. In addition, our experts remain available for requests for second opinions. Please use standard operating procedures when referring patients to Boston Children’s. If you need more information regarding referring patients, please contact us for scheduling information.

Please be aware that all visits at Boston Children’s are currently by appointment only. We cannot accept walk-in visits, even for blood draws or radiology. Please contact us for scheduling information.

Testing resources

For the latest guidance on who should get tested, and whether or not testing will be covered by your insurance, please review the latest testing guidelines from Massachusetts.

Learn more about testing

Download the testing tipsheet

Massachusetts pediatric testing sites for COVID-19

How to use this map: Search by address, town, or zip code. Red markers indicate individual testing sites. Blue numbers indicate more than one testing site in the area. Click on a testing site for the address and hours of operation. Some also provide type of test available and age range. For a list of testing sites, choose the list view.

Download a list of testing sites

When does a patient require COVID-19 testing?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recommends testing for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and any individual who has had close contact a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Back-to-school resources

Questions over whether or not children can safely attend day camps or return to school in the fall remain controversial. The following resources may help you provide guidance for your patients and families as school districts roll out their plans for the school year.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

In its Initial Fall Reopening Guidelines the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) set forth a plan to safely reopen schools for as many students as possible. The DESE cites the need to balance the public health risks of COVID-19 with the emotional and social risks of keeping students out of school. DESE guidelines emphasize the ideal goal of in-person learning, and underscore the importance of access to in-person schooling to improve equity and anti-racism education.

• Additional COVID-19 information and resources from the Massachusetts DESE.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC’s Considerations for Schools offer the most comprehensive and detailed considerations for K-12 schools. These guidelines emphasize “what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs of each community.” The CDC considerations include detailed recommendations for creating safe school environments through the use of face coverings, extensive hand hygiene, physical distancing, and other measures.

American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics also places a strong emphasis on returning to in-person education in its COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry. The AAP guidelines discuss the importance of attending to students’ nutritional and mental health needs, maintaining onsite school-based health services if available, and maintaining a balanced curriculum with continued physical education and other learning experiences.