Month: January 2022

SMU is offering two additional resources for employees, their spouses and dependents who are seeking COVID-19 testing – a no-cost on-site testing option and insurance coverage for at-home test kits.

New on-campus testing option

Beginning today (January 20, 2022) on-site testing for COVID-19 will be available at no cost for SMU employees and spouses and their dependents at an east campus location. MyLabsDirect is providing PCR testing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday at a drive-up parking site at Expressway Towers on 6116 North Central Expressway. MyLabsDirect also offers drive-up testing at several sites in the DFW area with no appointment required.

More details are available by visiting smu.edu/employeecovidtest under the “MyLabsDirect” tab.

At-home tests ­– BCBSTX coverage and reimbursements

SMU’s health benefits provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), is providing coverage for at-home COVID-19 tests, as required by the federal government.Here is what you need to know to get your test for free:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) diagnostic tests must be FDA-authorized.
• Costs are covered up to $12 per test purchased from an in-network pharmacy or through a direct-to-consumer shipping program.
• Up to eight (8) tests are allowed per covered member, every 30 days.
• No prescription or health assessment from a provider is required.

Visit smu.edu/employeecovidtest under the “at-home tests ­­– BCBSTX” tab for more information and the shipping/reimbursement form.

These testing options are in addition to the Urgent Care for Children and Families services already available to SMU employees and their families. Remember, if you test positive (including using an at-home kit), please report the results to your supervisor and complete the SMU Health Reporting Form.

Welcome back and Happy New Year,

As SMU carefully monitors the surge in COVID-19 cases, the University will continue to guide individuals who contract the virus via its case management protocols. It has become evident that many local governments have adjusted their contact tracing efforts and are no longer actively identifying close contacts. In line with this shift, SMU case managers will now focus efforts on providing guidance to those who test positive under the new shortened isolation and quarantine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is very important that if you areexperiencing symptoms to please stay home and get tested to determine if you have COVID-19, and be sure to report it if you test positive.

• Students can contact the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center at 214-768-2141 for a COVID-19 test. If you are tested off-campus and receive positive results, please fill out a CCC form.
• Faculty and staffcan get a no-cost rapid COVID-19 test through virtualcarefamilies.com/smu or at a local pharmacy/health provider, If you test positive (including using an at-home kit), please report the results to your supervisor and complete the SMU Health Reporting Form.

Faculty will continue to be notified of positive cases in their classes.  

As expected, the Mustang Strong dashboard is currently showing an increase in cases in the campus community. The dashboard is resuming daily updates (Monday – Friday) of campus cases through at least the end of January at which point, we will evaluate the frequency of updates.

The Dr. Bob Smith Health Center continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week. You can schedule your vaccination appointment through the SMU Health portal.

Check the website and your email frequently for the latest information and updates to stay Mustang Strong in this new year.