COVID Testing for Philadelphia Center City Restaurant Workers

Overview
Through a grant provided by the William Penn Foundation, PRLA has partnered with Jefferson Health and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia to provide timely access to COVID-19 testing for Center City Philadelphia restaurants and their employees, with all costs reimbursed. 

The impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry has been devastating. Restaurants comprise a large percentage of Philadelphia's small business community, and therefore are one of the City's largest employers which include large populations of immigrants and non-documented employees. To assist in the City's recovery, restaurants need to return to the business of feeding their communities. The impact of potential COVID-19 exposures is disruptive and could cause the smallest, most vulnerable businesses to close. 

Many restaurants employees do not have a primary care physician and therefore cannot quickly get tested upon suspected exposure to COVID-19, further delaying a restaurant's ability to reopen. This program allows Center City restaurants to offer timely access to COVID-19 testing to their employees, with all costs reimbursed.

How the Program Works
An eligible restaurant applies for the program to have COVID-19 testing costs for their employees reimbursed. Employees who have a suspected exposure to COVID-19 can then be immediately evaluated by a physician using JeffConnect, the Jefferson Health telemedicine app, and promptly scheduled for a test near them at one of Jefferson's area facilities. While testing costs are covered by the CARES Act, this program covers the JeffConnect visit, which is typically $59.

Test Locations
After being seen by JeffConnect, patients will call a central number to schedule a COVID-19 test at any of Jefferson's facilities in the Greater Philadelphia area. Locations include: Center City, Methodist, Navy Yard, Abington, St. Raymond—Pentafort, Richard Allen Prep—S. Philly, Bensalem, PHL Airport (for restaurants  located at the airport & asymptomatic employees only), Washington Township, NJ, and Cherry Hill, NJ. 

Restaurant Eligibility
Restaurants located in the Center City Philadelphia business district are eligible for the program. Restaurants register for the program with PRLA. Once approved, let employees know that access to care is available.

Sign up Instructions

RESTAURANT

1. Apply to be a participating business using this registration form. You will be asked to provide banking information for direct reimbursements.
2. Implement the program in your business by letting employees know that access to care is available if they show COVID-19 symptoms or have had a suspected exposure. Employees will have to pay $59 via credit card at the time of their teledoc appointment. You will be responsible for collecting receipts from your employees and submitting them to PRLA. 
3. Once per week, submit employee receipts for reimbursement via this reimbursement form. You will be reimbursed within 3-5 business days. You are responsible for ensuring your employees are reimbursed for their teledoc appointments. 

EMPLOYEE

1. Register for JeffConnect by downloading the mobile app or visit www.JeffConnect.org and create an account. 
2. Request a virtual visit. Follow the prompts to payment via credit card and you will be seen by a physician, typically within 5 minutes. You will be charged $59 at this time—be sure to forward this receipt to your employer for reimbursement. 
3. Schedule a COVID-19 test near you. After being seen by JeffConnect, you call a central number to can schedule a PCR test at any of Jefferson's facilities in Greater Philadelphia. Show up at the scheduled time with ID and be tested. Testing locations: Center City, Methodist, Navy Yard, Frankford, Mt. Airy, Bensalem, Lansdale, and Cherry Hill. 
4. Sign up for Jefferson MyChart to receive your results. Visit My.JeffersonHealth.org to create a Jefferson MyChart account and you will be notified as soon as test results become available. 
5. Receive reimbursement from your employer. Your employer will be reimbursed for the cost of your teledoc appointment within 3-5 business days. They are responsible for reimbursing you directly. If you have any questions or concerns, please call PRLA at (800) 345-5353. 

Program Links

Overview Flyer

Employer Registration Form

Employer Reimbursement Form