COVID-19 & Masking Policy

Please keep in mind that the coronavirus is still circulating. We strongly encourage all eligible patients to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters. The booster adds significant protection against infection and severe illness. If not vaccinated at all, please consider doing so now. For details, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines.

To make an appointment and get additional information, visit C19vaccineRI.org or, call 844-930-1779.

If you are currently a Brown Medicine patient and need the COVID-19 vaccine, please call our East Providence Patient Center, Internal Medicine East Greenwich or Warwick Primary Care offices to make an appointment.

(This information is current as of 8/25/23 and is subject to change/update.)

MASKING POLICY

As of April 6, 2023, wearing a mask within our practices will be voluntary as we align our masking policy with our affiliated hospitals.

Please note the following:

  • All our patients are welcome to continue to wear a mask. If you are masked, our staff will also wear one when they are with you in the exam room.
  • We still request that you limit bringing anyone with you to those who are needed to share information.
  • If you have a fever, cough, recent COVID and/or COVID exposure or any symptoms of a respiratory infection, please notify us before your appointment. We may ask you to be evaluated by telemedicine. If asked to come to the practice, masking will be required.

This policy is based on local COVID transmission rates and may change accordingly.

We thank all our patients for making our practices safe places to be seen. If your next appointment is within two weeks and have any questions about this policy, please contact your Brown Medicine practice.

State Licensing Regulations changing for Telemedicine Care – Effective 4/15/2023 During the pandemic many rules regarding telehealth were relaxed to provide for patient safety. While insurance coverage remains for these services, the state licensure laws require clinicians to be licensed in the state where the patient is located when doing audio-video telehealth visits. Exceptions are allowed for established patients who are traveling, at school or are “snowbirds”, as the location is temporary. Our behavioral health clinicians are even more restricted. With the state of emergency coming to an end, we may no longer be able to provide audio video visits to some patients who reside outside of Rhode Island. This may apply to visits already scheduled. We remain able to address your concerns by telephone, as we did before the pandemic. We appreciate your understanding as we follow state laws. If you have questions regarding this, you may contact your Brown Medicine practice.