Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19
If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a person with known or suspected COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive a free monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment.
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Although it is not a cure, treatment may lessen the severity of symptoms and help keep high-risk patients out of the hospital.
Talk to your health care provider as soon as you test positive for COVID-19 so they can determine if monoclonal antibodies are the right treatment for you.
Where treatment is available
There are more than 80 monoclonal antibody treatment facilities in Maryland. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a facility based on availability. Search to find potential locations near you. Patients should coordinate with their respective physician or care provider before contacting a location to schedule an appointment.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, contact eVisit to schedule a virtual appointment. If it is determined you are eligible, you will be referred to an infusion site for treatment.
For those without internet access or a healthcare provider, please contact the Maryland Department of Health at 410-649-6122. You may ask to speak with a clinician, who will review your eligibility for monoclonal antibody treatment. If you are eligible, they will either schedule you for infusion treatment at one of the state sites or refer you to another site based on your location.
Are you eligible for treatment?
You may be eligible if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or were recently exposed, and are at a greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Not sure if you qualify? Please answer the questions below to find out. For the visually impaired, please call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).
1. Do you weigh more than 88 lbs and are you older than 12?
2. Do you have any of these health conditions or characteristics?
- 65 years of age or older
- Overweight (body mass index over 25)
- Pregnancy
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Weakened immune system
- Currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Cardiovascular disease/hypertension
- Chronic lung disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Medical-related technological dependence
- Any significant underlying medical condition
(at your physician’s discretion)
3. Have you received a positive COVID-19 test result in the last 7 days and are you experiencing mild to moderate symptoms?
4. Have you been exposed to COVID-19 in the past four days?
Exposure to COVID-19 includes likely exposure because of an infection in the same institutional setting (such as nursing homes or prisons).
5. Are you fully vaccinated?
6. Are you immunocompromised?
Based on your answers, you may not be eligible for mAbs.
Check with your healthcare provider to learn more about your treatment options and to confirm eligibility.
Based on your responses you may qualify for mAbs:
- If you have a doctor or health care provider, contact them as soon as possible to confirm your eligibility
- If you do not have a doctor or health care provider, call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829)
- Click here to find a treatment location for mAbs
How treatment is initiated
- You test positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days or have been exposed to a person with COVID-19.
- Eligible patients receive a referral from a healthcare provider to a convenient facility.
- The administration facility contacts the patient to schedule an appointment.
- mAb administration takes up to an hour with an observation time afterward.
While monoclonal antibody treatment is free if you meet the requirements, there may be an administration fee. Please check with your insurance provider.
