Covid Medical Bills About to Grow


Americans will likely pay significantly more for Covid medical care during this new wave of cases – whether it’s a routine coronavirus test or a long hospital stay.

Early in the pandemic, most major health insurers voluntarily waived the costs associated with a Covid treatment. Patients did not have to pay their normal co-payments or deductions for emergency room visits or hospital stays.

Most Covid tests were also free.

The landscape has changed as the pandemic enters its second year. Federal law requires insurers to cover the test for the patient free of charge when there is a medical reason to seek medical care, such as exposure to illness or the appearance of symptoms. However, most of the tests currently sought do not meet the definition of “medical cause” and are instead for monitoring purposes.

And insurers are now treating Covid like any other illness, no longer fully covering the cost of care. Some businesses, such as Delta Air Lines, are planning to charge higher rates for insurance from unvaccinated workers, citing, in part, the high costs of hospitalization for Covid cases.

“Insurers are faced with the question of whether the cost of COVID treatment will fall on everyone or just those who choose not to get vaccinated,” said Cynthia Cox, vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation. Covering Covid treatment.

Federal guidelines that make coronavirus testing free include: exemptions for routine workplace and school testshas become more common as students return to the classroom and companies mandate regular testing for unvaccinated workers.

Some patients received test bills as high as $200 for routine screenings, as insurers were not required to afford this regular testing, according to documents submitted to a New York Times project that tracks the costs of patients’ Covid testing and treatment. If you have received an invoice, you can send Here.

However, some of the highest bills will include Covid patients who need extensive hospital care as most insurers no longer fully cover these bills. Seventy-two percent of major health plans no longer offer Covid treatment free for patients, according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. found.

This includes the Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest health plan in a state experiencing one of the nation’s worst outbreaks. On Wednesday, Florida Blue began requiring patients to pay their usual deductions and co-payments for Covid treatment. A spokesperson, Toni Woods, said the plan is now focused on promoting vaccines.

“When the Covid-19 pandemic started last year, we implemented various emergency provisions to temporarily assist our members,” he said. “Medical diagnostic tests and vaccines for Covid-19 continue to be available to members at a cost margin of $0.”

Oscar Health, which sells coverage in Florida and 14 other states, also ended free Covid treatment this week. He cited the widespread availability of the vaccine as an important reason.

“At the height of the pandemic, we began to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment in 2020, when there was little choice for those who contracted the virus,” Oscar spokesperson Jackie Khan said. “We believe the Covid vaccine is the best way to beat this pandemic, and we are committed to covering it and testing it for our members at $0.”

The new policies generally apply to all patients, including vaccinated patients; people who get sick with a breakthrough infection; and children under 12 years of age who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

Dr. “If you have a young child at school who gets Covid in the intensive care unit, that family will now face the bill, even if that patient does not have the opportunity to be vaccinated,” said Kao-Ping. Chua, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan who studies Covid care costs.

The average cost of a Covid hospitalization is around $40,000. researchers found. A long hospital stay – requiring time in the intensive care unit or transport by air ambulance – it can cost many times over. Most insured patients will not pay this bill in full; they will face whatever debts they owe through deductions and contributions.

Dr. Chua and colleagues published research This summer, it found the average cost among patients who had to pay for part of their hospitalization due to COVID was $3,800.

“There were some patients where it was $10,000 and others where it was $500,” he said. “It gives an idea of ​​how things will look now without the waivers.”

Surprise bills for routine Covid testing may be smaller but more widespread as schools and workplaces increasingly rely on regular screening to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In many workplaces, unvaccinated workers should be monitored at least weekly. Some employers, including the federal government, plan to fully cover the costs of these tests. But others, including some hotels and universities, will ask unvaccinated workers to bear some or all of the testing costs.

Rebecca Riley recently received a $200 bill from an anonymous lab. When he called to inquire about the fee, he learned that it was a Covid test fee. His son, a high school student, is regularly tested at his Los Angeles area high school.

“I wasn’t expecting to get the bill,” he said. “I feel stupid, but I heard the tests are free.”

Ms. Riley contacted her insurer regarding the fee, and the insurance company agreed to pay the insurer the full amount. But now he’s worried about future surprise test bills. “I really feel the families that can’t afford it,” he said.



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