Re:COVID-19 Tests Don’t Cost Over $3,000
by PragmaticPulp on Thursday March 05, 2020 @08:40AM
(#22493398)
The amount of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 and healthcare is staggering. Some practical advice:
1. Call your family doctor or a local doctor first. The emergency room at the hospital is only necessary if you have immediately life threatening symptoms. If you go to the emergency room, you will receive and be charged for emergency care. This is expensive because it's for emergencies. Call your doctor first!
2. Local doctor's offices have protocols for COVID-19 testing already. This might involve some combination of staying in your car until a practitioner comes to escort you, keeping your hands folded across your chest so you don't touch anything, wearing a mask to minimize the spread from coughing, and going in a separate entrance, and staying in a reserved back room that will be carefully disinfected after you leave. Again, do not go to an emergency room and sit in the waiting room just to be tested.
3. The COVID-19 test itself is being paid for by government funds, as stated in the article. However, you will still be billed for medical services rendered such as the administration of the test. This is one reason why a local doctor is much cheaper than going to a busy emergency room.
4. Do not assume that you're positive for COVID-19 before working with a professional to understand the risk factors and diagnostic criteria. They will likely screen you over the phone to reduce the rate of false positives.
5. If you are concerned about the cost, please ask your doctor what your options are. This is not an uncommon situation and in many cases there are low-cost or free options available.
1. Call your family doctor or a local doctor first. The emergency room at the hospital is only necessary if you have immediately life threatening symptoms. If you go to the emergency room, you will receive and be charged for emergency care. This is expensive because it's for emergencies. Call your doctor first!
2. Local doctor's offices have protocols for COVID-19 testing already. This might involve some combination of staying in your car until a practitioner comes to escort you, keeping your hands folded across your chest so you don't touch anything, wearing a mask to minimize the spread from coughing, and going in a separate entrance, and staying in a reserved back room that will be carefully disinfected after you leave. Again, do not go to an emergency room and sit in the waiting room just to be tested.
3. The COVID-19 test itself is being paid for by government funds, as stated in the article. However, you will still be billed for medical services rendered such as the administration of the test. This is one reason why a local doctor is much cheaper than going to a busy emergency room.
4. Do not assume that you're positive for COVID-19 before working with a professional to understand the risk factors and diagnostic criteria. They will likely screen you over the phone to reduce the rate of false positives.
5. If you are concerned about the cost, please ask your doctor what your options are. This is not an uncommon situation and in many cases there are low-cost or free options available.