A Hospital Forgot to Bill Her Coronavirus Test. It Cost Her $1,980.

[Celerity]

Send us your medical bills. We’ll use them to investigate hospital and doctor billing practices.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/upshot/nj-coronavirus-medical-bill.html


Debbie Krebs felt sick in March and went for a coronavirus test. She tested negative, but then the test was omitted from her medical bill, resulting in a major price difference.

When Debbie Krebs got the bill for a March emergency room visit, she immediately noticed something was missing: her coronavirus test. Ms. Krebs, a lawyer who focuses on insurance issues, had gone to the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J., with lung pain and a cough. A doctor ran tests and scans to rule out other diseases before swabbing her nose. A week later, the medical laboratory called, telling her it was negative.

Ms. Krebs had a clear memory of the experience, particularly the doctor saying the coronavirus test would make her feel as if she had to sneeze. She wondered whether the doctor could have lied about performing the test, or if her swab could have gone missing. (But if so, why had the laboratory called her with results?)

The absence of the coronavirus test made a big price difference. Congress, Ms. Krebs had heard, barred insurers from charging patients for visits meant to diagnosis coronavirus. Without the test, Ms. Krebs didn’t qualify for that protection and owed $1,980. She called the hospital to explain the situation but immediately ran into roadblocks. “When I called the hospital, they said, ‘You did not get a coronavirus test,’” she said. “I told them I absolutely did.”

Across the country, Americans like Ms. Krebs are receiving surprise bills for care connected with coronavirus. Tests can cost between $199 and $6,408 at the same location. A coming wave of treatment bills could be hundreds of multiples higher, especially for those who receive intensive care or have symptoms that linger for months. Services that patients expect to be covered often aren’t.

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[Moostache]

1. For profit healthcare is evil.

The only thing worse (IMO) is for profit prisons and justice.

We have lived in a profoundly sick society for a long time now...COVID-19 only reflects the ugliness back at us in concentrated doses.

[Bettie]

2. +1,000

WE need universal health not-for-profit care...not "insurance coverage".

[crickets]

7. Could not agree more. nt

[WhiteTara]

3. If she didn't get the test,

how could they bill her for it?

[Celerity]

5. she had the test, the hospital is trying to scam her

Ms. Krebs had a clear memory of the experience, particularly the doctor saying the coronavirus test would make her feel as if she had to sneeze. She wondered whether the doctor could have lied about performing the test, or if her swab could have gone missing. (But if so, why had the laboratory called her with results?)

The absence of the coronavirus test made a big price difference. Congress, Ms. Krebs had heard, barred insurers from charging patients for visits meant to diagnosis coronavirus. Without the test, Ms. Krebs didn’t qualify for that protection and owed $1,980. She called the hospital to explain the situation but immediately ran into roadblocks.

“When I called the hospital, they said, ‘You did not get a coronavirus test,’” she said. “I told them I absolutely did.”

[CrispyQ]

4. $6,408!!!

[Celerity]

6. US for profit healthcare is a giant wealth transfer scheme and scam

The emergency room charged Mr. Harvey $199 in cash. Ms. LeBlanc, who paid with insurance, was charged $6,408.