He found that large facilities across the country charge between $ 20 and $ 850 for each test, not including the cost of the provider visit, the installation fee, or other services.
These rates do not reflect the rates that hospitals negotiate with insurers for in-network care.
While federal law now requires insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid to cover testing at no cost to patients and provide funds to cover the costs of testing for the uninsured, limits to federal requirements mean that some patients may still receive bills, Kaiser said.
The typical list price for the test was $ 127, and about half of hospitals charge between $ 100 and $ 199. Almost one in five values their tests at more than $ 200.
Some hospitals offer a discounted rate for self-pay patients, ranging from $ 36 to $ 180. Other hospitals say that the uninsured or self-pay may receive free or discounted care. through financial assistance programs.
Some insurers and hospitals may also negotiate a price for tests performed out-of-network.
Medicare reimburses providers $ 51 or $ 100 per test, depending on type. There are no cost shares for affiliates.
Although the two coronavirus relief bills passed by Congress in March sought to eliminate cost-sharing for those seeking evidence, some patients may still receive bills, Kaiser found. They include some people who sought care but were not actually tested, some who were evaluated in out-of-network facilities, and others who have health insurance plans that do not meet the requirements of the Health Care Act. Low Price, such as short-term policies.
The analysis sought to examine publicly published prices at the two largest hospitals in each state and the District of Columbia. Federal law requires hospitals to make this information available on their websites, but prices could only be found for 78 of the 102 hospitals reviewed. Prices reflect charges for out-of-network services as data on negotiated rates for in-network care is not available.
More than 695,000 daily Covid-19 test results were confirmed, on average, in early July, Kaiser said.
“In light of the continued spread of COVID-19 in states across the country, many labs are now receiving more test orders than they can process in a single day,” said Julie Khani, president of the association, at a statement. “We urge ordering providers to prioritize testing for those who need it most, especially hospitalized and symptomatic patients.”
On Monday, Quest Diagnostics said some of its tests took seven days to change due to the lawsuit.
Without rapid tests, people cannot know if they have the virus and take steps to prevent its spread. Rapid testing is essential for contact tracking, the method that public health experts say is key to controlling the spread of the pandemic.
CNN Health’s Maggie Fox contributed to this report.
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