By Star Jameson, Hamilton
It has come to my attention through conversations with three people in the billing office that our local hospital is charging for Covid-19 testing. They are asking $79 from folks getting the initial testing, which is either charged to the patient’s insurance, or requested outright, or put into the billing system.
I have researched this practice of charging for the administration of the Covid test, and do not see it supported in any Federal legislation (i.e., CAREs Act, March 2020, and the Health Care Enhancement Act, April 2020). These bills specifically deliver additional funding for hospitals and healthcare providers to increase testing capabilities to help track the spread and impact of the virus. Jon Tester also delivered nearly $200 million to rural Montana hospitals, and health centers, for Covid assistance in May.
I was informed the hospital was “looking for grants and other resources” to pay for administering tests to uninsured people, and “they can make an application for those when we secure them.” I am not at all happy with this situation. People under the stress of exposure to Covid, or actually experiencing symptoms, need free testing. They do not need to make out applications, worry about a hospital bill accruing, or use food money to pay for a test. This is a classist policy and further victimizes folks who are under tremendous stress.
I would like the hospital to drop their policy of charging, absorb these costs and reimburse themselves with the federal (and state) funds that are provided to do exactly that. And if I had frosting on my cake, they would refund the payments already made.
If you share my viewpoint, please let the hospital know, either through telephoning the folks in billing, or writing a letter to Kelly Akkerman, Director of Patient Financial Services, or John Bishop, CEO.