Some large labs that have received significant funds from the program have already changed their policies. Quest Diagnostics, which operates one of the largest networks of labs in the country, has notified clients that they can no longer expect to be reimbursed for testing uninsured patients. Those without insurance can now pay $125 through QuestDirect or $100 if they order through a physician affiliated with Quest.
Smaller companies are facing similar problems. In De Queen, Ark., pharmacist Elee Coleman is worried about how the end of the uninsured program will affect her family’s pharmacyDe Queen Health and Wellness Pharmacy, which her parents own. Coleman says their shop, which has provided some 15,000 COVID-19 shots, 1,000 COVID-19 tests, and 1,400 monoclonal antibody treatments to patients, has been a lifeline in a rural county, where many are uninsured and roughly 60% of the population is Hispanic.
In recent months, as Omicron swept across the country, the uninsured program was spending about $2 billion per month on claims, according to a HRSA spokesperson. While that could vary as the pandemic changes, experts say it’s clear the $10 billion in new funding that Congress is aiming to pass is not sufficient.
Yee warned that although COVID-19 vaccines will remain free to all patients, some uninsured people may avoid seeking COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines out of fear they will be charged. During previous surges, community health centers played a key role by encouraging these patients to seek care, he says. “We’ve pushed a lot of those visits away from emergency rooms and hospitals, when they had those surges when they were running out of ventilators and they were overwhelmed,” Yee says.
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Republicans did that
Vaccines are still free
abbyabrams Does everyone need an insurance policy?