COVID-19HospitalsRegulatory

COVID-19 Tests That Are Supposed To Be Free Can Ring Up Surprising Charges

April 29, 2020 / CARMEN HEREDIA RODRIGUEZ

Even before a novel virus swept around the world, Anna Davis Abel wore a mask to protect herself from getting sick.

The 25-year-old writer lives with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that makes her more susceptible to infection. Davis Abel’s doctor cleared her to travel to a literary conference in San Antonio in early March. She developed a sore throat and low-grade fever several days after arriving home in Morgantown, W.Va.

Consulting a nurse on the phone, Davis Abel was told to manage her symptoms at home. But her symptoms only worsened, so she made an appointment with her primary care doctor.

“At that point, I was, like, taking shot glasses of Sudafed,” she said.

Given the spread of the coronavirus and a chronic condition that left her vulnerable to a more serious case of COVID-19, she was concerned she had been infected. To find out, her doctor first ordered tests to evaluate whether Davis Abel’s symptoms were caused by some other respiratory disease. According to the doctor’s notes in her medical record, “we needed to rule out all other viral possibilities before being eligible for the COVID-19 test.”

READ THE REST HERE

Chris J. Stewart

Chris currently serves as President and CEO of Surgio Health. Chris has close to 20 years of healthcare management experience, with an infinity to improve healthcare delivery through the development and implementation of innovative solutions that result in improved efficiencies, reduction of unnecessary financial & clinical variation, and help achieve better patient outcomes. Previously, Chris was assistant vice president and business unit leader for HPG/HCA. He has presented at numerous healthcare forums on topics that include disruptive innovation, physician engagement, shifting reimbursement models, cost per clinical episode and the future of supply chain delivery.

Related Articles

Back to top button