States, Insurers Move to Limit Coronavirus Testing Costs for Patients
March 05 2020 - 6:11PM
Dow Jones News
By Anna Wilde Mathews
States are moving to block insurers from charging members for
coronavirus testing, putting pressure on the industry to ease costs
that might discourage people from getting diagnosed and
treated.
As Washington on Thursday became the latest state to require
that insurers make the testing free for their customers, the
industry began taking voluntary steps.
Cigna Corp. said that in its plans nationwide, it would waive
consumers' out-of-pocket costs for lab tests to diagnose infection
from the novel virus, treating the tests like other types of
preventive care that are free to members. Though these tests are
already free when performed by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, they are expected to be offered more broadly by
commercial labs that could charge. Consumer advocates have raised
concerns that people might delay or decline testing for fear of
high costs.
Cigna said the free lab test setup will apply in its fully
insured plans, including employer and individual coverage, Medicare
Advantage and Medicaid. Self-insured employers will have the option
to offer the tests free of charge to their workers.
"We will do everything we can to help contain this virus, remove
barriers to testing and treatment, especially for seniors and
people who are chronically ill, and give peace of mind to those we
serve," said Cigna Chief Executive David M. Cordani.
The order from Washington state's insurance regulator was
broader: Insurers must cover, without copayments or other
cost-sharing for patients, a health-care provider visit and testing
for any member who meets the CDC's guidelines for testing for the
novel coronavirus.
The cost would also be paid by the plan upfront before the
patient's deductible is applied. Washington's announcement follows
similar actions in New York and Missouri. Both states' efforts
applied not just to lab tests but also to doctor and emergency-room
visits if the patient was coming in to be tested for the
coronavirus.
Write to Anna Wilde Mathews at anna.mathews@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 05, 2020 17:56 ET (22:56 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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