This article is part of our series on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Make sure to also check out our guides to student loan relief, direct payments, and the Paycheck Protection Program.
With positive cases of COVID-19 approaching 600,000 in the United States, the costs of the pandemic are mounting. Analysts have discussed the consequences for our economy, but treatment for the illness will cost you personally, too. Staying healthy should be your first priority, so we’ll break down the numbers.
It might start as a low-grade fever, or a dry cough that just won’t go away. Others have reported losing their senses of taste and smell. Whatever the symptoms, if you think you may have contracted COVID-19, getting tested is essential to avoid spread of the virus.
Coronavirus testing in the U.S. started off slow, but has since expanded greatly. Last month, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which made testing and all testing-related services free— regardless of your health insurance plan. In addition, most major health insurers agreed to waive co-pays and other out of pocket costs for coronavirus tests.
Individuals without insurance should also be able to get tested for free. The same law created a program that reimburses medical providers for testing uninsured patients, and also allows states to cover uninsured residents’ testing for free through Medicaid.
Despite these mandates, you still might end up with some charges. The law does not prohibit insurers from charging patients that get tested at out-of-network providers. You may also be billed if your visit to the doctor doesn’t result in a COVID-19 test, or if you’re treated in any way. If you’re getting tested, it’s a good idea to contact your insurer beforehand to figure out how you can avoid any unexpected charges.
A positive COVID-19 diagnosis won’t necessarily mean high costs related to treatment. According to estimates, around 80% of those infected have only mild or moderate symptoms. If you don’t require hospitalization, the CDC recommends taking care of yourself from home. In this case, you may only have to pay for cough and fever medicine. You’ll also want to buy a mask if you don’t already have one.
Make sure to isolate yourself from family members and housemates as much as possible, and follow all other health guidelines until you’re sure that you are no longer contagious.
Unfortunately, those who get seriously ill may face huge costs regardless of their insurance plan. The Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation released a report analyzing the total cost of treatment for an inpatient hospital admission for pneumonia. Patients without any complications face an average bill of $9,763, while those with major complications owe $20,292. Hospital stays become longer and more expensive when ventilator support is needed.
For individuals with health insurance, the majority of this amount would be covered. But across people with employer-sponsored plans, out-of-pocket costs still average more than $1,300. People with private coverage bought on the individual market face even higher deductibles. The Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation report estimates that 18% of patients who are admitted to an in-network hospital for pneumonia with complications face additional “surprise” charges. If you’re hospitalized, the exact amount you owe will be largely a function of your specific plan design.
Patients on Medicare may have to pay the same out-of-pocket costs as those on other plans, while Medicaid usually has no costs. If you lose your job, and your health insurance with it, you should qualify for a special enrollment period to sign up for an Affordable Care Act plan or can pay to keep your employer plan temporarily through COBRA.
If you’re uninsured, like 27 million other Americans, your bill for a coronavirus-related hospital stay may run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Experts believe that positive COVID-19 cases are just beginning to peak, meaning that many more people will get sick and require treatment. Despite making testing free, Congress has yet to address the problem of treatment costs.
Our country’s healthcare system is highly fragmented, so costs vary greatly from one individual to the next. Many Americans struggle to afford medical care under normal conditions because of large deductibles, restrictive networks, and a complicated insurance bureaucracy. Studies have shown that due to high costs, many people avoid seeking the treatment they need. During a pandemic, this could have massive consequences for public health. In response, some states are taking action to help consumers: you can track these changes here.
In addition to costs related to treatment, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may face lost wages or unemployment. Even those personally unaffected by the virus are experiencing big financial costs. Debtly is committed to keeping you informed during the crisis. For more information, check out our website and our blog.