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As we wait for election returns, let me tell you about something you might see on your medical bill soon: a COVID fee.
It's new, it tells you a lot about the American health care system, and its not always legal. A thread (1/10)
It's new, it tells you a lot about the American health care system, and its not always legal. A thread (1/10)
Over the summer, some health care providers started charging patients a fee for the increased costs — more PPE, more staff time spent cleaning — of operating in a pandemic. (2/10)
Because the United States does not regulate health prices (which makes us different from every other developed nations) health providers got to decide the appropriate amount.
Some dentists charged $12. Others charged $45. It was up to them! (3/10)
Some dentists charged $12. Others charged $45. It was up to them! (3/10)
These fees are spreading across the health care industry. They seem to have started in dentist offices. Then they moved to assisted living. Now, they're turning up on ambulance rides (4/10)
There is a legitimately tough question here: when medicine becomes more expensive, who pays?
Unfortunately, many health providers and insurers are deciding it should be the patients. This happens *a lot* in our health system, patients bearing the brunt of rising costs. (5/10)
Unfortunately, many health providers and insurers are deciding it should be the patients. This happens *a lot* in our health system, patients bearing the brunt of rising costs. (5/10)
If we had a national health system, you might have some government agency try to settle this in an equitable way.
But we don't have that, so these fees go largely unchecked and unregulated (6/10)
But we don't have that, so these fees go largely unchecked and unregulated (6/10)
The fees can be small, but they matter. I interviewed one patient who decided not to get her teeth cleaned because of the new PPE fee.
Assisted living residents facing these charges are especially vulnerable, given they rely on the provider for long term care (7/10)
Assisted living residents facing these charges are especially vulnerable, given they rely on the provider for long term care (7/10)
So — if you see a PPE or COVID fee on your medical bill, what should you do?
Ask some questions! In many cases, these fees are illegal. If a doctor/dentist has agreed to certain rates with health insurers, they can't stack new charges on top of that (8/10)
Ask some questions! In many cases, these fees are illegal. If a doctor/dentist has agreed to certain rates with health insurers, they can't stack new charges on top of that (8/10)
You can reach out to your state attorney general. Three states have already barred providers from charging patients these fees directly. They did so after receiving complaints from residents. Public policy can often hinge on patients speaking up (9/10)
You can read more about these fees today in a new story from myself and @jbsgreenberg today.
And if you spot one on your bill, feel free to tell me about it! DMs are always open, email is [email protected] (10/x) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/upshot/covid-fee-medical-bills.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
And if you spot one on your bill, feel free to tell me about it! DMs are always open, email is [email protected] (10/x) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/upshot/covid-fee-medical-bills.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
