Since December of 2019, when the Chinese government reported the first cases of a novel coronavirus in the Hubei Province of China, COVID-19 has escalated into a global pandemic. While most people who contract this virus do not experience severe symptoms, and more than half of the infected population has already recovered, the virus still represents a serious public health concern. Moreover, as the world determines how best to prevent, contain, and manage the pandemic, there are separate political and socioeconomic consequences that must be considered.
Given our active interest in the intersections of health and socioeconomics, we’d like to examine the financial impact of the coronavirus on patients in the United States. We’ll walk through the latest updates, including those from President Trump’s March 12th address to the nation, and discuss the hurdles that US citizens may encounter as they work to prevent, test for, and treat COVID-19.
Ultimately, we argue that this unfortunate pandemic illuminates the importance of transparent pre-care patient engagement. When patients are aware of their treatment options they can avoid surprise medical billing for lifesaving care.
President Trump proposed various solutions to help Americans pay for emergency coronavirus testing and treatment. In his own words:
Confusion, as we know too well, often results in surprise medical billing. Particularly in emergency scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed or affected patients need to move quickly to secure care. They can’t wait for insurance companies to get back to them about coverage—nor should they. The health of our entire country depends on the accessibility of affordable and effective care.
It’s also worth noting that some patients do avoid necessary medical care for financial reasons. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 43% of patients with insurance have delayed or skipped recommended treatment because the associated costs were too high. Even if that rate falls in the time of a pandemic, the risk is still serious. Avoiding treatment for a common cold is one thing, but avoiding treatment for a potentially life-threatening virus like COVID-19 is another. However, given the uncertainties that surround billing for coronavirus testing and treatment, and the high likelihood of surprise after-the-fact billing, it’s no wonder some patients are hesitant to get the care they need. They truly might not be able to afford it.
Unfortunately, some patients are already bearing the burden of surprise COVID-19 billing. One Miami man is facing thousands in medical bills for a negative coronavirus test, and another, in Pennsylvania, is unsure about how he’ll pay for his and his daughter’s quarantine costs. As the virus continues to spread, so too will these cases of surprise after-the-fact billing.
While there is much that feels uncontrollable about this pandemic, there are concrete steps that medical practices and hospitals should be taking to mitigate the risks of surprise billing.
Effective pre-care engagement is essential not only to prevent surprise financial consequences for patients, but to contain the spread of the virus. Engaging patients prior to the moment when they need care, as always, is a thoughtful and cost-effective solution for all parties involved. It empowers patients to make informed decisions about their care and the costs thereof, increases the likelihood of payment, and therefore ensures that providers do not struggle to meet collections requirements. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important for providers to implement these money- and life-saving strategies.