Very disappointed to see this: Univ of WA Medical Center charging the uninsured $1600 for virus test

[Mrs. Overall]

Link to tweet

Michael Hobbes
@RottenInDenmark

Just went to Seattle’s UW Medical Center to ask how much patients are being charged for a coronavirus test.

$100-$500 if they have insurance.
$1,600 if they don’t.

[sakabatou]

1. Disgusting

[durablend]

2. Expect more of the same

You surely don't think hospitals are going to treat people for free, do you?

[58Sunliner]

3. If true, that is fuuuuucked up!!!

[customerserviceguy]

8. It's been that way for a long time

Preferential pricing for those with insurance, bullshit prices for those who don't. No wonder so many people are for Medicare for All.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. The folks who don't have insurance are the ones who need the test the most!

[spinbaby]

5. You can fly to South Korea for a test for less than that

And probably get faster results, too.

[Dem2]

6. I can't respond properly

I believe acts like this are criminal and should be punished appropriately.

[uppityperson]

7. Here's the latest on no co-pays from insurance commisioner

I read in another article that they are seeking funding for the uninsured also.

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/TestingforCOVID19

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has provided an overview of coronavirus and health insurance. The office also has announced that it will require insurers to waive copays and deductibles for testing for COVID-19.
The Health Care Authority is working with insurance carriers across all the populations they purchase for (Apple Health, public employees and school employees). You can contact them for more information on their efforts.
If you don’t have health insurance, contact the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (www.wahealthplanfinder.org) to find out if you qualify for free health coverage (www.hca.wa.gov) or a special enrollment for individual health insurance.

[marlakay]

9. I bet if someone called

Gates Foundation they would help them.

[MagickMuffin]

10. If they don't have the money, they won't get tested,

which will definitely make the situation worse.