$10,984 for COVID-19 antibody test. Testing materials only cost about $8. Insurer paid in full.

[CousinIT]

https://www.propublica.org/article/a-doctor-went-to-his-own-employer-for-a-covid-19-antibody-test-it-cost-10-984

A Doctor Went to His Own Employer for a COVID-19 Antibody Test. It Cost $10,984.
Physicians Premier ER charged Dr. Zachary Sussman’s insurance $10,984 for his COVID-19 antibody test even though Sussman worked for the chain and knows the testing materials only cost about $8. Even more surprising: The insurer paid in full.

When Dr. Zachary Sussman went to Physicians Premier ER in Austin for a COVID-19 antibody test, he assumed he would get a freebie because he was a doctor for the chain. Instead, the free-standing emergency room charged his insurance company an astonishing $10,984 for the visit — and got paid every penny, with no pushback.

The bill left him so dismayed he quit his job. And now, after ProPublica’s questions, the parent company of his insurer said the case is being investigated and could lead to repayment or a referral to law enforcement.

The case is the latest to show how providers have sometimes charged exorbitant prices for visits for simple and inexpensive COVID-19 tests. ProPublica recently reported how a $175 COVID-19 test resulted in charges of $2,479 at a different free-standing ER in Texas. In that situation, the health plan said the payment for the visit would be reduced and the facility said the family would not receive a bill. In Sussman’s case, the insurer paid it all. But those dollars come from people who pay insurance premiums, and health experts say high prices are a major reason why Americans pay so much for health care.

[ARPad95]

1. I donated blood at the Red Cross in August and the Covid-19 antibody test

was done as part of the blood screening process. I think Physicians Premier ER might be price gouging a bit.

[tanyev]

2. My doctor is requiring Covid tests before coming in for an appointment.

Covid tests that they administer. You then have a 3 week window after the results to make your appt. He’s also got an LED sign advertising that they’ve got Covid tests available. I wonder how much they’ll charge my insurance for the test I just got?

[ARPad95]

3. My dh had to do the nasal swab test prior to surgery this past week. Nasal swab Monday morning,

results within 24-48 hours (negative) and surgery on Thursday. Will report back what was billed to insurance for the nasal swab.

[tanyev]

4. Yep, my test was nasal swab. My issue is not that they're testing everyone,

but that they’re allowing 3 weeks to schedule an appt after getting results. Plenty of time to catch and develop full blown Covid in 3 weeks. Plus, the only thing I needed was a refill of my blood pressure meds. He’s now giving only a 6 month prescription and you have to come in to the office after that. I’ve never had scary out of control blood pressure, just consistently hovering on the high side of normal. I think I need to look for a new doctor.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. I'm not even surprised.