Many insurers have stopped waiving COVID treatment costs

Ever since the start of the pandemic, people everywhere have chipped in to help those most affected.

Insurers, for one, have been doing their part.

In 2020, many health insurance companies voluntarily waived all deductibles, copayments, and other costs for insured patients who needed COVID treatment. In fact, a study reveals that roughly 88% of insured people had a policy that waived such charges at some point during the pandemic. 

Dropping these costs helped make COVID care more affordable for many patients, especially for patients who had to stay in the hospital for treatment. 

Unfortunately, this perk is coming to an end. Many insurers began ending waivers for COVID treatment on many of their policies at the end of 2020. NBC News reports both Anthem and UnitedHealth have already rolled back waivers.

However, some companies still offer waivers. Premera Blue Cross, for example, is still dropping cost shares for COVID-related testing and treatment as of April 20.

If you need COVID treatment, be sure to check with your insurance company to find out if they’re waiving any fees. 

Otherwise, rest assured that COVID vaccines and tests are still free, even for the uninsured. That’s because federal law requires these to be made available to anyone in the U.S. at no cost.

To find a COVID testing site, check here.

Need the vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers information on vaccine availability here.