High cost deters people from getting COVID testing, which is concerning.
High cost deters people from getting COVID testing, which is concerning.
The Rising Cost of COVID-19 Testing: A Burden on Individuals’ Wallets
Sept. 14, 2023 – For Becky Robertson of Dallas, COVID-19 testing is taking a toll on her wallet now that the federal government and her insurance are no longer covering the cost. She said she pays around $30 per test to protect herself and her family. It’s gotten so pricey, in fact, that instead of testing, when she or a family member shows symptoms, they may quarantine at home rather than shelling out more money to know for sure.
The rising cost of COVID testing has become a struggle for many individuals like Becky. Katie Camero, a recently laid-off journalist from Edison, NJ, shares similar concerns as her husband, a medical student, constantly fights a scratchy throat and other symptoms due to his exposure in the hospital. To protect those around them, both Katie and her husband frequently test themselves. However, she expresses how the escalating costs have made it financially challenging to continue being considerate.
With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, the federal government is no longer covering the cost of COVID PCR and antigen testing. While at-home antigen testing is still covered through Medicaid until 2024, Medicare only covers testing prescribed by a doctor, excluding at-home tests. Consequently, decision-making regarding coverage now lies with states, employers, or insurance companies. According to Christina Silcox, PhD, a policy fellow at the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, individuals with private insurance now face the burden of similar costs to those of flu testing.
The cost factor becomes concerning amidst a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The CDC reports a 9% increase in COVID hospitalizations for the week ending Sept. 2, with a 10% increase in deaths. However, the true extent of the surge remains uncertain due to individuals potentially opting out of testing to save money. This lack of testing may lead to infected individuals unknowingly spreading the virus, as they are less likely to take precautions.
While the data doesn’t definitively establish cost as the sole factor hindering testing, it likely plays a role. This reduced testing could mean insufficient information gathering about the virus. Rajeev Fernando, MD, an infectious disease expert and fellow at Harvard Medical School, expresses concerns about accurate data gathering. The decreased bio-surveillance worldwide, including the reporting of new variants to the World Health Organization, raises alarm bells.
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Nonetheless, the CDC has implemented the National Wastewater Surveillance System in the US, which monitors SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater. These measurements align with the increases seen in hospitals, providing some perspective on the recent surge. It’s important to contextualize the reported surge in COVID cases, asserts Fernando. The comparison is made against the all-time low levels of infections, such as in January 2022 when the US had close to 146,000 hospitalizations compared to the current approximate 6,500. Fernando highlights that the severity of illness is likely lower now due to the significant immunity levels among Americans.
Other experts express concerns about the consequences of not testing, including delayed treatment that may affect care. Effective COVID treatments like Paxlovid and metformin need to be administered within the first week of infection. Grace McComsey, MD, leading the long COVID RECOVER study at University Hospitals Health System, emphasizes that insurance companies should cover testing costs, as failure to do so may result in more ICU days.
Apart from acute infections, individuals should also consider the risk of long COVID, which poses greater threats. The CDC reports that 7.5% of Americans already experience long COVID symptoms such as intense fatigue, chronic pain, shortness of breath, and chest pain lasting three or more months after the initial infection.
Despite the added cost, the importance of testing cannot be overlooked. Those unable to afford at-home tests can still find free testing at community health centers, public health departments, libraries, or other local organizations. Planning ahead and purchasing tests before falling sick or utilizing drugstore coupons and online bulk buying can mitigate expenses. The CDC also offers a No-Cost COVID Test Locator on its website.
If testing is not possible, individuals should quarantine when experiencing symptoms. However, it’s important to note that at-home tests are not foolproof and may not immediately detect the virus. In such cases, high-quality masks play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable individuals.
In conclusion, the rising cost of COVID-19 testing poses a financial burden on individuals. This situation may lead to a decrease in testing, potentially hindering accurate data gathering and delaying necessary treatment. The long-term consequences of untreated infections and the prevalence of long COVID highlight the importance of testing. Therefore, individuals must explore affordable testing options and take proactive measures to protect themselves and others.
