If you are like California patient Patricia Mason, you might be getting a bigger bill than you anticipated. Ms. Mason racked up a $1.3 Million bill after a COVID-19 hospitalization, with her portion totaling $42,184.20.
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Many patients who experienced long COVID-19 stays were issued waivers by their insurers, waiving costs for COVID-19 care.
Unfortunately for Ms. Mason, she was in the hospital for nearly one month and her employer-funded Blue Shield of California plan did not issue such waivers.
Approximately 61% of patients who get their insurance through their job are not subject to out-of-pocket limits.
The average cost of care for COVID-19 patients without insurance or with out-of-network care can vary depending on the patient’s age. The average costs by age range are as follows:
- $68,261 for patients under 20 years old;
- $51,389 for patients between 21 and 40 years old;
- $78,569 for patients between 41 and 60 years old; and
- $77,323 for patients over 60 years.
Steep bills could lead patients to avoid further medical care.
Commercial payers are bearing the majority of high COVID-19 hospital costs. Federal and state Medicaid payments are expected to range from $440 Million to $780 Million. These costs could lead to increases in future healthcare costs.
If you are aware of any of your patients having high medical bills from a lengthy COVID-19 stay and are worried about their care, you may want to reach out to them.
Have you been able to alleviate any financial burdens of your patients? If so, let us know in the comments below.
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