If You Test or Treat Uninsured Patients for COVID-19, Make Sure You Get Paid. Here’s How

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and the Economic Security (CARES) Act, has launched a portal specifically designed to ensure healthcare providers who have tested or treated uninsured patients for COVID-19 are compensated for those services. Claims are reimbursed “generally at Medicare rates,” according to HHS. Claims related to care provided on or after February 4, 2020 can be submitted through the portal at COVIDUninsuredClaim.HRSA.gov. For general information on the COVID-19 Uninsured Program, click here. One caveat: So as to reduce the risk that insured patients will try to game the system and avoid paying a copay or out-of-network cost by claiming to be uninsured, it would be advisable to “blind” patients to the fact that this government program picks up the tab for those who are without insurance.