Key TakeawaysThe Uninsured Program is set to expire without additional funding, which means uninsured patients may have to pay high costs for COVID-19 treatment or skip care.Other COVID-19 provisions such as Medicaid emergency authorities will also come to an end if the national emergency declaration is lifted sometime this year.For uninsured people worried about finances, here are some places to look for affordable COVID-19 care.

Key Takeaways

The Uninsured Program is set to expire without additional funding, which means uninsured patients may have to pay high costs for COVID-19 treatment or skip care.Other COVID-19 provisions such as Medicaid emergency authorities will also come to an end if the national emergency declaration is lifted sometime this year.For uninsured people worried about finances, here are some places to look for affordable COVID-19 care.

As the White House runs out of COVID-19 funds, uninsured Americans may be among those paying for the consequences.

The federal Uninsured Program willstop accepting reimbursement claimsfrom hospitals and clinics providing COVID-19 tests and treatments to patients who are uninsured. This means health services providers have to front these costs themselves or turn away patients in need.

The deadline to submit claims forreimbursement for testing and caring for uninsured patients is on April 5, if Congress doesn’t approve more funding.

“Running out of money, in particular support for these uninsured programs, will have a very direct impact on the uninsured patients ability to access COVID-19 testing and treatment,” saidLoren Adler, associate director of the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy.

He added that the Uninsured Program has served people who were among the hardest to reach and its absence might create barriers to care.

Healthcare providers across the country have releaseda joint statementcalling on Congress to act quickly and approve necessary funds.

Some states have used Medicaid emergency authorities to cover COVID-19 testing and testing-related services for uninsured individuals, according toKaiser Family Foundation (KFF). But only a third of the states have adopted this policy and some have already removed the coverage.

While those without health insurance may be the first to scramble for free testing and treatment, others may not be far behind.

Medicaid emergency authorities and other provisions for COVID-19 response will disappear after the national emergency declaration ends. While President Joe Biden extended the declaration beyond March 1,officials have hinted at an expiration date sometime this summer, Adler said.

Many health experts have voiced opposition to withdrawing COVID-19 funding.Larry Levitt from KFF told AP News that there will be more COVID-19 cases and greater inequity if uninsured people are hesitant to seek treatment because of the cost.

Where to Get Tested or Treated If You’re Uninsured

Severalcommunity resources, including pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, offer low-cost or free COVID-19 testing. Somestate health departmentsmay also be working withclinics or health centersto offer similar services. You can still order freeat-home tests from the federal government.

Until April 5, you can still check out the Uninsured Program, which offers a database of enrolled providers with reimbursements for COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines.

If you’re using a provider who is not enrolled in the program, or whose reimbursements have expired, it doesn’t hurt to ask about financial options. Some providershave told local mediathat they plan to continue to offer as many services for free as they can. Others have at least beentransparent about how much patients can expect to payfor a test or other care.

Some providers may also be able to offer resources and support like payment arrangements or they’d be open to cost negotiations. But that’s not guaranteed. Without federal funding, it’s unclear how much providers will be able or willing to offer.

Asking for Employer SupportIt’s worth asking your employer if there’s anyemployee assistanceavailable, especially if your company requires routine testing.

Asking for Employer Support

It’s worth asking your employer if there’s anyemployee assistanceavailable, especially if your company requires routine testing.

How to Self Advocate

Uninsured patients looking to self advocate for free or cheaper care might want to familiarize themselves with some of these terms and resources.

How to Look for Affordable Treatment Options

If you’re struggling to afford COVID-19 treatment, some options exist.

For starters, a few databases are trying to track thecost of treatment in each state, as well asaverage cost of hospitalization.

You may also look into volunteering for a clinical trial. Treatment through a trial isn’t always available, but some studies arerecruiting patientsat every stage of the illness.

What This Means For YouYou might have to pay for COVID-19 tests or treatment out-of-pocket soon if Congress doesn’t approve more funding for pandemic response. If you’re uninsured, check out healthcare.gov to see if you can enroll in a subsidized or free insurance plan.

What This Means For You

You might have to pay for COVID-19 tests or treatment out-of-pocket soon if Congress doesn’t approve more funding for pandemic response. If you’re uninsured, check out healthcare.gov to see if you can enroll in a subsidized or free insurance plan.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

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