PHILADELPHIA — Coronavirus testing providers lose the ability to be reimbursed for tests given to uninsured people on Wednesday, the first major casualty inflicted by Congress' refusal to authorize new federal COVID-19 funding.
Testing is key in monitoring community spread, detecting outbreaks, getting people treatment, and preventing them from giving the virus to others. Some providers in the Philadelphia region said Tuesday that they remained committed to offering free testing to all and were assessing how they could cover the costs.
"We just can't stomach the thought of turning someone away that's coming for testing," said Azmat Husain, chief medical officer for Personic Healthcare, which operates four local sites, including one at St. Christopher's Hospital in North Philadelphia, where about 20% of patients are uninsured or undocumented.
