Healthcare Organization Calls Some Post-Covid Test Bills an ‘Error’

A medical organization that attempted to bill some patients for expensive “telehealth” calls or other service after taking Covid-19 tests said it is rescinding the bills in many cases.

Hudson River Healthcare said in a letter that the bills were sent in error for calls that were made after people took what were described as free tests for Covid-19. The tests were conducted in June at St. Hugh’s church for the virus, not the antibody tests that were offered in July. The tests were billed as free.

Several people who began receiving surprise bills last week contacted Suffolk County Legislator William “Doc” Spencer and State Sen. Jim Gaughran about the bills. One bill, Gaughran said, was for more than $700. 

Note: This author received a $260 after a  June 12 phone call that was billed as a “telehealth” visit. No results have ever been provided.

A Hudson River Healthcare official said that the tests and follow up calls were intended to provide healthcare for the medically underserved community in Huntington Station, and added that people who did not have insurance should not have been billed. Those with Medicare or Medicaid coverage, she said, should send provide information about their coverage. 

Anyone with questions about a surprise bill should contact HRH, she said, at (800) 670-8861.

 

‘Free’ Covid-19 Tests Yielding Surprise Bills

Leave a Reply