4 ms·

Whereas in most countries on earth it costs the testee nothing directly.

by coldcode 6y ago

verroq 6y ago
The US government should be handing out those tests free.
- nrmitchi 6y ago
  The US government _especially_ should be handling out tests for free, even if other countries or places in the worth charge a nominal amount. The US though is has two main problems that make any sort of charge ridiculous: First, there is a larger-than-normal section of the population that apparently believes the entire pandemic is a "giant hoax", and _most likely_ won't get tested anyways. Any charge at all would be s further hinderence Second, and most importantly, the US medical system has lost all trust when there is any charge whatsoever (such as in the related article), but more to the point, the system has lost all trust when there is any possible way that they could actually bill you. In the US I don't care if you tell me that something is going to be $5, or $50; if there is _any cost at all_, which means that _they have some way of billing me_, I have to operate on the assumption that I will at some point get mailed a bill for X thousands of dollars.
  - the8472 6y ago
    > if there is _any cost at all_, which means that _they have some way of billing me_, I have to operate on the assumption that I will at some point get mailed a bill for X thousands of dollars. At least that particular issue could be avoided by making it a cash transaction.
- greeneggs 6y ago
  There is limited testing availability across the US. Making the tests free encourages people with spare time to get tested repeatedly, at the cost of essential workers who then have a difficult time getting tested. In Los Angeles, there are free testing sites, and it is easy to find people who get tested so they can go to a big birthday party, then get tested again after the party. Each test costing the state >$100 and probably preventing someone in more need from getting a test.
  - pessimizer 6y ago
    What part of this system makes it easier for essential workers to get tested? Limiting testing to the wealthy doesn't make it so a grocery store clerk or a bus driver gets a test any easier, it makes it harder.
- kube-system 6y ago
  The US government will pay for tests, and they also require insurers to cover it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Families_First_Coronavirus_Response_Act#Coverage_for_COVID-19_testing_and_other_health_provisions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Families_First_Coronavirus_Res... The one insurance representative quoted in the article said they would cover the cost of the test. This article is more about providers billing for things that aren't the test.
- shajznnckfke 6y ago
  I have been tested in California multiple times by different providers and never had to pay.
NicoJuicy 6y ago
That's not true, we pay 5€ in Belgium if you want do it on your own free-will. It's free if the government requires you to do so though. Fyi, phun intended because it's cheap
- pax 6y ago
  €5? Could you provide a link? there was a bit of scandal here in Romania with a picture of a €19 covid test from Germany, which made the rounds, shared even by some politicians – which later proved to be fake. Tests being €70-90
  - mping 6y ago
    I payed 40x2 for igg and igm antibody tests, on my own free will.
  - NicoJuicy 6y ago
    Random one: https://www.riziv.fgov.be/nl/covid19/Paginas/terugbetalingsvoorwaarden-opsporingstesten-coronavirus-covid19-pandemie.aspx https://www.riziv.fgov.be/nl/covid19/Paginas/terugbetalingsv... I will look up the 5€ one later, didn't saw your message before
- nrmitchi 6y ago
  Haha I totally see your point, but in the US, anything related to health-care that is 5€ is basically considered "free". I do actually agree with charge though, such as 5€. The point isn't to charge a "you're paying for the test" amount, but more of a "please don't come asking to be tested every day" amount.

Whereas in most countries on earth it costs the testee nothing directly.

verroq 6y ago

The US government should be handing out those tests free.

nrmitchi 6y ago
The US government _especially_ should be handling out tests for free, even if other countries or places in the worth charge a nominal amount. The US though is has two main problems that make any sort of charge ridiculous: First, there is a larger-than-normal section of the population that apparently believes the entire pandemic is a "giant hoax", and _most likely_ won't get tested anyways. Any charge at all would be s further hinderence Second, and most importantly, the US medical system has lost all trust when there is any charge whatsoever (such as in the related article), but more to the point, the system has lost all trust when there is any possible way that they could actually bill you. In the US I don't care if you tell me that something is going to be $5, or $50; if there is _any cost at all_, which means that _they have some way of billing me_, I have to operate on the assumption that I will at some point get mailed a bill for X thousands of dollars.
- the8472 6y ago
  > if there is _any cost at all_, which means that _they have some way of billing me_, I have to operate on the assumption that I will at some point get mailed a bill for X thousands of dollars. At least that particular issue could be avoided by making it a cash transaction.
greeneggs 6y ago
There is limited testing availability across the US. Making the tests free encourages people with spare time to get tested repeatedly, at the cost of essential workers who then have a difficult time getting tested. In Los Angeles, there are free testing sites, and it is easy to find people who get tested so they can go to a big birthday party, then get tested again after the party. Each test costing the state >$100 and probably preventing someone in more need from getting a test.
- pessimizer 6y ago
  What part of this system makes it easier for essential workers to get tested? Limiting testing to the wealthy doesn't make it so a grocery store clerk or a bus driver gets a test any easier, it makes it harder.
kube-system 6y ago
The US government will pay for tests, and they also require insurers to cover it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Families_First_Coronavirus_Response_Act#Coverage_for_COVID-19_testing_and_other_health_provisions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Families_First_Coronavirus_Res... The one insurance representative quoted in the article said they would cover the cost of the test. This article is more about providers billing for things that aren't the test.
shajznnckfke 6y ago
I have been tested in California multiple times by different providers and never had to pay.

NicoJuicy 6y ago

That's not true, we pay 5€ in Belgium if you want do it on your own free-will. It's free if the government requires you to do so though. Fyi, phun intended because it's cheap

pax 6y ago
€5? Could you provide a link? there was a bit of scandal here in Romania with a picture of a €19 covid test from Germany, which made the rounds, shared even by some politicians – which later proved to be fake. Tests being €70-90
- mping 6y ago
  I payed 40x2 for igg and igm antibody tests, on my own free will.
- NicoJuicy 6y ago
  Random one: https://www.riziv.fgov.be/nl/covid19/Paginas/terugbetalingsvoorwaarden-opsporingstesten-coronavirus-covid19-pandemie.aspx https://www.riziv.fgov.be/nl/covid19/Paginas/terugbetalingsv... I will look up the 5€ one later, didn't saw your message before
nrmitchi 6y ago
Haha I totally see your point, but in the US, anything related to health-care that is 5€ is basically considered "free". I do actually agree with charge though, such as 5€. The point isn't to charge a "you're paying for the test" amount, but more of a "please don't come asking to be tested every day" amount.