With the number of coronavirus cases climbing throughout the country as the holidays loom, daily testing trends are expected to continue increasing. (Photo: Shutterstock)

New data from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) indicates that price gouging for COVID-19 testing is on the rise. The association’s survey of health insurance providers in the commercial market, conducted in October, found that 23% of all claims for COVID-19 testing came from out-of-network test providers — a 14% increase since July. Moreover, many out-of-network test providers charged prices that far exceeded the average cost of in-network tests.

On average, a COVID-19 test in the commercial market costs $130. But out-of-network test providers charged more than $185 for nearly half of all diagnostic tests and one-third of all antibody and antigen tests. That’s a 10% increase since July, according to AHIP. Additionally, as many as 16% of out-of-network test claims charged more than $390, which is three times the average cost.

Related: The question of who pays for COVID testing is getting more complicated

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.