The New York Times recently reported that a patient and her family got tested for coronavirus at a total cost of $6,816 charged to insurance for four coronavirus tests. In looking at the itemized costs, one insurance claim showed that the patient had been tested for a dozen respiratory diseases and charged $480 for a short phone call relaying the test results. The bills came from Dr. Steven Murphy, an internist from Greenwich, Conn., who the town of Bedford, N.Y., had selected to run its testing site.
A total of 11 patients so far contend that Dr. Murphy used this public testing site and others nearby to run unnecessary and expensive tests. He did so with little oversight from town officials, who had advertised his services widely. Dr. Murphy estimates he has tested at least 60,000 patients for coronavirus. He defends his billing methods, and says he has brought an important service to the communities he serves.
The New York Times has been asking readers to submit their bills so that they can understand the costs of coronavirus testing and treatment. Their collection of more than 400 bills has revealed that some coronavirus patients face overwhelming medical debt and that, across the country, many Americans face illegal fees for their tests.
Source: New York Times