NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday issued a warning to a New York City COVID-19 testing chain for failing to meet promised turnaround times for results.
The warning was issued to ClearMD Health, a private lab that operates several testing locations in Manhattan and one in Queens, after numerous customers passed the timeframe in which they were promised results – even those who paid for expedited testing.
ClearMD’s website guarantees “PCR results in as quick as 12-24 hours” and claims they can provide “COVID testing quick enough to keep up with the busiest of New Yorkers,” according to the AG’s office. However, multiple complaints made to James showed that is not that case.
In her warning letter, James reminded the company that New York prohibits false advertising and instructed the company to refund customers who paid for expedited test results and did not receive them.
She is also telling the company to update its website and signage at testing sites to accurately reflect how long individuals should wait before receiving their COVID-19 test results.
“What we’re seeing more and more are private labs and collection centers making false promises about turnaround times for COVID-19 test results when there is no way for them to keep up with the demand. What’s worse is that a number of these companies are charging New Yorkers for a ‘quick’ test result that is anything but that,” said Attorney General James.
According to her office, ClearMD offers free or low cost COVID-19 tests for those with insurance, as well as for CARES Act patients, but charges high fees for premium services, such as $498 for a COVID-19 test with a two-hour result time.
The ClearMD website promises consumers the “fastest turnaround time in New York – less than 24 hours” but does not mention the hefty fees, James’ office said.
“ClearMD Solutions has been charging New Yorkers hundreds of dollars for expedited test results but has repeatedly failed to deliver on that promise,” James said. “With COVID-19 positivity rates skyrocketing due to omicron and New Yorkers gathering with loved ones for the holidays, companies need to stay true to their word and provide COVID-19 test results in the timeframes they are promising.”
AG James is also requesting that ClearMD contact all of its current customers who are awaiting COVID-19 test results and tell them when they can realistically expect to receive those results.
James sent similar warnings last week to LabQ, Labworq and Sameday Health.
Any consumer who believes a lab or other testing facility is making misleading statements about their turnaround time should file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.
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