ST. LOUIS (KMOX) updated - KMOX News has learned a COVID-19 testing company that operates multiple sites in the St. Louis region is now under scrutiny from state and federal officials after complaints from consumers.
KMOX News has made multiple requests for information about the Center for Covid Control with state and federal agencies.
The company is offering free COVID tests at Ballpark Village in downtown, two other locations within the city of St. Louis, and has locations listed in Eureka and Chesterfield.
Director of Communications for the St. Louis Better Business Bureau, Sarah Wetzel says consumers complained they never received test results or that the information they were given didn't match up. Other people raised concerns about being asked to provide social security numbers for testing. She says the business has the worst rating the BBB gives.
KMOX received this statement from the City of St. Louis Department of Health:
"The City of St. Louis Department of Health has made state officials and the Cardinals aware of the community's concerns to determine next steps. In the meantime, we encourage St. Louis residents to visit our website for a list of COVID-19 public testing clinics established through DOH, its community partners, and the state Department of Health and Senior Services."
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reached out to us after, saying it is looking into the organization. In an email, DHSS explains: "Testing sites are not required to get approval from DHSS to set up. Our state-operated testing sites are operated by contracted vendors who have to meet strict criteria." The Center for Covid Control is not a contracted vendor with the state.
State officials are advising individuals to access testing site information from DHSS, their local public health agency or local pharmacy or health care provider. "A social security number should not be required for a COVID testing event, so being asked for this information should be considered a red flag," adds DHSS spokesperson Lisa Cox.
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Officials with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tells KMOX, the Center for Covid Control lab in Wisconsin did receive permission to operate and under certain circumstances can open remote testing sites. A CMS statement adds: "CMS has received multiple complaints from different state agencies regarding the Center for COVID Control and temporary testing sites. Each complaint will be investigated in conjunction with the ongoing case."
COVID Control has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
We visited the location at Ballpark Village last week when there was a long line of consumers waiting outside in frigid temperatures.
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