CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The University of Chicago Medicine said a big donation from a non-profit will help increase the level of coronavirus testing on the South Side.
The University of Chicago Medicine said it has received a $500,000 donation from United Health Foundation, a non-profit organization, to support expanded COVID-19 testing for underserved communities.
The University of Chicago said the money will allow UChicago Medicine and the South Side Healthcare Collaborative community health partners to expand testing to up to 1,000 residents a day on the South Side of Chicago, one of the hardest hit areas in the city. The University of Chicago did not say how many tests it is currently doing.
Close to 12,000 people a day are being tested for the coronavirus in Illinois.
"Rigorous testing remains an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19, yet some communities continue to face barriers to accessing testing and other health care needs," said Dr. Ana Fuentevilla, chief medical officer, Population Health Solutions at Optum, a UnitedHealth Group company, in a statement. "By partnering with a renowned health care organization like the UChicago Medicine and its South Side Healthcare Collaborative, we are working to address health care equity and ensure access to care for underserved communities in the city of Chicago."
Patients' insurance plans will be billed for the cost of the test, and the health system will waive co-pays so there is no out-of-pocket cost to patients. People without insurance also will not face any financial obligations for the test.
The University of Chicago Medicine points out that five zip codes in its service area have among the highest confirmed numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Chicago - the zip codes include 60617, 60619, 60620, 60628 and 60643. The South Side of Chicago suffers some of the worst economic, health, social and violence disparities in the United States, UChicago Medicine said in a statement. Residents also have significantly higher rates of chronic disease such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, obesity and HIV.
"We are grateful to the United Health Foundation for its support of our efforts to provide much needed care to communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 emergency," said Brenda Battle, vice president of UChicago Medicine's Urban Health Initiative and chief diversity and inclusion officer. "The financial support will allow South Side health care providers to ramp up staff and supplies needed to make testing more widely available to those most at risk in the community, which is critical to our efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19."
UnitedHealth Group has committed an initial $70 million to fight COVID-19 and support impacted communities including health care workers, hard-hit states and localities, seniors and those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Meanwhile, starting Wednesday adult residents of Humboldt Park can be tested for the coronavirus at Norwegian American Hospital. The hospital said it will test people by appointment only, if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
