NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Over 1,600 people on Long Island have received bills for COVID-19 tests, which were supposed to be free.
Lisa Breland tells WCBS 880 she went to a church in Huntington Station after seeing a flyer promoting free coronavirus tests at the location. But, months after receiving the test, she was sent two bills for the procedure.
“The $200 one, I told them they could eat that bill,” she said. “I really wasn’t going to pay it.”
She said she first received a bill for $100 for the COVID saliva swab.
“The second bill came last week for $215. When I spoke to the gentleman, he said they were getting reimbursed by the federal government but it fell through,” Breland said. “My response is that that’s not my problem.”
While the first bill was covered by her insurance company, the second one was not.
Breland said she tried to contest the bill but was given the “run around” until she contacted State Sen. James Gaughran’s office.
“No one gave me any help or any clear answers from New York State. It wasn’t until I called the senator who said, ‘This is what’s gonna be done,’” she said.
The company is now sending out letters to the 1,600 people who received bills that they are not responsible for the cost.
It remains unclear if those who did pay their bills will be reimbursed for the cost.