Thanks to reports from patients, Carle has uncovered an error in our billing process where approximately 30 uninsured patients received a bill for $55 for the cost to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. Carle acted quickly to investigate the source of this issue and has put a new procedure in place to prevent it from happening again. We are proactively reaching out to affected patients to alert them of the error. If you are uninsured and receive a bill from Carle for your COVID-19 vaccine, please call (888) 712-2753 for assistance.
This prompted clarification on how Carle bills for a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Carle provides care to all who need it and believes concerns about the cost of healthcare should not stop anyone from receiving it,” Kayla Banks, vice president of women’s and children’s services for Carle Health said. “Today, we’re extending this commitment by again sharing with patients and our communities that Carle will not bill patients directly for the COVID-19 vaccine.”
She noted that in accordance with the CARES Act, Carle, like many other healthcare institutions, will continue to request reimbursement first from private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid before requesting federal reimbursement for any remaining cost sharing but patients will not have any out of pocket cost for the cost to deliver the vaccine. For uninsured individuals, Carle can seek reimbursement from the federal government, but the individual will not be responsible for any cost sharing.
“Carle has worked with several patients who received an Explanation of Benefits from their insurance provider showing a patient balance, which caused them to believe they would incur an out of pocket cost which isn’t the case,” Banks said. “Additionally, MyCarle users have noticed real time charges posting before insurance has been applied and called to express concerns about their costs.”
Banks said while health insurance can be complicated and confusing, what’s most important for the community to know is that Carle is committed to delivering vaccine to those who need it safely and efficiently.
“We’re continuing to work with our local public health departments to remove barriers for those who want to receive the vaccine and our prompt attention to patient concerns today is just one more way to be sure anyone who wants a vaccine in our community can get one – without the fear or burden of a bill,” she said.
This prompted clarification on how Carle bills for a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Carle provides care to all who need it and believes concerns about the cost of healthcare should not stop anyone from receiving it,” Kayla Banks, vice president of women’s and children’s services for Carle Health said. “Today, we’re extending this commitment by again sharing with patients and our communities that Carle will not bill patients directly for the COVID-19 vaccine.”
She noted that in accordance with the CARES Act, Carle, like many other healthcare institutions, will continue to request reimbursement first from private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid before requesting federal reimbursement for any remaining cost sharing but patients will not have any out of pocket cost for the cost to deliver the vaccine. For uninsured individuals, Carle can seek reimbursement from the federal government, but the individual will not be responsible for any cost sharing.
“Carle has worked with several patients who received an Explanation of Benefits from their insurance provider showing a patient balance, which caused them to believe they would incur an out of pocket cost which isn’t the case,” Banks said. “Additionally, MyCarle users have noticed real time charges posting before insurance has been applied and called to express concerns about their costs.”
Banks said while health insurance can be complicated and confusing, what’s most important for the community to know is that Carle is committed to delivering vaccine to those who need it safely and efficiently.
“We’re continuing to work with our local public health departments to remove barriers for those who want to receive the vaccine and our prompt attention to patient concerns today is just one more way to be sure anyone who wants a vaccine in our community can get one – without the fear or burden of a bill,” she said.
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