COVID test prices skyrocket to nearly $300

Some relief will soon be on the way if you can wait

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A nationwide shortage in available COVID-19 tests has driven up the prices – with some locations charging almost $300 for a PCR test.

Nebraska has seen a lack of accessibility recently.  Nomi Health’s local testing site was closed yesterday and will be again today due to the extremely cold weather.  An estimated 1,000 tests will be canceled.

Unfortunately, situations similar to this, along with insufficient tests available, have caused an incredible increase in prices across the country.  Boutique testing sites run by independent groups have become more popular.  In order to keep up with supply and demand, they have had to increase customer costs.

A San Diego resident, Christine Izzo, was in a pinch trying to get her children tested before they returned to their respective schools after winter break.  Izzo said many of the local testing sites were closed for the holidays, so she had to take extreme measures to get results on time.

“The rapid test for my son was $125, paid out of pocket in advance. And my daughter’s PCR test with a report was $299. I swallowed hard,” Izzo said.  Her insurance denied the refund request for the total $434 she paid for the two tests.  “I am blessed to say that for us, I’m able to work a couple of extra hours and cover the cost without a significant financial hardship.  I recognize for other people that means they wouldn’t eat for a few weeks and that so many people just couldn’t bear the cost.”

Fortunately, some relief is on the way.  President Biden announced that his administration is buying another 500 million at-home COVID tests.  Insurance companies are also now required to cover the cost of 8 at-home COVID-19 tests for each person every month.  Free COVID-19 testing sites near you can be found at this website.