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No More Surprise Bills for COVID-19 Tests

This act aims to protect citizens from unexpected costs for COVID-19 tests. It ensures that insurers cover the full cost of tests, whether the facility is in-network or out-of-network, and prohibits medical facilities from charging patients additional fees. Additionally, the act increases price transparency for tests and requires the government to issue clear billing guidelines.
Key points
No extra charges for COVID-19 tests: Medical facilities cannot bill patients for COVID-19 tests, even if they are out-of-network.
Insurers must cover full costs: Health plans must pay for COVID-19 tests without additional patient charges like co-pays or prior authorization.
Increased price transparency: The government will collect and publish information on COVID-19 test prices, allowing citizens to compare costs.
Clear billing rules: The government will issue guidelines to ensure the billing process for tests is straightforward and doesn't burden patients.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_2411
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Process start date: 2021-07-21
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_2411.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-21.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • No extra charges for COVID-19 tests: Medical facilities cannot bill patients for COVID-19 tests, even if they are out-of-network.
  • Insurers must cover full costs: Health plans must pay for COVID-19 tests without additional patient charges like co-pays or prior authorization.
  • Increased price transparency: The government will collect and publish information on COVID-19 test prices, allowing citizens to compare costs.
  • Clear billing rules: The government will issue guidelines to ensure the billing process for tests is straightforward and doesn't burden patients.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Health