Attorney General encourages Illinois
residents to be cautious of pop-up Covid testing sites
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[January 13, 2022]
As the omicron variant continues to spread,
increasing the number of positive COVID-19 cases throughout
Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued guidance
regarding “pop-up” COVID-19 testing sites and price gouging of
at-home rapid tests.
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A nationwide shortage of COVID-19 tests and available
testing appointments has led many Illinois residents to turn to what
are known as “pop-up” testing sites. These testing sites are not
licensed or regulated by any government agency, and the Attorney
General’s office cannot confirm the legitimacy of individual pop-up
testing locations. The Attorney General’s office is offering
guidance and encouraging people to exercise caution before visiting
any testing site.
“The omicron variant has compelled many residents to seek COVID-19
testing in order to protect themselves and their families. The
increased need for testing has also resulted in testing shortages,
leading people to visit so-called ‘pop-up’ testing locations,” Raoul
said. “It is important for people to know that these sites are not
licensed or regulated by a government agency, and they should ask
questions before visiting a pop-up testing location – or try to
utilize a state-sponsored testing site.”
Attorney General Raoul recommends that people first try to utilize a
state-sponsored testing site to the extent possible. Individuals can
contact their health care providers for testing or testing center
recommendations. People can also find a testing location by visiting
the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website, the Cook County
Department of Health’s website and the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ website.
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The Attorney General’s office is encouraging individuals who choose
to use a testing site that is not included on state-sponsored lists
or recommended by a primary care provider to first consider the
following:
What tests does the site administer?
Who analyzes the results?
What laboratory does the site use? Visit https://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html
to determine whether the lab being used is CLIA certified.
When will test results be communicated to you, and how/from
whom will you receive that communication?
Who can you call with questions or concerns about results?
What type of personal information will the site ask you to
provide?
Does the site charge any out-of-pocket fee?
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Does the site appear to observe the CDC’s
recommendations to protect against COVID-19? For instance, do
workers maintain a distance of six feet between people and wear
masks indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission?
https://www.cdc.gov
/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
Attorney General Raoul says people should be aware
that testing sites often ask for insurance information and
identifying information, such as a state-issued ID. If asked for
information you are not comfortable providing, the Attorney
General’s office encourages people to ask whether they can obtain
the test without providing it. Additionally, people should be aware
that most testing sites will not request payment out of pocket and
will instead bill insurance companies, or, if individuals are
uninsured, seek reimbursement from a federal fund. Raoul says that
being asked to pay out of pocket is a red flag, and people should
exercise caution if a site requests cash out-of-pocket or upfront
credit or debit card payments for a test.
Raoul urges people to choose a different testing site if they visit
one where something does not seem right. Individuals are encouraged
to file a complaint on the Attorney General’s website if they
believe they have been the victim of fraud, or if they were not
charged at the time of a COVID-19 test but later receive a bill for
testing services.
As Illinois residents opt to use at-home rapid testing, the Attorney
General’s office is also warning of bad actors potentially seeking
to profit from the pandemic. Attorney General Kwame Raoul is
reminding businesses and individuals to maintain fair prices and
refrain from price gouging on goods that are crucial to stopping the
spread of COVID-19, including at-home rapid tests. Raoul is also
warning people to be aware of potential fake test kits offered for
sale and is encouraging individuals to visit the FDA’s website for a
list of approved at-home test kits. Consumers should expect to pay
between $14 and $25 for packs of at-home rapid test kits, such as
those from iHealth or Binax NOW.
Attorney General Raoul urges Illinois consumers who are believe they
have experienced or witnessed price gouging, or believe they have
purchased fraudulent test kits to file a complaint by visiting the
Attorney General’s website.
[Illinois Attorney General's Office] |