SLO County adds new coronavirus testing fees amid budget shortfall

San Luis Obispo County will charge new fees for COVID-19 testing at the County Public Health Lab effective Aug. 7, according to a county media report.

In a public hearing Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors discussed an ordinance amending the county fee schedule to add the new testing fees, which will be billed to medical insurance.

“Persons themselves will not bear the cost, but this will allow our laboratory to get revenue that will allow the ongoing testing support needed over the course of this pandemic,” county Health Officer, Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “The (SLO) County Public Health lab prioritizes testing for health care workers, hospitalized patients, congregate care settings, corrections facilities, contacts of those who have tested positive.”

The new ordinance is not related to the state sponsored testing sites which had already been billing insurance companies if the person getting tested was insured, according to the County Public Health Department. The county’s public health lab is reserved for people at high risk and those who live in congregate settings, like residential care facilities and jails.

The new fees will offset the costs of the staff and testing equipment it takes to administer COVID-19 testing, as the county is facing a $32 million to $56 million budget shortfall, the release said.

The fees will generate an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 in revenue that will help offset the costs of testing at current capacity, which is impacting the County Public Health Department, the report says.

As Dr. Borenstein said at the press briefing, if people are tested by Public Health and they do not have insurance, they will not be charged the fee. There is no fee or cost sharing allowed at the state or federal level for

The county Public Health Department is also facing delays in COVID-19 testing.

Over the past week or so, state-run testing sites have been increasingly booked, according to San Luis Obispo County health officials. That’s led to longer wait times for appointments.

San Luis Obispo County is expected to be added to a state “watch list” after failing to meet all of California’s criteria to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic, county public health officials said.

CARES Act funds are anticipated to offset a portion of the expenses to date for the COVID-19 tests already completed, the report says.

For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit ReadySLO.org or call 805-788-2903.

This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 5:05 AM.