Just as Erie County's COVID 19 numbers saw a big spike last week, the region's three major health insurance companies announcing they will stop covering some coronavirus testing.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Univera and Independant Health say they will only cover tests ordered by a doctor, and not tests for those returning to school or work.
The moves comes after the federal government decided in June that insurers could deny coverage of testing for “public health surveillance” or “general workplace health and safety" purposes.
Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County’s health commissioner, tells the Buffalo News, the shift in policy is “frustrating” and will “limit access to Covid-19 testing,” particularly for low-income people.