Unvaccinated workers calculate the costs of regular COVID testing — Biden administration sets Jan. 4 vaccination deadline for workers
Starting early next year, unvaccinated employees will have to make time to undergo COVID-19 testing, according to newly unveiled federal rules for private-sector businesses with at least 100 staffers.
But in a twist to make unvaccinated workers pay for their decision, the rules say employers are not obligated to provide regular testing for those employees — and they’re not required to pay for it either. That approach is on display elsewhere, as more employers implement vaccination requirements or think about making unvaccinated workers pay surcharges on their health-care premiums. Meanwhile, an increasing number of health-insurance companies are making people pick up their side of the costs for COVID-19 treatment and hospitalization.
The new rule’s authors say they are aware of the potential financial toll. “Because employees who choose to remain unvaccinated will generally be required to pay for their own COVID-19 testing, this standard creates a financial incentive for those employees to become fully vaccinated and avoid that cost,” said the 490-page rule posted Thursday to the Federal Register.
People should check with their health-insurance company about the extent of coverage for COVID-19 tests, but Kelmar’s view is many insurers are not picking up the costs. “In this case, the consequence is they are likely to be paying a fair amount out of pocket each week because of their choice not to get a vaccine,” she said.
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