Patients in Trump-Touted Health Plans May See Big Covid-19 Bills

The government says it will pay for coronavirus testing of people with short-term health plans, but not for actual treatment. Beneficiaries might face big medical bills as a result.

Cost-Benefit Tradeoff: Short-term health plans usually cost less than comprehensive plans but have been criticized for typically not covering pre-existing conditions or many benefits required under the Affordable Care Act. Many short-term plans also limit what they’ll pay for hospital coverage.

Definitions Diverge: There are questions about whether short-term plan beneficiaries are deemed “uninsured” and thus eligible for government payment of the medical services they get. The law addressing Covid-19 testing ...