CHI Franciscan suspends billing for COVID-19 testing

CHI Franciscan, as part of the Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, is suspending billing for COVID-19 testing and treatment, according to a Tuesday press release.

Hospitals all across the CommonSpirit Health system, including CHI Franciscan, aim to expand access to COVID-19 care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

“The last thing our patients should worry about if they experience symptoms characteristic of this coronavirus is the cost of seeking care,” said Lloyd H. Dean, CEO of CommonSpirit Health. “While we cannot yet know how COVID-19 will spread in the days and weeks ahead, our care sites will remain available to our communities. The most important thing now is for people who experience symptoms of the coronavirus to contact their health care provider and seek medical care if directed to do so.”

This extends to all eight of CHI Franciscan’s acute care hospitals and 200 clinics.