New Yorkers wrongly billed by Northwell-GoHealth for Covid-19 vaccines get full refunds

February 13, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

NYS Attorney General Letitia James announced the refunds on Monday for people who were wrongly billed for COVID-19 vaccines by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care clinics.
Photo: Brittainy Newman/AP

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Hundreds of New Yorkers who were mistakenly charged for COVID-19 vaccines by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care clinics have received full refunds, totaling nearly $15,000.

The refunds were issued after it was discovered that up to 731 individuals were improperly billed for vaccines that were meant to be free of charge during the pandemic state of emergency.

The issue came to light following complaints from patients who had received and paid for their COVID-19 vaccines at Northwell-GoHealth clinics, contrary to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Provider Agreement which mandated no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine.

An investigation revealed that administrative errors led to patients being charged approximately $28 per vaccine dose, resulting in 451 individuals or their guarantors making payments they should not have been required to make. Additionally, 72 unpaid vaccine bills were erroneously sent to collections.

“During the pandemic state of emergency, COVID-19 vaccines were free to all who wanted them,” said Attorney General James. “Clinics should be careful in ensuring that New Yorkers were not improperly charged fees for these vaccines and should take steps to refund any payments wrongfully charged and received. I encourage anyone who believes they may have been billed for a COVID-19 vaccine that was supposed to be free to reach out to my office.”

In response to the findings, Northwell-GoHealth has taken steps to rectify the situation by issuing refunds to all affected patients or guarantors and strengthening their billing practices to prevent future errors. The clinics have also committed to notifying all impacted consumers about the refunds or the mistaken charges.