EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: Crisis Response Tactics Insurers No Longer Waiving Out-of-Pocket COVID Costs By Staff Tuesday, August 24, 2021 11:55 AM Americans may be hit with surprising bills in the future if they’re hospitalized with COVID-19. While vaccines and testing are still free, many insurance companies are no longer waiving out-of-pocket expenses for people hospitalized with the coronavirus, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports. As highly effective vaccines became widely available, however, about three-quarters of health plans have ended the practice, the KFF said. Costs are being passed to the consumer. Head over to WebMD to read the full story.