Laboratories, especially Ile-de-France, would make the French pay to provide them with faster results. Between the sometimes very long queue and the growing delay to obtain the results of the Covid-19 screening tests, some citizens would not hesitate to pay the bill.
Results in less than 48 hours for 100 €
In week 37, from September 7 to 13, 1,041,279 people were tested for the SARS-Cov-2 virus. The number of French people who are screened is increasing compared to the previous week: they were 902,815. Faced with this growing demand, the deadlines to receive the results are increasingly long (sometimes a week). In response to this precipitation, laboratories have reportedly offered the population to pay € 100 for the test, in order to have results within 48 hours maximum. This is apparently the case with a laboratory located in the center of Paris and another in Seine-Saint-Denis. Some have “urgent” needs. A professional requires negative results to fly, a future patient must take the test before an operation and others show symptoms. All have good reason to be in a hurry to receive the conclusions. Some people do not hesitate to give in and pay the requested amount, while others are more reserved. However, this approach is illegal and health professionals are outraged.
Unequal and illegal practice
In France, the Covid-19 disease screening test is accessible to everyone, even without a medical certificate. The PCR test is fully covered by Medicare. The French do not have to pay to get tested. The laboratories concerned are legally illegal. In addition, the Ministry of Health is clear: “the fact of charging for facilitated access to a test goes against the test policy conducted in France”. And to add: “Faced with the epidemic, the time has come for solidarity and responsibility, not every man for himself”. In addition, the screening strategy in France has evolved since September 11, to cope with the increase in the number of people who take the test and compensate for long waiting times, since the government has appointed priority groups. An online form is also available to reduce queues.
