Memo Regarding COVID Test Bills

May 17, 2021

Dear Rutgers Community Members,

If you have recently taken a COVID-19 test at Rutgers University and have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (HBCBSNJ), you may have received a communication in error potentially stating that a payment is due to the provider Accurate Diagnostic Labs. Do NOT make a payment. HBCBSNJ is taking steps to correct this error.

There is no need to call the University, Occupational Health, HBCBSNJ, or Accurate Diagnostic Labs, as all parties are aware of the error and actively correcting it. If your insurance carrier HBCBSNJ sent you an EOB (explanations of benefits) stating that a portion of your COVID-19 testing is pending a balance due to the provider Accurate Diagnostic Labs, this was an ERROR and no action is needed at this time. If you received a patient statement from Accurate Diagnostic Labs, this is an error and no action is needed at this time.

When testing is provided to you through the Rutgers University COVID-19 Testing Program, there is NO PATIENT PORTION associated with COVID-19 testing. HBCBSNJ, your claim carrier, is taking action to correct and reprocess the claim. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please allow two to three weeks to allow HBCBSNJ to reprocess the claim and remove the error. If you do have further questions, you can call your insurance carrier for further details.

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University

Vicente Gracias, MD
Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University