In his address to the nation on Tuesday, 17 March 2020, President Danilo Medina announced that private labs are authorized to carry out Covid-19 lab tests and that the test will be added to the list of coverage by health insurance providers. Local media followed this up and found out it could be quite some time before insurance coverage kicks in. The media also reports that Amadita and Referencia labs are carrying out the test but there are many steps needed to be tested. A neumologist, internist or infectologist needs to prescribe the test. The test costs RD$5,500 at Amadita. There are reports the cost of the test would be lowered to RD$4,300 at both labs.
At the present time, testing is free at the Laboratorio Nacional Dr. Defilló by calling the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology hotline. The Ministry of Public Health has a hotline for people to call in case the two key symptoms of fever and dry cough. This is 809 686-9140, or 809 200-4091 for toll free calls from provinces from 8am to 8pm. There is also a WhatsApp telephone at 829 542-7009.
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19 March 2020