The economics are simple: As demand for personal protective equipment skyrocketed due to the coronavirus pandemic, prices went up.

Health care providers especially felt the burden of those costs: National shutdown orders prevented them from carrying out bread-and-butter operations like elective surgeries or dental cleanings. This had a significant impact on their bottom lines. As early as last spring, dental offices in particular had begun passing some of the new PPE costs on to consumers through surcharges on customers’ bills to offset some of those expenses.

There are problems with this. In many cases, consumers weren’t aware of the fees until they saw the bill. There should be an upfront explanation about the increased costs. And those costs shouldn’t be pushed onto a patient. Rather, insurance companies should cover the increased cost of doing business.

Dental work requires strict PPE usage due to proximity to patients’ respiratory systems. The American Dental Association is encouraging insurance companies to reimburse patients for the cost of PPE.

It might be a $5 disinfecting fee here, a $25 charge for PPE there, or a several-hundred-dollar “supplemental” fee at a senior living home.

It adds up.

Consumer protection laws require companies to itemize bills. This isn’t enough. An upfront announcement of any additional costs or fees due to COVID-19 should be standard protocol. Some do provide warnings, explaining that lost revenue and increased cost have necessitated a temporary coronavirus charge, but there are hundreds of reports in nearly 30 states of people reporting companies or medical providers for add-on surprises.

This must change. Steps should be taken to require insurers to reimburse for the full amount being charged to patients. That’s what insurance is for. Until then, businesses must be upfront about the costs they are passing on to consumers. And buyers should beware.

— Tribune News Service