South Carolina health group won’t charge patients for COVID-19 care, will send refunds

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A South Carolina health organization announced Friday that it will not charge patients who come to its hospital system for COVID-19 related treatment.

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Grand Strand Health, located in Myrtle Beach, also announced that it will be sending refund letters to COVID-19 patients who had already paid for their treatment, WMBF reported.

“Based on this policy, if patients made any up-front payments or co-pays they will be receiving a full refund for the amount paid,” Mark Sims, chief executive officer of Grand Strand Health, told the television station. “All patient balances related to COVID-19 treatment will be zero.”

According to recent data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, there are 916 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state, WMBF reported. There are 212 patients in intensive care, and 113 patients are on ventilators, the agency reported.

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