Many Americans may be able to COVID-19 test The company called GS Labs after the company agreed to a $4.87 million settlement, according to court records. The settlement comes after 18 states filed lawsuits accusing GS Labs of charging customers for COVID-19 tests and engaging in unfair business practices, according to state investigators.
GS Labs agreed to pay $4.87 million to settle the case but denied wrongdoing. People living in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, new jerseyNorth Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Washington state may be eligible for settlement payments, according to terms of the settlement cited by The Sun.
GS Labs Overcharge Claim
Investigators looked into GS Labs’ testing operations nationwide from 2020 to 2022. Investigators said GS Labs charged much more than normal for COVID-19 testing. The investigation also alleged that the company charged customers unexpected administrative fees, according to court documents.
Investigators further claimed that GS Labs frequently failed to provide test results within the promised three days. According to investigators, some coronavirus test kits cost as much as $380 each. Some tests to check for the coronavirus and other illnesses reportedly cost up to $1,000. Nearly 30,000 customers are said to have paid far more for the tests than normal market prices.
The latest coronavirus test results
The clients are expected to receive about $1.8 million from the settlement fund. State investigators also claim that hundreds of thousands of customers received test results later than promised.
In some cases, customers reportedly had to wait a week or more for results advertised as available within three days. The lawsuit alleges that delayed results create problems for people who need test results for travel, family visits, work or events, according to state officials.
who can get the money
Investigators also accuse GS Labs of telling insured patients they would not cover the additional costs. Despite these assurances, the company allegedly charged an administration fee of up to $49 per test.
Approximately 70,000 customers are affected by these administrative fees. Those customers could receive about $1.7 million from the settlement. People who believe they are eligible can submit a claim through the GS Labs Settlement Website.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in The Sun that he has “no patience” for companies allegedly profiting from the pandemic by charging consumers exorbitant fees. Ellison said many people rely on rapid coronavirus test results when traveling, visiting family and attending events, and delays can cause serious problems. He said the settlement agreement holds GS Labs accountable for allegedly overcharging customers and misrepresenting its services.
GS Labs Response
GS Labs had been a major coronavirus testing provider, processing nearly a third of tests in some states during the pandemic. The company has permanently closed. GS Labs said in a statement that it tested more than 1.4 million American According to “The Sun”, about 200,000 positive cases of the new coronavirus have been found.
GS Labs said that at its peak, it controlled 20% to 30% of the rapid testing market in states such as Minnesota and Washington. The company said the settlement does not mean it admits the allegations are true. GS Labs said it agreed to settle the case simply to end years of investigations and legal disputes.
So eligible customers in 18 states can apply for a refund if they were overcharged, charged unexpected fees or received their coronavirus test results later than promised.
