ORLANDO, Fla. —  Starting Tuesday, if you don’t have health insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket to get a COVID-19 test or treatment. While March 22 is the last day to submit a claim for testing and treatment, the deadline to submit a claim for the vaccine is April 5.

The reason? There is not enough funding to cover medical provider claims for the uninsured, according to the White House.

During the pandemic, the government created the “Uninsured Program” which reimbursed medical providers for claims involving testing, vaccinations, and other services to anyone uninsured. 

Orlando Pharmacy owner Craig Sicinski says at the peak of the pandemic, he saw a huge influx of first-time patients.

“A lot of those were, in fact, uninsured and international as well,” shared Sicinski.

Sicinski, who says he got into this business to help others, adds as a business owner, he has to make money and can’t give out tests or services for free.   

"I don’t know what to do. These folks won’t have a lot of options for vaccinations unless they acquire some sort of insurance,” says Sicinski.

Sicinski prides himself on his customer service, which is something perhaps passed on from previous generations —  his great-grandfather was a pharmacist. He's concerned if there is another surge, the government won’t be able to restart this program quickly enough.

“There is going to be a shortage of patients who are getting their clinical services when it comes to testing and vaccinations, for sure- uninsured,” says Sicinski.

And the divide between the insured and uninsured, he fears, will only continue to grow.

In an earlier statement, the White House placed the blame squarely on Congress for not providing the government with enough funding. The White House is urging Congress to reconsider.