Medicare At-Home COVID Tests
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Medicare does cover up to 8 over-the-counter COVID tests each calendar month you can use at home at no cost.
Starting April 4, 2022 , Medicare covers COIVD tests if you have Part B or are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. However, Medicare Part A does not cover these tests.
The COVID-19 public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023 . You have until this date to get Medicare-covered at-home COVID tests.
CMS Update
On Thursday, February 3, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made the announcement:
People enrolled in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. Get more details , and stay tuned to our blog for Medicare news updates.
Starting Jan. 15, 2022, private insurers began covering at-home COVID-19 tests. Unfortunately, this presents a problem if you have healthcare coverage through Original Medicare.
Medicare doesn’t cover self-administered diagnostic tests. That means only Americans with private health insurance or group health plans will have access to the eight over-the-counter at-home antigen tests available per person per month.
The Biden administration issued the ruling earlier this year, making it possible for a family of four on the same insurance plan to receive up to 32 tests per month. They’ve even required insurers to reimburse people for tests purchased outside of their network.
COVID Tests FAQs
Where do I order at-home COVID tests?
You can order up to two sets of four at-home COVID tests per household at COVIDtests.gov .
Where can I find COVID testing sites?
You can find low or no-cost COVID-19 testing locations near you .
What pharmacies provide COVID testing?
Pharmacies that offer COVID testing include:
At-Home COVID Tests
At-home COVID tests are rapid antigen tests and can be taken anywhere. You can see test results within 30 minutes. These self-tests are also called over-the-counter (OTC) tests. You can voluntarily report positive or negative COVID test results at MakeMyTestCount.org .
When to Take a COVID Test?
The Department of Health and Human Services advises taking a COVID test whenever you:
Have COVID-19 symptoms: fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell
At least five days after coming into contact with someone with COVID-19
Before you gather with a group of people or with anyone at risk of severe disease
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The above is meant to be strictly educational and not intended to provide medical advice or solicit the sales of an insurance product or service of any kind.
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