Medicare to Offer Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests in Early Spring
Medicare and Medicare Benefit members will quickly be capable of get eight over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 exams per thirty days immediately from eligible pharmacies, in response to an announcement Thursday by the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies, or CMS.
Non-public and group medical health insurance plans have been required to cowl free over-the-counter COVID-19 exams since mid-January. Whereas the nation’s 64 million Medicare beneficiaries are coated for many different care associated to COVID-19, they have been unnoticed of that mandate.
“That is vital information that may make an enormous distinction in conserving folks secure,” mentioned Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., in an electronic mail. “Final week, I led my Senate colleagues in urging the Biden administration to cowl free over-the-counter COVID-19 exams for folks on Medicare.”
Assessments to be out there in early spring
Members enrolled in Medicare and Medicare Benefit may have entry to as much as eight over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 exams every month beginning in early spring, CMS mentioned in its announcement.
The coverage will take a while to implement as a result of it’s the primary of its sort for Medicare, which has by no means earlier than coated any form of free over-the-counter check for beneficiaries.
As of the announcement, dates and different particulars weren’t but out there, however CMS mentioned it’s “working across the clock to implement this initiative.”
Assessments will likely be free, not reimbursed later
The exams will likely be free from the pharmacy. Medicare and Medicare Benefit members gained’t want to purchase COVID-19 exams, then apply for reimbursement.
Medicare can pay pharmacies immediately for over-the-counter COVID-19 exams, so members will be capable of get free exams from collaborating places solely. CMS recommends asking your native pharmacy or well being care supplier in the event that they take part within the free at-home COVID-19 testing initiative as soon as it goes into impact.
Different testing choices out there within the meantime
Listed here are different choices for Medicare beneficiaries to get examined for COVID-19 earlier than the spring:
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Each family can obtain 4 free over-the-counter exams from the federal authorities by covidtests.gov or by calling 800-232-0233.
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Neighborhood well being facilities, clinics and state and native governments would possibly provide free at-home exams.
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Medicare covers all prices for medical laboratory exams for COVID-19 each time they’re ordered by a well being care supplier, plus one check per 12 months with out an order.
Medicare Benefit plans would possibly already provide some protection for over-the-counter COVID-19 exams, however they aren’t but required to take action. You probably have Medicare Benefit, examine your plan supplies or contact your insurer for extra info.
