Medicare Home Covid Tests

By Ed Crowe | | 0 comment | 22 January, 2022 | 0

Medicare Home Covid Tests

The Biden administration is now requiring commercial health plans to cover the cost of at-home, over the counter COVID-19 test kits.

Please note: the reimbursement does NOT apply to those individuals who are on Medicare.

Neither Medicare Advantage nor Medicare Supplement plans cover the purchase of home Covid tests. This is the case weather you purchase them in a store, online or at a pharmacy. Medicare does not cover the cost. Medicare does however, pay for Covid-19 tests that either a doctor or another healthcare professional orders for you and is performed by a lab. However, members of Medicare plans are eligible for one free, lab preformed test a year without the need of a doctor’s order.

Learn more about Medicare coverage for Covid tests

Click here for more Covid information from the CDC

Medicare Home Covid Tests; agent information:

If a Medicare plan member calls to ask if their Medicare plan covers at-home rapid COVID testing, here are a few things they need to know:

First, Medicare Advantage plans cover all COVID-19 tests that a doctor orders for you.
Second, Medicare Advantage plans cover one self-ordered, at-home test as long as it is processed in a lab.
Third, Medicare does not cover self-administered, at-home rapid tests at this time. Please note: this does not prevent Medicare members from accessing “free” at-home rapid tests that may be available in their community.

Currently, the HHS is working to provide as many as 50 million free at-home tests for distribution to Medicare certified health clinics as well as community-based health centers.

Click here to learn more

Please be advised; your health plan provider does have a preferred pharmacy network. You should check with your provider to find an in-network pharmacy to receive the best reimbursement.

If you purchase your test at an out-of-network pharmacy; your health plan is still required to reimburse the costs. If this is the case, insurers may pay up to $12 per test.

Which at home test have the best ratings; click here to find out

Only Authorized antigen tests are eligible for reimbursement.

Be sure the test kit you purchase is approved for use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), If it is not, you may not receive a reimbursement for the purchase.

Click here to view a list of authorized antigen tests.

Medicare Home Covid Tests