Last week, the Biden administration announced a policy that will require commercial insurance carriers to reimburse consumers, for amounts paid to cover the cost of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. Since seniors on Medicare are already eligible to receive free COVID-19 tests, Biden’s recent announcement does not apply to anyone who has Medicare or Medicaid. To be clear, there is no reimbursement for OTC rapid COVID-19 tests for those on Medicare.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act already addresses free Covid-19 tests for those on Medicare. This legislation requires free testing for the following types of medical visits, doctor’s offices, telehealth, urgent care centers, emergency departments and hospital observation stays. Additionally, you don’t have to pay, if your provider decides not to do a test after you’ve been evaluated. Find out how Medicare and Medigap plans help cover the cost of COVID-19 treatment.
COVID-19 tests that are ordered by a doctor are covered at no cost by Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Most MA plans will also pay for one at-home self-ordered test, that is analyzed in a laboratory. This will not prevent a Medicare member from accessing “free” at-home kits that may be offered in your community as explained below.
How to Get Free COVID-19 Tests When You Have Medicare
The Biden-Harris Administration will buy 500 million over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests, to give to all Americans that want them, the first distribution will begin in January 2022. There will be a website to visit where you can request delivery of the at-home tests—for free. This will include Medicare beneficiaries as well.
You can order free COVID-19 at home test from the United States Postal Service here
In addition, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is providing up to 50 million free at-home tests to community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics, for distribution to patients and community members at no cost. This free COVID-19 testing program is designed to ensure that tests are delivered to people and places in need of testing, particularly those who are at high risk of the adverse effects of COVID-19.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also established over 10,000 free community-based pharmacy testing locations across the United States. In response to the Omicron crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are establishing surge testing sites in all 50 states.
People who don’t have insurance can also get free at-home COVID-19 tests from some community health centers, libraries, and fire stations.