The cost of COVID-19 at-home testing kits is high and difficult to obtain in the United States. However, those who have been able to secure them can get their money back. The White House announced that private insurance companies will now be required to pay for COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
“Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well as to quickly diagnose COVID-19 so that it can be effectively treated,” Chiquita Brooks LaSure, Chief of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a Statement. “Today’s action further removes financial barriers and expands access to COVID-19 tests for millions of people.”
The new requirement will go into effect on Saturday.
Here’s what you need to know about the reimbursements:
How many test kits can I be reimbursed?
Each person can now have eight at-home tests reimbursed monthly. A family of four could have 32 tests each month, even if they have the same healthcare plan.
The statement states that there is no limit to how many tests a person can get reimbursed for each month if they have an underlying medical condition.
Can I get the full amount for the test?
It depends. If you ask your health plan’s preferred pharmacy or retailer for a COVID-19 at-home test, it will be provided to you with no out-of-pocket cost. The retailer would provide the test for free and then reimburse the insurance company directly.
You will need to file a claim with your health plan to get reimbursement if the test was not purchased from a preferred retailer or pharmacy. Only $12 is covered by insurance.
If a health insurance plan doesn’t have a preferred retailer, the insurance company will take full responsibility for the cost. There is no cap on how much.
Who are the Eligible Candidates?
The latest ruling states that only Americans with private insurance can be reimbursed for at home test kits. There is no cost sharing or co-pay.
Non-Medicare or Medicare-insured people will not be eligible for reimbursement.
They will still be eligible to receive COVID-19 test at a healthcare facility. In order to make sure that their patients are well-informed, the White House will send 50 million at-home free tests to community and Medicare-certified rural clinics.
State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs already cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests.
What Tests are Approved?
All over-the-counter COVID-19 tests that are approved for emergency use by U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) are covered. These are just a few examples:
- Abbot’s BinaxNow
- Quidel’s QuickVue
- Orasure’s InteliSwab
- Intrivo’s On/Go
In November, the FDA warned that fraudulent tests have been reported that were not approved for emergency use. Consumers should avoid these as they are not covered by the plan.
I have already bought tests. Do They Have Coverage?
Only tests purchased after January 15, 20,22 are eligible for reimbursement by private insurance plans.
How do I get a test?
Unfortunately, many major pharmacies and online stores are still out of stock.