Dear Matt,
Does Medicare pay for at-home rapid COVID testing?
Thanks,
Ashley S.
COVID-19 Testing and Medicare Coverage
Ashley,
Original Medicare does not yet officially cover rapid over-the-counter OTC COVID-19 tests. Still, on February 3, 2022, Medicare just announced that they would begin to pay for them sometime this year. They’ll be covered under Medicare Part B.
Remember, you’re on Original Medicare if you use your red, white, and blue Medicare card with or without a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to pay for your healthcare. If you’re on Original Medicare, there are many different ways you can get tested for COVID at no or low cost. I’ve made some slight copy edits to what Medicare published for brevity and clarity:
Source: COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Tests & Medicare Frequently Asked Questions
You can request free over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits for home delivery at covidtests.gov. You can access low-to-no-cost COVID-19 tests through healthcare providers at over 20,000 free testing sites nationwide. A list of community-based testing sites can be found by clicking here. You can also get lab-based PCR tests and antigen tests when ordered by a doctor, non-physician healthcare practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional at no cost through Medicare. In addition to accessing a COVID-19 lab test ordered by a health care professional, people with Medicare can also access one lab-performed test without an order, also without cost-sharing, during a public health emergency.
Source: COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Tests & Medicare Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Testing and Medicare Advantage
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, OTC COVID-19 testing coverage is a decision your Medicare Advantage insurance company makes. In my experience, most Medicare Advantage plans cover these but call the number on the back of your card to make sure.
I hope that helps, Ashley!
I love answering Medicare questions. Send me yours by clicking here and I’ll pick a few for a future blog post!
To your wealth, wisdom, and wellness!
-Matt Feret
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