Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

Forwarding consumer fact sheets which spells out coverage for covid testing after May 11 ,2023.

Ann Kayrish

Senior Program Manager for Medicare

National Council on Aging

251 18^th Street South

Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22202

571-527-3945

From: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services <xxxxxx@subscriptions.cms.hhs.gov>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 8:28 AM
To: Ann Kayrish <xxxxxx@ncoa.org>
Subject: Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

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Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is to end on May 11, 2023. The ending of the Public Health Emergency may impact an individual’s coverage of COVID-19 tests. We encourage you to know these changes and share the New Consumer Fact Sheet on COVID-19 tests.

Consumer Fact Sheets:

Before May 11, 2023

If you have any type of health insurance, you can get up to eight over-the-counter tests per month with no out-of-pocket costs. Over-the-counter tests are available in most pharmacies and may also be available online for delivery.

After May 11, 2023

Laboratory tests for COVID-19 that are ordered by your provider will still be covered with no out-of-pocket costs for people with Medicare. Over-the-counter tests will still be available, but there may be out-of-pocket costs. Coverage of over-the-counter tests may vary by your insurance type, as described below.

What does this mean for Medicare Beneficiaries?

Generally, Medicare doesn’t cover or pay for over-the counter products. The demonstration that has allowed us to offer coverage for COVID-19 over-the-counter tests at no cost ends on May 11, 2023.

However, if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you will continue to have coverage with no out-of-pocket costs for appropriate laboratory-based COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests, when a provider orders them (such as drive-through PCR and antigen testing or testing in a provider’s office).

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have more access to tests depending on your

benefits. Check with your plan.

What does this mean for people with Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program?

If you have coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, you will have access to COVID-19 over-the-counter and laboratory testing through September 30, 2024. After that date, coverage of testing may vary by state.

What does this mean for people with Private Insurance?

If you have private insurance, coverage will vary depending on your health plan. However, private plans

won’t be required by federal law to cover over-the counter and laboratory-based COVID-19 tests after

May 11, 2023.

If your insurance chooses to cover COVID-19 testing, they may require cost sharing, prior authorization, or other forms of medical management.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has sent this update. To contact Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) go to our contact us page.

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