Medicare will begin covering the cost of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests beginning in early spring, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced Thursday.
Insurance companies and group health plans have been required to pay for at-home tests since Jan. 15, but Medicare was not included in that mandate. Under the Biden Administration’s new pathway, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plan members will have access to eight over-the-counter tests each month that are approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
“This new initiative will enable payment from Medicare directly to participating pharmacies and other participating entities to allow Medicare beneficiaries to pick up tests at no cost,” CMS said in an announcement. “CMS anticipates that this option will be available to people with Medicare in the early spring.”
All Medicare beneficiaries with Part B are eligible for the new benefit, even if they are not enrolled in an Advantage plan.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.