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Medicare Now Covers Over the Counter COVID-19 Tests

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Medicare has launched a new initiative and will now cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to participants. 

Who’s eligible? 

Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. 

When does this initiative start? 

It starts April 4, 2022, and continues until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends. People with Medicare Part B can get up to eight free over-the-counter tests for the month of April any time before April 30, and can then get another set of eight free over-the-counter tests during each subsequent calendar month through the end of the COVID-19 PHE. 

How can I get tests through this initiative? 

You can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at any pharmacy or health care provider that participates in this initiative. A partial list of participating pharmacies can be found at https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.   

Do I have to change pharmacies to get a free test? 

No. You can get your free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests from any eligible pharmacy or health care provider that voluntarily participates in this initiative, even if you aren’t a current customer or patient.  

Will I have to pay anything to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in this initiative? 

No, you won’t have to pay as long as you go to an eligible pharmacy or health care provider that participates in this initiative. However, if you get more than the eight covered over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in any calendar month, Medicare will not pay for additional over-the-counter tests in that month.  

Can I get reimbursed for any tests I bought before April 4, 2022? 

No. Medicare will not provide payment for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests obtained prior to April 4, 2022. 

Do I have to wait a certain amount of time before I can get another eight over-the-counter tests through Medicare? 

This initiative covers up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month. If you’ve gotten eight of these tests in the current calendar month, you will need to wait until the beginning of the next calendar month to get more tests.  

Can I submit a claim for a test I pay for myself? 

No. Medicare cannot process a claim submitted by a beneficiary for a COVID-19 over-the-counter test. You should check whether your pharmacy or health care provider is participating in the initiative, in which case they will bill Medicare for the over-the-counter test on your behalf. 

When does this initiative end? 

Medicare will pay for up to eight free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per calendar month through this initiative as long as the COVID-19 PHE continues. 

What other ways are there to get COVID-19 tests for you and your family?

  • Order up to two sets of four at-home tests per household by visiting COVIDtests.gov
  • Get no-cost COVID-19 tests through health care providers at over 20,000 testing sites nationwide. 
  • Get PCR tests and antigen tests through a lab at no cost when a doctor or other health care professional orders it for you. 
  • During the COVID-19 PHE, get one lab-performed test without a health care professional’s order, at no cost. 

Call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) with any questions about this initiative. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. 

Medicare also maintains several resources to help ensure beneficiaries receive the correct benefits while also avoiding the potential for fraud or scams. More details—particularly on identifying scams related to COVID-19—can be found at https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

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