Thursday is the last day to obtain COVID-19 testing reimbursed by insurance

COVID-19

Since the pandemic public health emergency ended on Thursday, most people won’t have much time left to get insurance-covered COVID-19 tests. After the federal government’s health emergency, which began in March 2020, ends, the cost of some COVID-19 treatments and testing kits will change.

Covid Kits no longer covered by insurance

The White House announced in late January that it would end the designations of a public health emergency and a national health emergency in May, which sets off policy changes. COVID Test kits are no longer provided for free by insurance. On April 10, President Biden gave his blessing to a GOP-led resolution that brought an early end to the COVID national emergency.

Since January 2022, people who have health insurance can get up to eight free at-home tests per month. Confidential wellbeing plans have been expected to cover the over-the-counter tests at up to $12 a test. Shoppers can either buy the testing packs at no expense at taking an interest stores and drug stores as well as on the web or submit receipts for repayment from the insurance agency.

State Medicaid programs should give inclusion without cost sharing to Coronavirus testing until Sept. 30, 2024. A medical professional may also order or administer PCR and rapid tests at a cost.

Many plans including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Aetna have said on their sites that May 11 is the last day for inclusion for most plans “except if commanded by state administrative necessities.” “With no prior authorization or enrollee cost sharing,” California extended the testing, vaccination, and treatment requirements for health plans by six months until November 11, 2023.

In the interim, there’s a worry the market for tests will disperse, particularly to burn through cash on tests, Axios’ Tina Reed and Arielle Dreher report. According to a McDermott+Consulting analysis, 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries received more than 30 million at-home COVID tests from April to September 2022. The tests will also no longer be covered by Medicare.