As of January 15, 2022, health plans are required to cover the cost of 8 FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) in-home diagnostic tests, per member per month.
The guidance is applicable to self-insured and fully insured group health care plans, including grandfathered health plans (“plans”):
- Plans and issuers must cover the cost of OTC COVID-19 tests, including tests obtained without a health care provider’s order or authorization.
- Coverage must be provided without cost-sharing (deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance) or prior authorization requirements.
- Plans must reimburse participants for the cost of testing per the plan’s claims procedures. Plans are not required to reimburse sellers of the kits directly but may do so voluntarily.
- The guidance “strongly encourages” plans to provide direct coverage for OTC COVID-19 tests by reimbursing sellers directly without requiring participants to seek reimbursement.
In addition, anyone can order and receive free testing kits online by visiting the link below
Free Government Covid-19 testing kits or by visiting https://special.usps.com/testkits.