Key Takeaways

Medicare will cover free COVID-19 at-home tests starting April 4, according to theCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS).

Eligibility applies to anyone with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Coverage will last until the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

The new coverage intends to eliminate cost barriers people insured through the federal program, which covers people 65 years or older as well as younger people with permanent kidney failure.

Medicare will cover up to eight FDA-authorized at-home COVID tests per month. The program will pay pharmacies and participating locations directly so that Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can pick up the tests for free conveniently, without having to go through a reimbursement process, according to aCMS factsheet.

This is the first time Medicare has covered an over-the-counter diagnostic test at no cost to patients.

“There are a number of issues that have made it difficult to cover and pay for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. However, given the importance of expanding access to testing, CMS has identified a pathway that will expand access to free over-the-counter testing for Medicare beneficiaries,” the CMS said in astatement.

Another Step Towards Making Tests Affordable and Accessible

The Biden administration faced scrutiny for its COVID-19 testing programs, particularly as the Omicron and Delta variants drove a surge in cases andtests became sparsein hard-hit areas.

To further expand testing, the White House purchased a billion at-home tests to send to anyone living in the U.S., regardless of insurance status. The program coversfour free at-home rapid tests per household. Individuals can request the tests at covidtests.gov.

Approximately 60 million households have placed orders through the program, and tens of millions have been shipped, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierretold reporters last week.

What This Means For YouIf you’re enrolled in a Medicare plan, you can now pick up eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month at various pharmacies and other locations nationwide. While you should check with your pharmacy or healthcare provider to see if they are participating, a partial list of participating pharmacies can be found atMedicare.gov.

What This Means For You

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare plan, you can now pick up eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month at various pharmacies and other locations nationwide. While you should check with your pharmacy or healthcare provider to see if they are participating, a partial list of participating pharmacies can be found atMedicare.gov.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Department of Health & Human Services.Who is eligible for Medicare?

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Department of Health & Human Services.Who is eligible for Medicare?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Department of Health & Human Services.Who is eligible for Medicare?

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?