Beginning April 4, 2022, Medicare now covers the cost of up to eight over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests per calendar month for Part B and Medicare Advantage participants. It is important to note that Medicare will not cover OTC COVID-19 tests for patients who only have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage, but they may still be eligible for free tests through other programs.
Medicare will cover the costs of these tests until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) comes to an end. Patients can get the tests through any participating pharmacy or health care provider. A partial list of participating pharmacies can be found at https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus, or by calling your pharmacy or health care provider.
For more information, read the full fact sheet at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-covers-over-counter-covid-19-tests, or call 1-877-486-2048.
