Today, the Biden administration announced that the nearly 64 million Americans on Medicare will be able to access free COVID-19 tests at certain pharmacies starting this spring. This action demonstrates the Biden administration’s commitment to saving lives and ending this pandemic as swiftly as possible using every tool at their disposal. Below are a collection of headlines in response to today’s news:
The Washington Post: Medicare To Offer Free At-Home Coronavirus Tests From Pharmacies, Starting In The Spring. “The Biden administration announced Thursday that, starting in early spring, the 64 million people on Medicare will be able to get free coronavirus rapid tests from certain pharmacies… Administration officials said the main obstacle is that the law and regulations for the traditional version of Medicare do not allow for coverage of over-the-counter medical products, such as the coronavirus tests people use at home.” [The Washington Post, 2/3/22]
New York Times: Medicare Will Provide Free At-Home Virus Tests For Pickup, The Biden Administration Says. “Medicare, which covers roughly 60 million Americans, will provide free over-the-counter rapid coronavirus tests beginning in the spring…The free tests covered by Medicare would go to some of the most vulnerable parts of the U.S. population. The vast majority of Medicare enrollees are 65 or older; others are younger people with disabilities.” [New York Times, 2/3/22]
Axios: Medicare To Cover At-Home Covid Tests. “Medicare will start paying for at-home COVID-19 tests purchased through eligible pharmacies and retailers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday… ‘This is the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to beneficiaries,’ CMS said. ‘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.’” [Axios, 2/3/22]
The Hill: Medicare To Pay For At-Home Covid-19 Tests This Spring. “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday announced a new initiative that will allow Medicare beneficiaries and people with Medicare Advantage plans to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free at participating pharmacies and retailers, beginning ‘in the early spring.’” [The Hill, 2/3/22]
Bloomberg Law: Medicare Will Cover Home Covid-19 Tests At No Charge In Spring. “The new initiative will allow Medicare to directly pay participating pharmacies and other entities for over-the-counter tests approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.” [Bloomberg Law, 2/3/22]
Boston Globe: Medicare Now Covers Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests. “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Medicare will cover up to eight free tests per month, starting in early spring. The tests will be handed out at participating pharmacies and other locations. They’ll be available to people who have Medicare’s “Part B” outpatient benefit, which about 9 in 10 enrollees sign up for.” [Boston Globe, 2/3/22]
CNN: Medicare Expects To Start Paying For Home Covid-19 Tests This Spring. “The shift means that Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees will be able to pick up home tests at no cost. The agency will release a list of participating pharmacies and retailers when coverage begins. Like those with private insurance, Medicare enrollees will not need to visit their doctors or get prescriptions to obtain the free tests. They will be able to get up to eight tests per covered individual per month.” [CNN, 2/3/22]
CNBC: Medicare To Start Covering The Cost Of At-Home Covid Tests In The Spring. “Medicare beneficiaries will be able to get free at-home Covid tests beginning early this spring, the government announced Thursday. The initiative comes after Medicare was not part of a Biden administration mandate that private insurers cover the cost of over-the-counter tests — up to eight per month per enrollee. The planned change in coverage means all Medicare beneficiaries — including those on Advantage Plans — will be entitled to the same benefit.” [CNBC, 2/3/22]
AP: Medicare Opens Up Access To Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests. “The Biden administration, seeking to fill a frustrating gap in COVID-19 testing coverage, announced on Thursday that people with Medicare will be able to get free over-the-counter tests much more easily in the coming weeks… Medicare also will continue to cover the more precise lab-based PCR tests at no cost, but those must be ordered by a clinician or an authorized health care professional.” [AP, 2/3/22]
Reuters: U.S. To Cover Cost Of Over-The-Counter COVID Tests Through Medicare. “Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free.” [Reuters, 2/3/22]