COVID-19
Home Testing Kit Info
Insurers And Plans Must Cover
At-Home Tests For COVID-19
On January 10, 2022, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury announced new guidance outlining how insurers and group health plans will be required to cover and reimburse enrollees for up to eight
at-home tests for COVID-19 per enrollee per
30-day period. This policy applies to tests purchased beginning on January 15, 2022, through the end of the declared public health emergency. See Carrier information regarding COVID at home testing and how to receive your test/reimbursement.
Missouri Carrier Information
Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
From January 15, 2022 until the end of the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency, each individual on your plan can get up to eight over-the-counter tests each month. If you purchase a test kit that includes two rapid tests, that will count as two of your eight covered tests.
How do I get reimbursed?
You will be reimbursed for over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022. You may have to pay out of pocket at the time of purchase, but keep your receipt to submit a claim online. Log in to anthem.com, go to Claims & Payment, and choose Submit a Claim.
If you have an Anthem Medicaid or Medicare plan, you will need to visit your member website for information on how your health plan covers COVID-19 testing.
CoxHealth Plan
CoxHealth did not have information on their site regarding home testing on 1/31/2022. They do have a link for testing and it appears that you would need to have a Teledoc visit and they would send a mobile testing unit out or have you come in for testing.
Ambetter
As of January 15, 2022, Ambetter Members can get COVID-19 Home Testing kits at no cost. The best way to get a testing kit is to go to one of Ambetter’s in-network pharmacies. If you purchase a testing kit outside of Ambetter’s in-network pharmacies, you will simply complete a Member Reimbursement form. The following FAQs will assist you in this process.
Ambetter is currently working with our pharmacy partners to ensure the COVID-19 tests are available at no cost if you go to an in-network pharmacy. If you purchased the at-home COVID-19 test at the pharmacy we will reimburse you for the cost of the test after you complete the member reimbursement form.
The reimbursement will be limited up to the amount set in the federal guidance ($12, or the cost of the test if less than $12, per test per covered individual) released on January 10, 2022.
If you purchased a kit prior to January 15, 2022, Ambetter will reimburse when accompanied by a physician prescription.
United Healthcare
UnitedHealthcare Individual and Employer Group health plan members: Beginning January 15, 2022, UnitedHealthcare will cover most individual and employer group health plan members’ FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, without a doctor’s prescription. This OTC at-home COVID-19 test benefit includes up to 8 tests per member every calendar month. Submit the Reimbursement Form along with the payment/sales receipt. (Must have the members name on the sales receipt).
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan members: This particular benefit does not apply to Medicare Advantage members. Learn more
Federal Government Free at Home Test Kits
Through the Federal government, each household can receive a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov.