How to Get Reimbursed for Covid Testing at Home – Forbes Advisors

With Covid-19 cases expected to spike this winter, now is the time to stock up on free home testing.

The federal free at-home Covid testing program was suspended in September, but there are still ways to get a free Covid-19 test. Americans with private health insurance can be reimbursed by their insurance company for up to eight tests per month for themselves and each person on the plan.

Coverage of Stay-at-Home Coverage Policy

Insurers and group health plans will have to cover the cost of over-the-counter at-home Covid-19 tests from early 2022.

Exam reimbursement is available for those with private, employer-sponsored, or student health insurance. Medicare Part B also covers up to eight free at-home Covid-19 tests for him each month and will continue to cover costs until a public health emergency is declared by the Department of Health and Human Services. . Medicaid coverage rules vary by state.

Americans with private health insurance can get tested for free online or at some pharmacies and retail stores by showing proof of insurance. Alternatively, you can purchase a test kit and request a refund.

If you got your Covid booster at a particular pharmacy, they may ask if you would like to order a free test and receive it when you book your booster.

This policy covers only commercially available Covid-19 tests approved and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The insurer has to pay for eight tests per month per insured person. For example, a family of four can request 32 tests for her. You don’t need a doctor’s order to qualify. Also, tests ordered by a healthcare provider, such as those with underlying medical conditions, are not eligible for reimbursement limits.

If your insurance company offers a way for covered individuals to get tested at no cost (such as through a preferred pharmacy or retailer), that’s the best option for getting test kits for free.

Otherwise, you will have to purchase a test and then submit a claim to your insurance company. If your insurance company has a process to purchase tests with no upfront costs, you only need a $12 reimbursement per test. If not, it should cover the full cost of testing, even if it’s $12 or more.

Each test is counted separately, even if multiple tests are sold in one package. For example, a package of two tests may qualify for a maximum refund of $24.

Here’s what you need to know about the refund policies of the 5 biggest health insurance companies.

Aetna Home Covid Test Refund

Refund details: If you have health insurance through Aetna, your insurance company has an easy-to-navigate page detailing their refund policies.

What it covers: Aetna is part of CVS Health, which owns a pharmacy chain, but there is no mention of a pharmacy or retailer suitable for testing. Lab-based PCR home collection kits are exempt from our refund policy.

How to get your refund: According to Aetna, members with pharmacy benefits can submit reimbursement claims through the Aetna member website. After logging into your account, select Learn more about test kits and reimbursement for more information. Only tests purchased after January 15, 2022 are eligible for a refund.

note: Aetna stipulates that “tests must be used to diagnose possible Covid-19 infection,” and tests used for employment, school, or recreational purposes are not eligible for reimbursement.

Company information: Insured persons can contact the company in a number of ways for details on how to obtain reimbursement for at-home Covid-19 testing.

UnitedHealthcare Home Covid Test Refunds

Refund details: If you have health insurance through UnitedHealthcare, your insurance company will provide a FAQ page that provides some details on how to cover the cost of home testing.

What is Covered: Specific benefits related to home Covid test reimbursement depend on your specific health insurance plan and how your employer chooses to administer your benefits. The Frequently Asked Questions page advises registrants to sign in to myuhc.com to learn more about specific benefits.

How to get your refund: Please sign in to your online account for more information on how to submit a reimbursement claim.

note: Members may submit claims for up to 8 kits per insured person every 30 days.

Company information: UnitedHealthcare’s FAQ page is vague. There are various ways for the insured to contact the company if they have further questions.

Anthem Home Covid Test Refund

Refund details: If you have health insurance through Anthem, your insurance company has a simple page explaining how their refund policy works.

Eligible for: Certain Anthem members may be able to order home diagnostic test kits through their insurer’s Sydney Health app or online. If you are eligible, you will see this option after logging in. Otherwise, Anthem members can purchase a test kit from a pharmacy or retail store and submit a refund request. Anthem doesn’t mention options for getting tested at no upfront cost through preferred pharmacies or retailers.

How to get your refund: If you are not included in the limited number of Anthem members who can order the test online, you will need to pay for the kit and submit a refund request. A copy of your receipt is required to submit your claim online through Anthem’s member portal on her website.

note: Anthem continues to encourage members to use Covid-19 in-person diagnostic test centers and provides members with a test site finder.

Company information: Insured persons have several ways to contact the company for more information regarding at-home Covid test reimbursement.

Cigna Home Covid Test Refund

Refund details: If you have health insurance through Cigna, your insurance company has a simple FAQ page explaining how their refund policy works. Members can submit refund requests online by logging into their account.

Eligible for: Cigna will provide refunds for test kits purchased by members. The Member submitting the Refund Claim acknowledges that the Test was purchased for a Member of a Covered Plan, was not reimbursed for employment purposes, was not reimbursed from another source, will not be reimbursed, and will not be resold. You may need to sign the certificate.

How to get your refund: Cigna members must submit refund requests online, by fax, or by mail. The form includes a checklist of eligible test kits. The aforementioned certificate asks for information such as a Cigna ID number. Cigna notes that certain plan providers may require additional documentation, such as her UPC code for testing.

note: Cigna said its reimbursement plan does not include a BinaxNOW test “supervised by a telemedicine supervisor.”

Company information: Insured persons can contact the company in a number of ways for details on how to obtain reimbursement for at-home Covid testing.

Kaiser Permanente Home Covid Test Refund

Refund details: If you have health insurance through Kaiser Permanente, your insurance company has a detailed Covid-19 testing page, which includes information about your refund policy.

Eligible for: Kaiser Permanente members can order 4 free home tests at once. Otherwise, members can pick up a free self-test at Kaiser Her Permanente’s pharmacy or claim a refund for a purchased test her kit.

How to get your refund: Kaiser members must request details and proof of payment online for any tests purchased. Proof of payment may include an itemized invoice with dates for services and proof of payment such as a receipt or bank statement. The insurance company has not provided details on how quickly members will receive their reimbursement.

note: In some cases, saliva home collection kits can be sent back to Kaiser Permanente for processing. The test is available to asymptomatic members who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 or who have been advised by a doctor to be tested.

Company information: Insured persons can contact the Company in a number of ways.

Other options for Covid-19 testing

The Biden administration sent free at-home Covid-19 tests to households that requested them earlier this year, but the program was suspended in September after Congress failed to provide additional funding.

With the government no longer sending free tests to Americans, using an insurance reimbursement program is the best way to get a free Covid test at home. track the duration of your test and let you know when you can order additional tests.

CVS email to Rewards members reminding them that they can now order up to 8 Covid-19 tests for free due to insurance reimbursement.

If you don’t have insurance, you’ll need to find a free or low-cost testing location. The CDC says some health centers offer testing services to eligible individuals regardless of their ability to pay and offer a sliding scale of costs based on income and family size.

Use this CDC tool to find a testing location near you.