Insurers are now required by federal law to cover the purchase of eight COVID-19 tests per person, per month.
At-home tests are often hard to find and can cost up to $12 per single test. Consumers who find the tests will need to save the box and the receipt to get reimbursement. The rule went into effect on January 15th.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox said, “Depending on the insurer, consumers may be able to get their covered tests for free at the store or pharmacy, or they may be required to keep receipts for later reimbursement.”
Health insurers must cover the cost of the tests through preferred networks of pharmacies and retailers or through reimbursement. Medicaid and MIChild recipients have coverage as well. Uninsured people can get testing for free at some community health centers.
In addition to the insurance coverage, the federal government is providing one billion free at-home tests that can be ordered beginning January 19th through the website COVIDTests.gov. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Four tests per address are allowed with the federal program.
Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland
