"We are committed to protecting patients from unnecessary costs, while ensuring they receive the care they need, when they need it."Īetna told CNN that it did not have any details to share. "As COVID-19 becomes endemic, each Blue Cross and Blue Shield company is looking at how best to support access to diagnostic testing for COVID-19, just as is done for all other diagnostic testing," said David Merritt, senior vice president of policy and advocacy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Moving into the next phase, coverage may include "reasonable limits" on tests. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association told CNN that it's evaluating the best way to keep members informed of changes. So far, details on those plans are scarce. The federal government has encouraged continued coverage, but each company will ultimately be able to make their own decision. Private insurers will no longer be required to cover the costs of testing. Once the public health emergency ends, COVID-19 tests - both home tests and laboratory tests - will be subject to cost sharing, in which costs of services are divided between the patient and their insurance plan. "It's critical that people have the ability to test and then isolate or stay at home if they test positive." What will change after May 11? "People should go out and ensure that they have tests available, because what we know about COVID is it's quite pernicious, and clearly, people can get it more than once," said Mara Aspinall, a professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions and a testing and diagnostics expert. Check the agency's website before throwing them out. Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration date for many home tests beyond what is printed on the box. The site is still up and running, with four free tests available to any household that hasn't ordered since December.Īlso, the U.S. The Biden administration launched in January 2022 to allow US households to order free test kits to be delivered to home. Packs of home tests can be found at pharmacies and other local retailers, and costs may be covered upfront or reimbursed by insurance plans. There are still ways to take advantage of the benefits provided by the public health emergency before it expires May 11.įor the past two years, the federal government has required private insurance companies to cover up to eight COVID-19 tests each month. Questions remain about exactly what those coverage changes will look like, but the guarantee of free testing will be lost for many - and some costs may shift to become out-of-pocket. COVID-19 public health emergency ends this month, coronavirus tests will still be available, but there will be changes to who pays for them.
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