COVID-19 testing and coverage

Important updates

  • Member Cost-Sharing Update: If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, the Internal Revenue Service requires COVID-19 testing and treatment to apply to the deductible starting with your plan’s 2024 coverage anniversary date. If your coverage anniversary date was January 1, 2024, this requirement will take effect January 1, 2025. Please see below for details. 
  • Coverage Update: Over-the-counter, at-home tests are no longer covered as of May 12, 2023.The federal public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. 

Get at-home or in-person COVID-19 tests

Free COVID-19 tests

There are several federal and state programs for free COVID-19 testing.

Visit www.covidtests.gov to learn about options for low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests from the federal government.

Free at-home rapid tests may also be available at community health centers and Medicare-certified rural health clinics. Find a health center.

There may also be state and local programs in place for free COVID-19 testing, as well. In addition to the state resources listed here, look to your local board of health or your city or town website for more information.

In-person COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 treatment

We cover in-person PCR (polymerase chain reaction), antigen and antibody laboratory testing and COVID-19 treatment consistent with federal and state guidance.

The end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023 and recent IRS guidance may impact member cost sharing for COVID-19 PCR, antigen and antibody tests and Covid-19 treatment. Please review coverage information.

COVID-19 coverage must be medically necessary, as determined by a health care provider, under current CDC and state public health department guidelines.

COVID-19 PCR tests that are laboratory processed and either conducted in person or at home must be ordered or referred by a provider to be covered benefits. We will not cover or reimburse you for these tests when you order them yourself, including when you order using an online self-completed questionnaire. Testing is not covered solely for general workplace health and safety, public health surveillance or for other purposes not primarily intended for a member’s individual COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment. Diagnostic coronavirus testing required as a condition of travel inside or outside of the United States is not covered.

Diagnostic testing required by your provider for surgical or other medical procedures is medically necessary and covered, including if you are pregnant or an expectant parent and testing is required before admittance to a delivery facility.  As always, coverage is only available to health plan members.

Updates to our current COVID-19 testing and treatment policies will be published on this site as they become available.

Over the counter, at-home COVID-19 tests

Update: The federal COVID-19 public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. Effective May 12, 2023, over the counter, at-home COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered under the pharmacy or medical benefit.

Commercial Members

When purchased between January 15, 2022 through May 11, 2023*, and when submitted within one year of purchase, we will cover the cost of up to eight over the counter, at-home COVID-19 tests per member, per month as further described below. We will pay only for tests that are approved by or granted emergency use authorization by the FDA, are intended for individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19 (not for resale) and are not for employment purposes. 

View a list of eligible tests.

  • Commercial HMO, PPO or POS members who purchased at-home tests out-of-pocket can submit an online reimbursement form through OptumRx, our pharmacy benefit manager. Please see the form for instructions.

*Please note, self-insured employer groups may choose to administer this benefit through their pharmacy benefit manager. Members of self-insured groups should follow up with their employer to confirm their coverage options.

Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Enhance members

Medicare coverage of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests ended on May 12, 2023.  

Free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests may be ordered from the federal government. Visit www.covidtests.gov to place your order and to learn about options for low- or no-cost COVID–19 tests.  

Last Update: January 29, 2024