U.S. To Cover Cost Of Over-The-Counter COVID Tests Through Medicare

Feb 3 (Reuters) – People enrolled in the U.S. government’s Medicare program can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free starting early spring, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said on Thursday.

The Biden administration laid out plans last month that require private insurance companies to cover the cost of eight over-the-counter at-home tests per person each month, following a surge in infections due to the Omicron variant.

However, the policy did not apply to Medicare beneficiaries.

Under the new coverage plan announced on Thursday, Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free.

Medicare is a federal program that provides healthcare payment coverage for people aged 65 and older, and younger people with permanent kidney failure. (Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)