About 60 million Americans enrolled in Medicare can now get up to eight free at-home coronavirus tests per month from pharmacies or health care providers to expand testing access.
Medicare will begin paying pharmacies or health care providers to provide up to eight tests per month “for the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency,” the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a statement Monday.
The policy applies to people enrolled in Medicare Part B, including those who have a Medicare Advantage plan, the statement said.
In January, the Biden administration asked private insurers to offer eight free home tests per member per month. It said it would add Medicare to that program in February, but free trials didn’t start until Monday.
“This initiative will greatly improve access to testing for Americans who are most vulnerable to Covid-19,” said Dr. Meena Seshamani, the director of the Center for Medicare, in the statement.
The vast majority of Americans covered by Medicare are age 65 and older or younger with disabilities.
Experts have said testing is crucial to monitor the course of the coronavirus and ensure people can isolate or seek treatment early.
This was the first time Medicare offered free over-the-counter testing, the statement said. A box of two tests typically costs around $20.
Medicare enrollments can pick up their tests from pharmacies at these stores: Albertsons, Costco, CVS, Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford, HEB, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Walmart.
In addition to the free Medicare tests, participants can order four free tests to take at home through covidtests.gov. Each household can place up to two orders.
Noah Weiland contributed reporting.