Medicare enrollees are now eligible to receive free COVID-19 home tests every month from drugstores.
The program, which rolled out on Monday, will allow more than 59 million Medicare Part B recipients to receive up to eight free tests monthly from Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, and several other participating pharmacies. The free test program is open to any pharmacy that pays Medicare for ambulatory services. For each COVID test, Medicare will reimburse pharmacists up to $12 or $24 for a dual testing kit.
Dr. Meena Seshamani, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deputy administrator, says that the first of its kind program is a testament to the urgent need for access during the ongoing pandemic.
In January, the Biden administration ordered all private health insurers to cover the expenses of monthly home tests. The move initially excluded Medicare. However, that decision was reversed in February.
Americans who do not have Medicare can still receive two sets of four at-home COVID-19 testing kits through the government-run website, CovidTests.gov.
Other participating pharmacies include Albertsons, Costco, Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford, H-E-B Pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Kroger Family, and Shop & Stop. Medicare has confirmed that additional pharmacies will be enrolling in the program. Recipients are encouraged to call their local pharmacy to verify their participation.
