Hope's Medics

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Getting at Home COVID-19 tests without Private Insurance

We understand that we have information for very few insurance companies right now, and it is probably really frustrating if you cannot find the information you need here. We only have one person working on this. We want to post it even if it's not done so that people can start using the information we do have now.

We recognize that people who don't have private health insurance are more likely to need to rely on free tests. Thus, providing this information is the priority. We are working state by state, program by program and hope to have more answers soon. 


Most Medicaid/Medicare Managed Care Organizations are also private insurers. However, the plans are different and have different rules. Thus, if you have Medicaid or Medicare do NOT rely on the information on any other page of this site, even if it's for your state and the company that manages your plan

Medicaid programs are legally required to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests by the American Rescue Plan. This hasn't meant that they do. Hope's Medics could use help on how to solve that. Hope's Medics has yet to check MD or VA Medicaid plans.


DC Managed Care Organizations 

  • AmeriHealth
    • Will reimburse 8 test kits a month (not per 30 days) at a rate of $12 per kit 
      • Call 202-216-2318 for reimbursement
  • CareFirst
    •  Does reimbursements "case-by-case"
      • Call for reimbursement
      • Unable to provide any information regarding reimbursement 
  • Medstar
    • Does NOT cover at-home tests. 
      • Has been informed multiple times this is out of compliance with the law 


Medicaid programs are legally required to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests by the American Rescue Plan. Hope's Medics has yet to check if they actually do.


Medicare will start covering free at-home tests sometime in early spring. Hope's Medics doesn't know when that actually means but will keep an eye out. If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan might actually might cover at-home over-the-counter tests right now, so check with your plan.  


Once all of Medicare starts covering free at-home tests 


https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free


For at-home testing, TRICARE requires that the test be both FDA-approved and ordered by a TRICARE authorized provider for a medically necessary purpose. For more information, visit this page.


The site notes that they are reviewing the latest guidance on at-home testing to identify if any changes to the policy are warranted. (last checked 1/19).


https://tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-Testing


If you live in DC or Maryland, open enrollment isn't over yet. Regardless of where you live, you can sign up for Medicare and Medicaid at any time of the year! Please feel free to contact us about help with getting insurance.

Obviously, insurance is not going to cover any COVID-19 tests for you because you don't have insurance. You can check the Overview page to find some options for free testing. 


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