The Biden administration announced that insurance providers would be required to reimburse consumers for the cost of rapid COVID-19 tests. This comes in direct response to the proliferation of COVID-19 cases across America. With COVID-19 infection rates continuing to climb, the administration has taken action to help curb the spread of this potentially fatal disease and has made it very clear that rapid COVID-19 tests have been a major factor contributing to the containment of the virus.
Many of the early symptoms of COVID-19 are identical to those of many other common diseases, including the flu. Many people who first began showing symptoms simply assumed they had contracted one of these more common viruses and failed to take the proper action quickly enough. However, as news spread about the dangers associated with this new disease, some people rushed to get rapid COVID-19 tests in an attempt to find out whether or not they were infected. Many insurance providers refused to cover the cost of these tests, giving people no choice but to foot the bill themselves.
Who is eligible? Is the reimbursement only available for private insurance or public insurance as well?
In accordance with the new rule, only privately-insured Americans are eligible to get reimbursement for rapid tests. The reimbursement is not available to those covered by public insurance such as Medicare, and the uninsured.
How to get reimbursed for covid tests in Rhode Island?
Please note that each insurance company will have its own rules and process for reimbursement. Make sure you contact your insurance provider to learn more about how to get reimbursed for Covid-19 tests in Rhode Island. Here’s the list of the private insurers in Rhode Island:
1) Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
If you are insured by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, to get reimbursed, all you have to do is download this form and mail it to the address given on the form. You need to include a receipt along with the form. Please note that you need to get the test from the list of BCRSRI’s preferred retailers.
2) Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization, Inc.
The members of the Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization, Inc. can get reimbursement for the at-home tests purchased from a preferred retailer by filling out a form and mailing them copies of receipts. The form comes with specific instructions that you need to follow.
3) United Healthcare Services, Inc.
In order to get reimbursement from United Healthcare Services, Inc. you need to get the rapid Covid-19 test from a preferred retailer. All you have to do is show your member ID card. So, make sure you get your rapid Covid-19 test from the list of their preferred retailers.
Additionally, you may apply for reimbursement online at myuhc.com by submitting a receipt or by filling out a reimbursement form.
4) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
If you are insured by the Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, you can get reimbursed for the rapid COVID-19 tests by downloading the COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Test Kit Claim Form and submitting it by mail or fax by following the instructions on the form.
How many tests will be covered?
The Biden Administration has announced that a total of eight tests per month is covered, or two tests a week per individual. So, if you are a family of four, you can get reimbursed for a total of 32 tests in a month.
What’s the max amount will I be reimbursed for at-home covid tests?
It depends. With the guidance from the Biden administration, private insurers are encouraged to create a network of preferred retailers where the COVID-19 tests would be made available to members for free. Instead of the customers, insurers would directly for the cost of the test. So, if you do decide to go with a preferred retailer, the cost of the test would be refunded.
Are tests purchased before January 15th covered?
COVID-19 rapid tests purchased before January 15th are not covered. Only tests purchased on or after January 15 are eligible for reimbursement, the administration said. Some insurance companies may choose to reimburse the expenses of previously purchased at-home tests, but they will not be required to do so.
What kind of tests are covered for reimbursement?
The new program provides coverage for all FDA-approved over-the-counter COVID-19 testing, including tests by Abbott’s BinaxNow at-home test, Quidel’s QuickVue antigen test, and OraSure’s InteliSwab rapid test. It does not cover viral load testing, throat culture tests, or COVID-19 RNA tests that require laboratory analysis.
How much time do I have to get reimbursed?
The new administration rule is effective immediately. Under the new rules, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of COVID-19 rapid tests starting on January 15, 2022.
Where can I buy them?
It is difficult to find rapid COVID-19 tests in the U.S. as of now. Due to the huge demand, distributors and retailers can’t keep up with supply. In some states, rapid tests are not as readily available as in others. There are only a few rapid tests available online and in physical locations.
Will I automatically be reimbursed for the full amount of the tests?
As discussed before, it depends. There’s a network of preferred retailers that should provide the tests to insured customers for free. In such cases, insurers would directly reimburse the cost of the test to the retailers, so you basically get them for free.
Which Rhode Island insurance plans offer covid-19 test reimbursement?
Please note that the list below is not exhaustive. It only contains information about the most popular insurance providers in Rhode Island. If you are interested, you should contact your insurer for more information on the reimbursement for COVID-19 rapid tests. Here’s the list of the private insurers in Rhode Island:
1) Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
2) Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization, Inc.
3) United Healthcare Services, Inc.
4) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
Will the CDC reimburse for COVID-19 tests?
Currently, the CDC is not involved in providing coverage for the rapid COVID-19 tests. However, many insurers are finding ways to work with the new CDC guidelines. Again, it depends on your insurance company and it is best to check with your insurer.
