04/11/2022
On Monday April 4th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that, effective immediately, Medicare recipients can receive up to 8 over-the-counter at home COVID-19 test kits at no cost. The free test kits had already been available to the rest of the population covered by insurance, except those on Medicare.
The free test kits are available per calendar month. If you receive kits in April, you will be eligible to receive additional kits starting May 1. When picking up the kits, simply show your Medicare card, and the pharmacy will bill Medicare directly. You do not have to make the purchase and then seek reimbursement. Purchases made prior to the April 4 announcement are not eligible for reimbursement.
National pharmacy chains participating in this initiative include: Albertsons Companies, Inc., Costco Pharmacy, CVS, Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Pharmacies, H-E-B Pharmacy, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Kroger Family of Pharmacies, Rite Aid Corp., Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Walmart. Other local pharmacies may also be participating, so just check ahead of time. Also, you do not need to be a current customer to receive the kits at a participating pharmacy.
Remember, Medicare is covering up to 8 tests per calendar month. If you purchase more than 8 tests, you are responsible for the cost of the extra tests. Some test kits are packaged with more than one in a box.
