Some insurance companies are charging an upfront cost to get COVID-19 tests
Privately insured Americans no longer have to pay for home COVID-19 tests following the Biden Administration rule that took effect last week. Every insurance company is running this program differently. Some insurance companies are having the members purchase the test first then file for reimbursement.
Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Shield of California, Care First, Cigna, CVS Group and Kaiser Permanente all are working off of a reimbursement program to meet the rules requirements. This is according to a new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation which is a nonprofit organization focused on the nations health topics. The organization is more commonly known as KFF.
The Process for reimbursement vary but typically requires enrollees to save their receipt and in some cases even the packaging then fill out a claim form. When filling out the claim members can either fill out a claim form online or send it in the mail. In some instances it is still unclear whether how long it will take long to receive reimbursement.
Also unclear is whether consumers will run into snags and glitches as they navigate the test reimbursement process, particularly if they lack access to the internet or a printer.
“If someone doesn’t have a printer, it will be more challenging to print out a reimbursement form. They also have to keep track of receipts and the bar code on the box in some cases,” Dawson said A spokesperson for the KFF.
Six of the nation’s largest private insurers allow enrollees to obtain rapid at-home COVID-19 tests from in network retailers for free at the point of purchase, according to KFF analysis. They include Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Centene, Ambetter, Health Care Service Corporation, Guidewell (Florida Blue), Humana and UnitedHealth Group commercial plan.
