Medicare covers COVID-19 test kits you use at home, with no cost to you

Medicare Part B covers over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits at no charge. You can get up to eight kits per month through a pharmacy or by mail order. The kits must be FDA-authorized, and you show your Medicare card to get them — there is no separate claim to file.

This coverage applies whether you have Original Medicare (Part A and B) or Medicare Advantage. If you use Medicare Advantage, check with your plan first, since some plans may have different rules about where you pick up kits or how many they cover per month.

The kits covered are the ones you use yourself at home, not tests done in a doctor's office or lab. If a doctor orders a test as part of your care, that follows different rules and is billed separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B pays for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits with no out-of-pocket cost, up to eight kits per month.
  • You pick up kits at a pharmacy by showing your Medicare card, or order them by mail through a Medicare-approved supplier.
  • The kits must be FDA-authorized, and you do not need a doctor's order to get them.
  • If you have Medicare Advantage, contact your plan to confirm their specific coverage rules before you shop.
  • Tests ordered by a doctor in a medical setting are covered separately and do not count toward your eight-kit monthly limit.

Where to pick up or order COVID-19 test kits

You can get kits at most major pharmacies by showing your Medicare card at the counter. Pharmacies that stock them include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and many local independent pharmacies. Ask the pharmacist whether they have FDA-authorized kits in stock and confirm they accept Medicare for this coverage.

If you prefer to order by mail, you can request kits through a Medicare-approved supplier. Medicare's official website lists approved suppliers, or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask for a list of suppliers in your area. Mail orders typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

Some people find it faster to pick up kits in person at a pharmacy rather than wait for mail delivery. Others prefer mail order if they have mobility challenges or live far from a pharmacy. Both routes are covered at no cost.

How many kits you can get and how often

Medicare covers up to eight test kits per month. This means you can get eight kits in one trip, or spread them across multiple trips throughout the month — whichever works for you. Once you reach eight in a calendar month, you cannot get more until the next month begins.

The eight-kit limit resets on the first day of each month. If you use all eight in the first week of January, you will have to wait until February 1 to get more through Medicare coverage.

If you need more than eight kits in a month, you can buy additional ones out of pocket. Some people do this if they have frequent symptoms or live with someone who tests positive and they want to test daily.

What happens if your pharmacy or supplier does not accept Medicare for this

Some pharmacies and suppliers have not set up the billing process to accept Medicare for COVID-19 test kits, even though Medicare covers them. If a pharmacy tells you they cannot bill Medicare, ask to speak with the manager or the pharmacy's billing department — they may be able to process it.

If a pharmacy still cannot bill Medicare, try another pharmacy in your area. Most major chains and many independent pharmacies do accept Medicare for this coverage. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to find a supplier near you that is set up to bill Medicare.

Do not pay out of pocket and then try to get reimbursed — Medicare does not work that way for test kits. The coverage only works if the pharmacy or supplier bills Medicare at the time you get the kits.

Medicare Advantage and COVID-19 test kit coverage

If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), your plan must cover COVID-19 test kits at no cost, just like Original Medicare does. However, your plan may have different rules about where you can pick them up or how the coverage works.

Some Medicare Advantage plans require you to use specific pharmacies or suppliers. Others may have a different monthly limit, though this is less common. Call your plan's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask: "Where can I get COVID-19 test kits covered under my plan, and how many per month?"

Your plan should be able to tell you in one call which pharmacies or suppliers they work with and whether there are any steps you need to take before you shop.

Tests ordered by a doctor versus kits you buy yourself

There is a difference between a COVID-19 test your doctor orders and a test kit you pick up at a pharmacy. If your doctor orders a test because you have symptoms or were exposed, that test is covered under Medicare Part B as a medical service. Your doctor's office or a lab bills Medicare directly.

The eight-kit monthly limit applies only to over-the-counter kits you get yourself. A test ordered by your doctor does not count toward that limit and is covered separately.

If you have symptoms and want to test at home first, you can use one of your eight kits. If the result is positive or you want a confirmed result, you can then ask your doctor to order an official test.

What to do if you cannot find kits or have other problems

If you have tried multiple pharmacies and cannot find kits, or if a pharmacy says they cannot bill Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Medicare's customer service team can help you locate a supplier in your area and answer questions about your specific coverage.

If you have Medicare Advantage and your plan is not covering kits the way you expected, call your plan's customer service number first. If your plan cannot resolve it, you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to file a complaint or ask for help.

Keep your Medicare card with you when you go to pick up kits. If a pharmacy asks for other information, you can provide your Medicare number, which is on your card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor's order to get free test kits from Medicare?

No. You can walk into a pharmacy, show your Medicare card, and pick up kits without a doctor's order. The kits are covered as a preventive benefit, which means you do not need a medical reason to get them.

What if I have a copay or deductible for other Medicare services — do I have to pay for test kits?

No. COVID-19 test kits are covered with no copay, coinsurance, or deductible. This is true even if you have not met your Part B deductible for the year. You pay nothing at the pharmacy.

Can I order test kits online and have them shipped to my home?

Yes. Medicare-approved suppliers can ship kits to your home by mail. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to find approved suppliers, or search Medicare's website for a list. Mail orders usually arrive within 7 to 10 business days and are covered at no cost.

What if I test positive — can I get more than eight kits that month?

The eight-kit monthly limit applies regardless of whether you test positive. If you need more kits after testing positive, you would have to buy them out of pocket. Some people in this situation ask their doctor to order additional tests through the medical system instead.

Do I have to use a specific brand of test kit?

No. Any FDA-authorized COVID-19 test kit is covered. Different brands are available at different pharmacies. Ask the pharmacist which FDA-authorized kits they have in stock, and you can choose based on what is available.