Medicare covers COVID-19 tests at no cost to you, with no copay, coinsurance, or deductible

Medicare Part B pays for COVID-19 diagnostic tests — the ones that tell you whether you have the virus right now — when ordered by your doctor or other healthcare provider. You pay nothing out of pocket for the test itself. This coverage applies whether you get tested at a doctor's office, urgent care clinic, hospital, pharmacy, or at home using an over-the-counter test that Medicare reimburses.

The coverage does not depend on your symptoms or vaccination status. If your provider orders the test, Medicare covers it. The same is true for at-home tests: if you buy an FDA-approved COVID-19 test and your provider tells you to use it, you can submit the receipt to Medicare for reimbursement of the cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers COVID-19 diagnostic tests ordered by your healthcare provider with no cost to you.
  • You can get tested at a doctor's office, urgent care, hospital, pharmacy, or at home, and Medicare covers all of these settings.
  • At-home tests bought at a pharmacy or online can be reimbursed by Medicare if your provider ordered the test and you keep your receipt.
  • Antibody tests (which show whether you had COVID in the past) are covered only in limited situations, such as blood donation screening.
  • If you have Original Medicare and use an out-of-network provider, you may owe a portion of the cost, so ask about network status before testing.

How to get a COVID-19 test covered by Medicare

Contact your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant and tell them you want to be tested for COVID-19. They will order the test. Once ordered, you can choose where to get tested — your provider's office, a local urgent care, a hospital, a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, or at home using an over-the-counter test.

If you use an at-home test, buy an FDA-approved COVID-19 test from a pharmacy or online retailer. Take the test as instructed and keep your receipt. You can then submit the receipt to Medicare for reimbursement. Medicare will reimburse you for the cost of the test itself, though the amount varies depending on the test brand and where you bought it.

If you test at a provider's office, pharmacy, or clinic, you typically do not need to do anything — the provider bills Medicare directly and you pay nothing at the time of service.

What types of COVID-19 tests Medicare covers

Diagnostic tests are covered. These include PCR tests (the most accurate), rapid antigen tests, and at-home rapid tests. A diagnostic test tells you whether you have COVID-19 right now. Medicare covers these tests regardless of whether you have symptoms.

Antibody tests are covered only in specific situations. An antibody test shows whether you had COVID-19 in the past. Medicare covers antibody tests when they are used for blood donation screening or when ordered by your provider for a medical reason — for example, to determine whether you have immunity after vaccination or infection. Antibody tests ordered purely for your own information without a medical reason are not covered.

Screening tests (tests done on people with no symptoms and no known exposure) are covered when ordered by your provider. You do not have to be sick or exposed to the virus for Medicare to cover the test.

At-home tests and reimbursement

You can buy COVID-19 tests at drugstores, supermarkets, and online retailers. Medicare will reimburse you for FDA-approved tests if your provider ordered the test. The reimbursement amount depends on the specific test and the retailer, but Medicare typically reimburses between $10 and $15 per test.

To get reimbursed, keep your receipt showing the date of purchase, the test name, and the price. Submit the receipt to your Medicare Advantage plan (if you have one) or to the Medicare Administrative Contractor that handles claims for your state. You can find your contractor's contact information on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may have different rules for at-home test reimbursement, so check your plan documents or call your plan's customer service number to confirm the process before you buy.

Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage coverage

If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), COVID-19 tests are covered at no cost when you use a Medicare-participating provider. If you go to a provider who does not participate in Medicare, you may owe a portion of the cost. Before you get tested, ask the provider or clinic whether they accept Medicare and whether they are in-network.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage works the same way — COVID-19 tests are covered at no cost — but you must use providers in your plan's network to avoid extra charges. Some Medicare Advantage plans may require you to use specific testing locations or may have slightly different rules for at-home test reimbursement. Call your plan to confirm where you can get tested and how to submit receipts for at-home tests.

What happens if you pay out of pocket

If you pay for a COVID-19 test yourself without having your provider order it first, Medicare will not reimburse you. The key requirement is that your healthcare provider must order the test. This is true even if you buy an at-home test at a pharmacy — your provider needs to have told you to use it.

If you paid for a test and later had your provider order one, you cannot go back and get reimbursed for the test you paid for on your own. Going forward, always ask your provider to order the test before you get tested or buy a test kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have symptoms to get a COVID-19 test covered by Medicare?

No. Medicare covers COVID-19 diagnostic tests ordered by your provider whether or not you have symptoms. Your provider can order a screening test if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you are going to be around vulnerable people and want to know your status.

Can I use a rapid test from the drugstore without seeing my doctor first?

Medicare will not reimburse you for a test you buy on your own without your provider ordering it first. You need to contact your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant and ask them to order a COVID-19 test. Once they order it, you can choose where to get tested or buy an at-home test to use.

What if I have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare?

COVID-19 tests are covered at no cost under Medicare Advantage plans as well. Use providers in your plan's network to avoid extra charges. Some plans may have specific testing locations or different rules for at-home test reimbursement, so call your plan's customer service number to confirm the details.

How long does it take to get reimbursed for an at-home test?

Reimbursement timelines vary. Submit your receipt to your Medicare plan or your state's Medicare Administrative Contractor as soon as possible after you buy the test. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer during high-demand periods.

Are COVID-19 vaccines covered by Medicare?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are covered at no cost under Medicare Part B. You do not need a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. You can get vaccinated at your doctor's office, a pharmacy, a health department clinic, or a hospital.