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

Medicare Part B covers three types of COVID-19 tests: molecular tests (including PCR), antigen tests, and antibody tests. You pay nothing out of pocket when you get tested at a provider that accepts Medicare. The coverage applies whether you have symptoms or not, and whether you are getting tested before travel, before a medical procedure, or because you were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

The key is where you get tested. Tests performed at a hospital, doctor's office, urgent care clinic, or pharmacy that bills Medicare directly are free. Tests you buy over the counter and perform at home are not covered by Medicare, even if you later submit the receipt. Tests ordered through telehealth visits are covered if the provider bills Medicare for the test itself.

This coverage has no time limit and no cap on the number of tests you can receive. Medicare will continue to cover COVID-19 tests as long as the federal government maintains the public health emergency declaration, which has been extended multiple times. Once that declaration ends, coverage rules may change.

Key Takeaways

  • COVID-19 tests ordered by a doctor or performed at a medical facility that accepts Medicare are free with no copay or deductible.
  • Over-the-counter home tests you buy yourself are not covered, even if you have a doctor's order.
  • All three test types—molecular, antigen, and antibody—are covered at no cost.
  • Coverage continues as long as the federal public health emergency declaration remains in effect.
  • You can get tested as many times as medically necessary with no limit on the number of tests.

Where to get a free COVID-19 test on Medicare

Your doctor's office is the most straightforward option. Call ahead and tell them you need a COVID-19 test and that you have Medicare. They will perform the test and bill Medicare directly. You should not receive a bill.

Urgent care clinics and hospital emergency departments also perform COVID-19 tests and accept Medicare. If you go to an urgent care or ER, tell the staff you have Medicare before the test is performed so they bill the right way.

Many pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, and local independent pharmacies, offer COVID-19 tests at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries. You may need to schedule an appointment online or by phone. The pharmacy will ask for your Medicare card information and perform the test on site.

Telehealth providers can order COVID-19 tests for you. The visit itself may have a cost depending on your plan, but the test ordered through that visit should be free when performed at a participating lab or facility.

What is not covered

Over-the-counter home tests are not covered by Medicare. This includes rapid antigen tests you buy at a drugstore, even if a doctor told you to get one. If you want a free test, you must have it performed at a medical facility or ordered by a provider who will send it to a lab.

Tests performed outside the United States are not covered. If you are traveling internationally and need a test, you will pay out of pocket.

Some employers and travel companies require specific tests or specific timing. If you need a test for a reason other than medical care—such as for employment screening or international travel—Medicare may not cover it. Check with the organization requiring the test to see what they will accept.

How to avoid being billed incorrectly

Before you get tested, confirm that the facility accepts Medicare and that they will bill Medicare for the test. Ask directly: "Will this test be free on Medicare?" If the answer is unclear, ask to speak with the billing department.

Bring your Medicare card with you. The facility needs your card number to bill correctly. If you do not have your card, tell them your Medicare number (on your Social Security card or in your Medicare welcome letter) or your Social Security number.

If you receive a bill for a COVID-19 test that should have been free, do not pay it when ready. Call the facility's billing department and explain that Medicare should have covered the test at no cost. Ask them to resubmit the claim to Medicare. If they refuse or the bill persists, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Testing after the public health emergency ends

The federal government has extended the public health emergency declaration multiple times. As long as it remains in effect, COVID-19 tests are free on Medicare with no copay or deductible.

When the emergency declaration ends, Medicare coverage for COVID-19 tests will likely change. Tests may no longer be free, or coverage may be limited to certain situations (such as tests ordered by a doctor for a patient with symptoms). Medicare has not yet announced what the new rules will be, so you will want to check your Medicare materials or call 1-800-MEDICARE when you hear the emergency has ended.

Until that happens, take advantage of the free testing. There is no limit on how many tests you can receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free COVID-19 test if I do not have symptoms?

Yes. Medicare covers COVID-19 tests whether or not you have symptoms. You can get tested before travel, before a medical procedure, after exposure to someone with COVID-19, or for any other reason a doctor orders the test. The test must be ordered by a provider or performed at a medical facility that accepts Medicare.

Do I have to pay anything if I get tested at my doctor's office?

No. If your doctor's office accepts Medicare and bills Medicare for the test, you should receive no bill. If you do receive a bill, contact the office's billing department and ask them to resubmit the claim to Medicare.

What if I already paid for a COVID-19 test out of pocket?

Medicare does not reimburse for tests you have already paid for. Going forward, make sure any test you get is ordered by a provider or performed at a facility that accepts Medicare so you do not have to pay.

Can I use my Medicare Advantage plan to get a free COVID-19 test?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) must cover COVID-19 tests the same way Original Medicare does—at no cost to you. Show your Advantage plan card when you get tested, and the test should be free.

What if my state or local health department offers free testing?

Many states and cities run free testing sites open to anyone, regardless of insurance. These are another option if you cannot reach your doctor or a pharmacy. The test is free either way—through Medicare or through the public health program.