Insurance Coverage and COVID-19

Requirements that Medicare and private health insurance plans cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month at no cost will end with the public health emergency. Medicare will still cover laboratory COVID-19 tests (like PCR tests) at no cost. For individuals with private health insurance, coverage and costs for both laboratory and at-home testing will depend on your individual plan. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will continue to cover COVID-19 testing (including at-home testing) through September 2024. 

Treatment for COVID-19 could include doctors' visits, hospitalizations, prescription medications and other medical services. Coverage for and the cost of these services will depend on your individual health insurance plan. State Medicaid and CHIP plans must cover COVID-19 treatments without cost-sharing through September 2024.

Access to COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost will generally not change with the end of the public health emergency. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine is available at no cost to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Vaccine providers may ask for insurance information so they can seek reimbursement for vaccine administration costs.

The federal government is currently still covering the cost of COVID-19 vaccines for all patients, regardless of insurance status. However, you will have to pay out of pocket for COVID-19 testing and treatment.

COVID-19 has made access to quality and affordable healthcare more important than ever. If you are uninsured and looking to enroll in healthcare coverage, check out our guide to see what options are available and help you through the enrollment process. Most people qualify for financial assistance.