Yes, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests and antibody tests performed by a medical professional. Medicare does not cover over-the-counter (OTC) tests.1
Let’s explore the details about Medicare and COVID-19 testing, as well as treatments, vaccines and boosters.
Here’s some information explaining the types of COVID-19 testing covered by Medicare:
Diagnostic COVID-19 tests
Diagnostic tests are the basic tests ordered by your health care provider to check if you have COVID-19. In some cases, a home health nurse, laboratory technician or appropriately trained medical assistant may collect your specimen in your home.2
Note: Some Medicare Advantage plans may charge copayments, deductibles or coinsurance for clinical lab tests to detect or diagnose COVID-19.
Antibody COVID-19 tests
Antibody (or “serology”) tests help to see if you’ve developed an immune response to COVID-19 and may not be at immediate risk of reinfection.3
If you’re on Medicare, you pay nothing for an antibody test when [Bold] both of these apply:3
- your doctor orders the test
- you get the test from a laboratory, pharmacy, clinic, doctor’s office or hospital
If you test positive for COVID-19, Medicare may help cover some of the costs of monoclonal antibody treatments and hospital stays.
Monoclonal antibody treatment
If you have mild-to-moderate symptoms, monoclonal antibody treatments can help you fight COVID-19 and potentially avoid a hospital stay. This treatment involves an infusion of monoclonal antibodies (specifically bamlanivimab, or casirivimab and imdevimab) to treat COVID-19.4
Part B covers FDA-authorized COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments and products if all of these apply:4
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- You have a mild-to-moderate case of COVID-19.
- You’re at high risk of progressing to a severe case of COVID-19 and/or at high risk of requiring hospitalization.
Hospital stays due to COVID-19
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers all medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 and were discharged after inpatient hospital care but need to stay longer under quarantine. You’ll still pay any hospital deductibles, coinsurance or copays that apply to your stay under quarantine.1
Yes, Medicare covers the updated COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots at no cost to you. Remember to bring your red, white and blue Medicare card to your appointment, even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Your healthcare provider or pharmacy will need your Medicare number to bill Medicare.1
For COVID-19 vaccine and testing information specific to Humana members, explore our COVID-19 benefits.
