Beginning July 6, both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans will cover diagnostic COVID-19 laboratory tests for nursing home residents and patients through the remainder of the public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended testing all nursing home residents and patients with COVID-19 symptoms or potential exposure. MA plans must continue not to charge cost sharing (including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance) or apply prior authorization or other utilization management requirements for COVID-19 tests and testing-related services, CMS notes.

Related News Articles

Headline
A KFF analysis released Jan. 28 found that Medicare Advantage insurers made nearly 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024, an increase…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 26 released proposed changes to Medicare Advantage plan capitation rates and Part D payment policies for…
Headline
The AHA Jan. 26 expressed support and provided its perspective on certain provisions within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed…
Headline
The AHA Jan. 20 made recommendations to Congress on modernizing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Among the proposals, the AHA recommended…
Headline
The comment period for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule for policies governing the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for…
Headline
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Jan. 15 voted to recommend that Congress update Medicare payment rates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services…