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
The AHA Sept. 29 sent recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help ensure…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Sept. 26 that average premiums for Medicare Advantage and Part D would decline slightly in 2026.…
Headline
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday announced that Olympus issued a global recall of its ViziShot 2 FLEX needles manufactured prior to May 12 following…
Headline
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Sept. 19 recommended that patients should consult their health care provider if they want to receive a COVID-…
Headline
The AHA expressed support Sept. 22 to House and Senate sponsors of the Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act (H.R. 5454/S. 2879), legislation that would apply a…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 18 released a final rule on policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage, the Medicare…