Medicare Will Now Cover COVID-19 Testing for Nursing Home Residents

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed Medicare Administrative Contactors and notified Medicare Advantage plans to cover COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory tests for nursing home residents and patients. This news comes on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent update of COVID-19 testing guidelines for nursing homes that provides recommendations for testing residents and patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, as well as for asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to the virus. Additionally, original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans will cover COVID-19 lab tests consistent with CDC guidelines.

Medicare Advantage plans must also continue to not charge for cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) or apply prior authorization or other utilization management requirements for COVID-19 tests and testing-related services. You can read more about how this news will affect Medicare Advantage plans here.

Click here for more information about Medicare coverage for COVID-19 testing.