Key takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers COVID-19 tests when conducted in laboratories. Part A may cover lab tests if needed in hospital or skilled nursing facility settings.
- Since 2023, Medicare has no longer covered at-home COVID-19 test kits, as Part B typically only covers clinically necessary diagnostic laboratory tests.
- In 2025, after meeting the annual Part B deductible of $257, Medicare will cover 80% of covered laboratory tests.
COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Original Medicare’s Part B covers COVID tests to detect the virus when a person receives them in a laboratory.
In addition, Part A may cover lab tests for COVID-19 if needed in a hospital or skilled nursing facility setting. However, since 2023, Medicare has not covered at-home COVID test kits.
Between April 4, 2022, and May 11, 2023, Medicare Part B and Part C covered up to 8 over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests for enrolled individuals as part of a temporary demonstration of OTC COVID-19 testing.
During this period, Medicare beneficiaries could obtain these tests at no cost from participating providers. Since the demonstration ended, Part B no longer includes coverage for at-home tests. This is because, typically, Part B only covers clinically necessary diagnostic laboratory tests.
Any Medicare beneficiary who shows symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested for the virus under Medicare Part B.
To qualify for Medicare, a person must be age 65 or older or younger and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
However, any laboratory or clinic a person goes to for testing must contract with Medicare and must administer a test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These
In 2025, after individuals meet the annual Part B deductible of $257, Part B will cover 80% of any covered treatment or service. This includes laboratory tests. Additionally, a person must pay a monthly premium, which starts at $185, depending on the person’s income.
If a person receives a COVID test while in the hospital, Part A will cover the test if they’ve met the $1,676 deductible. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A.
However, private insurers manage Part C plans, which means their premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance vary depending on the specific plan. A person still has to pay the Part B premium to be enrolled in a Part C plan, although some Part C plans may cover this cost.