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Winter in California began with foggy mornings, rainy nights, and plans for holiday dinners with family and friends. And just like in recent winters, we’re also seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections across the state, even though testing sites are less flexible and readily available.
In November, around 6% of the COVID-19 tests administered in California came back positive. By the start of December, that number reached 8%, according to the latest public health data. The rate of positive COVID-19 tests has gone up every winter since the start of the pandemic. In January 2022, the infection rate surpassed 20%, partly due to the spread of the powerful Omicron variant. During that time, one out of every five tests administered in the state came back positive.
Even if you’re vaccinated and vaccinated, it’s quite common to still feel worried about COVID-19, especially if you’re making plans to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season. On Nov. 30, public health officials in all nine Bay Area counties released a list of recommendations to avoid respiratory infections (COVID-19, RSV, and flu) during the holidays. Among those recommendations: stock up on at-home COVID-19 tests.
The federal government continues to distribute 4 free COVID-19 tests to each and every household. But for many families, four tests might not be enough, especially as the peak season for COVID-19 infections lasts for several months. However, many insurance corporations in California will still reimburse you for at-home tests you purchase at a store or pharmacy.
The process of reimbursing for at-home COVID-19 tests has changed in the past couple of months, as the state no longer requires insurers to reimburse at-home tests. KQED reached out to every major health insurance company in California to learn what they’re doing and what members need to know.
In early 2022, the federal government required insurers to reimburse their members for up to 8 at-home COVID-19 tests per month. This federal rule lasted for more than a year and ended in May 2023; however, in California, state officials extended it for six months, until November 11.
Nov. 11 has passed, and insurance companies are no longer required to reimburse the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests. However, some insurers still cover the cost of at-home tests, but impose restrictions on where to administer them. For example, some insurers have created networks of stores and pharmacies where members can test at no charge.
Each insurance company does this differently, so make sure you know what’s available for you according to your plan before buying a test.
Kaiser Permanente
Before Nov. 11, Kaiser Permanente members could buy at-home tests from any pharmacy or store and get reimbursed by completing a form. That process is no longer in place. Kaiser Permanente told KQED: “ If members get a COVID-19 vaccine, testing, or drug therapy outside of Kaiser Permanente after Nov. 11, they’ll be responsible for cost-sharing.”
However, members can get up to 8 at-home tests per month at a discounted price when they visit a Kaiser Permanente pharmacy or place orders online, by adding them through the Member Services website, kp. org. It should be noted that those tests are not free, but the insurer adds that members “may be entitled to reimbursement, depending on their plan. “
The eight monthly tests are available to each member, regardless of age. So if you, your spouse and two children are all covered by Kaiser Permanente, you can order up to 32 home tests each month through kp.org.
California Blue Shield
Blue Shield continues to fully reimburse policyholders for the cost of up to 8 at-home tests each month. “Nothing regarding in-home COVID-19 testing has changed since Nov. 12,” the insurer told KQED.
Members can also buy home tests from anywhere. Unlike other insurance companies, Blue Shield does not have a network of preferred home test brands or providers. Once a member purchases their tests, they must complete a reimbursement claim form and mail it to Blue Shield.
Please note that Blue Shield will only cover the fee for up to 8 checks per month, maximum. You will be refunded the ninth check if you receive nine checks in a month. And if you want to write a COVID-19 check according to son, for that, you’ll need to go to an in-network provider to have the check charge covered.
Blue Cross Hymn
KQED reached out multiple times to Anthem Blue Cross and has yet to receive a response. However, on its website, the insurance company tells its members that since the end of the federal health emergency, “new purchases of over-the-counter tests are no longer reimbursed by your health plan.”
KQED will update this segment once a reaction arrives from Anthem Blue Cross.
Etna
Aetna continues to meet the need for up to 8 at-home COVID-19 tests per month. This includes members with Aetna coverage through their employer and those on Medi-Cal.
To receive a refund, policyholders will need to log in to Aetna’s online member page with their insurance plan credentials. Once they are logged in, click “Submit a refund request. ” You will then see an electronic form that requests secure information and adds the location and date of your purchase and a photo or scan of the receipt to determine your purchase.
UnitedHealthcare and Cigna
KQED reached out to UnitedHealthcare and Cigna but got a reaction from the insurer’s media teams. We will update this story once we have new information.
Remember, your health insurance does not need to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government online. Learn more about how to order four free trials under the residential agreement through USPS.
If you or someone in your network doesn’t have access to the web to request those free trials, USPS says you can contact its hotline by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Also be prepared for potentially long wait times through this helpline.
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