Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Test Kits Are Now FREE for Medicare Beneficiaries

April 8, 2022

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) rolled out its initiative on April 4 that will allow Medicare beneficiaries (including Medicare Advantage plan participants) to obtain eight free over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits per month.

The test kits are available through eligible pharmacies and other participating entities for the duration of the public health emergency.

This is the first time Medicare has covered an over-the-counter self-administered test at no cost to beneficiaries. Medicare will pay the pharmacies and the other entities directly.

These available test kits are in addition to the two sets of four free at-home COVID-19 tests Americans can order from www.covidtests.gov.

Learn more with Medicare’s Fact Sheet.

Questions? Please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.