[UCRDBR] At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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January 19, 2022

To:
Department Benefit Representatives
From:
HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
Effective January 15, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration requires insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of FDA approved at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests.

The following program guidelines can be found on the Health and Human Services (HHS) website<https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/01/10/biden-harris-administration-requires-insurance-companies-group-health-plans-to-cover-cost-at-home-covid-19-tests-increasing-access-free-tests.html>:

*       Health plan providers are required to cover up to 8 free at-home OTC COVID-19 tests per individual per month. There is no limit on the number of tests if tests are ordered or administered by a health care provider following an individualized clinical assessment, including those who may need the tests due to underlying medical conditions.

*       Members should keep receipts for at-home OTC COVID-19 tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, if they paid out of pocket for reimbursement.

*       Health plan providers are not required to cover the costs for tests (including at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests) required for employment purposes.

*       Further details on reimbursement for FDA approved at-home OTC COVID-19 tests can be found at the FAQ contained in the Health and Human Services (HHS) website<https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/01/10/biden-harris-administration-requires-insurance-companies-group-health-plans-to-cover-cost-at-home-covid-19-tests-increasing-access-free-tests.html>.

Free testing resources and additional information on the at-home OTC COVID-19 tests may be found in the following resources:


*       HHS.gov - Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19<https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html>

*       HRSA.gov - Expanding Access to COVID-19 Testing Supplies<https://www.hrsa.gov/coronavirus/testing-supplies>

*       CMS.gov - How to get your At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test for Free<https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free>

*       CMS.gov - FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation Part 51-pdf<https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/aca-part-51.pdf>


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