As the health insurance provider to at-risk policyholders, Medicare has taken a number of measures to help address healthcare related to COVID-19.
Medicare Covers the COVID-19 Vaccine
Medicare is covering the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. These currently include the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
People with only Part A may need to pay an administration fee to the pharmacy or provider that administers the vaccine but will not pay for the vaccine itself.
Medicare beneficiaries with Part B will pay nothing for the COVID-19 vaccine. There are no copays or charges toward the deductible.
When you get access to the vaccine, make an appointment at your nearest distribution center and bring your Medicare card.
Medicare Covers COVID-19 Tests
Medicare covers lab tests to diagnose or rule out COVID-19. You pay nothing for the test if it is given by a laboratory, pharmacy, doctor, or hospital. In some cases, your home health nurse or a technician can perform the test at your home. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, they cannot charge you copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for lab tests to detect or diagnose COVID-19. Lab tests to diagnose related respiratory conditions may also be covered when done together with the COVID-19 test.
Medicare also covers antibody testing to find out whether you have previously had the virus. These tests will detect the presence of antibodies for the virus to indicate whether your immune system has come in contact with and developed an immune response against the virus.
Medicare Covers COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
One of the treatments that aid in recovery from COVID-19 is the infusion of COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies. Medicare Part B covers this treatment if you tested positive for COVID-19, have a mild to moderate case, and are at high risk of progressing to a severe case of COVID-19 or of needing hospitalization.
Medicare Covers Hospitalizations
Inpatient hospital care is covered by Part A. Medicare will cover medically necessary hospitalizations related to COVID-19. This includes coverage to keep you as an inpatient if you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine. You will still owe copays, deductibles, and coinsurance as normal.
Medicare Expanded Telehealth Services
Medicare beneficiaries have expanded access to telehealth services during the pandemic. They can receive coverage for evaluation and management visits, mental health counseling, and preventive health screenings without a copayment through telehealth if they have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
Telehealth involves conducting a medical appointment over the phone or using video technology to communicate with your provider in real-time, just not in person. These expanded services are to aid in social distancing efforts and help keep everyone safe while allowing you to receive your needed healthcare.
Virtual check-ins are allowing patients to communicate with their doctors or other healthcare practitioners without having to go in person. These are brief communications that do not relate to a visit within the last seven days or lead to a visit in the next 24 hours. Your doctor needs to document your verbal consent to using virtual check-ins before you can schedule one. Your usual copays, deductible, or coinsurance applies.
Providers with online patient portals can also conduct communications using the capabilities of the platform. You must consent and initiate the use of online portals to communicate with our provider.
For those without access to video technology, Medicare is allowing audio-only phone conversations to communicate with your healthcare provider.
Call us at 1-877-874-0711 today to learn more about the costs covered by Medicare.