Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed the announcement that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will cover the cost of at-home, rapid Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests by early spring under traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The move comes after a recent push by Bennet and several of his colleagues calling for the change. Currently, most private insurance companies are required to cover the cost of up to eight over the counter at-home COVID-19 tests per person, per month, but the 61 million Americans enrolled in Medicare or private Medicare Advantage plans do not have this benefit.  

“This is great news for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Colorado and across the country who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19,” said Bennet. “I’m glad the Biden Administration listened to our request and will implement this change in early spring to ensure all Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees have access to free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests.” 

Under the new initiative, CMS will directly pay participating pharmacies and other participating entities to allow beneficiaries to pick up tests at no cost and without needing to be reimbursed. Medicare beneficiaries and all Coloradans can still request free, at-home COVID-19 tests for delivery now at covidtests.gov. 

Bennet is also pushing to expand TRICARE coverage of at-home COVID-19 tests for service members and their families. Currently, TRICARE beneficiaries can only receive coverage for at-home tests if they have an order or referral from a TRICARE-authorized provider.