Medicare to Provide Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests

The new policy for the over-the-counter tests will take effect in early spring. The at-home tests will be available at pharmacies and other locations for clients with the Medicare "Part B" outpatient benefit, which about 90 percent of enrollees have. This will be the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to recipients, the Associated Press reported.

Access to free COVID-19 rapid tests will also be available to people with Medicare Advantage, a private insurance option used by four in 10 Medicare enrollees. Those plans can already cover over-the-counter COVID-19 tests as a supplemental benefit, the AP reported.

Last month, the Biden administration told private insurers to provide up to eight free at-home tests a month for their clients. Thursday's announcement that Medicare will do the same was applauded by the AARP, an advocacy group for older people.

"AARP applauds today's announcement that will guarantee access to at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost for Medicare's 64 million beneficiaries," Nancy LeaMond, an AARP executive vice president and its chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a statement. "We know that people 65 and older are at much greater risk of serious illness and death from this disease -- they need equal access to tools that can help keep them safe."

Before Thursday's announcement, Medicare enrollees could get free at-home tests by requesting four free tests for home delivery through covidtests.gov or picking up free tests from community locations such as libraries or senior centers that distribute them. Those options will remain available while the new policy is going into effect, the AP reported.