Biden pressured to cover COVID-19 tests through Medicare

The Biden administration is looking for ways for Medicare beneficiaries to get a commercial home COVID-19 test for free.

The White House requires private insurance companies to pay for home COVID-19 inspections eight times a month per person when a customer applies for a refund. This requirement was introduced as a result of a large outbreak of infection by Omicron variants.

However, this policy did not apply to Medicare beneficiaries, and the exclusion of 64 million elderly and disabled Americans caused a backlash.

Dozens of Democrats and supporters have recently pressured the administration to change the rules, but Medicare usually doesn’t cover home diagnostic tests, so options for doing so are limited. It has been.

“I’m disappointed that the 8 additional home exam refund options per person only apply to people with private or group health insurance,” said the person in charge. Anna EshooAnna Georges EshooHillicon Valley — Biden’s False Information Warning Legislators urge tech companies to take the threat of suicide scenes seriously and limit their visibility Eshoo: The federal government needed for “orphan” pharmaceutical companies Government incentives (D-Calif.) I wrote a letter to the Secretary of Health and Welfare. Xavier BeseraXavier Besera Overnight Healthcare — COVID-19 Biden Peaks from Delta Surge Name Hill’s 12:30 Report-Facebook Announces-Breaking: Justice Breyer Retires..

“Without the equivalent benefits available through Medicare, more than 18% of our population would have to pay for an additional home COVID-19 test at our own expense. Americans enrolled in Medicare have infectious diseases. It is of utmost importance to give this population priority access to important testing tools, as they are the most vulnerable and vulnerable to the disease, “Eshoo wrote.

Currently, traditional Medicare only pays for COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed in laboratories such as PCR and antigen testing. If the test is ordered by a doctor, pharmacist, or “certified medical professional”, the beneficiaries will not be charged.

Biden’s health officials said they are working non-stop to find ways to solve the problem.

“While over-the-counter testing isn’t paid for in Medicare’s interests, we’re currently in the process of exploring options and addressing statutory and regulatory issues as we drive towards a solution,” said the director of the center. One Meena Seshamani said. The Deputy Director of Medicare and the Medicare and Medicaid Service Center (CMS) said in a statement to Hill.

“We recognize that testing will continue to be an important tool to help mitigate the COVID-19 epidemic and promise to provide resources to keep Medicare beneficiaries safe and healthy. I will, “Seshamani added.

White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator during a recent briefing Jeff SeienzJeff Jientzhill’s Morning Report-Who Will Replace Justice Breyer?Overnight Healthcare — Passing the Peak of COVID-19 Deaths from Delta Surge The United States Shares 400 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Worldwide Please note that Medicare beneficiaries already have access to free tests on tens of thousands of independent sites nationwide.

The government has also provided 50 million test kits to thousands of community health centers and Medicare-certified community health clinics for distribution to patients and community members.

Beneficiaries can also order four tests per household from the federal website CovidTests.gov and have them shipped to the United States Postal Service.

Medicare Advantage, where beneficiaries participate in private managed care plans, is possible, but each company has its own rules and coverage varies.

Older people are at greatest risk of serious complications from COVID-19, and increased access to tests can slow down infection. And home testing is becoming even more important as new therapies that require early intervention are developed.

Advocates and lawmakers said the HHS issued exemptions and emergency rules for other Medicare policies during the pandemic, and should be flexible in the scope of home testing as well.

“Elderly and disabled people enrolled in Medicare are at greatest risk of serious illness from COVID-19, with people over the age of 65 accounting for almost three-quarters of all viral deaths today. Policy leaves them on the hook of potentially large out-of-pocket costs, “leads a group of 19 Senate Democrats. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann Stavenow Michigan Republican John James’Strongly Considered’House Run Updated settlement text includes tax credits for electric vehicles opposed by Manchin Stavenow (D-Mich.), Wrote in a letter to HHS.

Casey Schwartz, senior counsel at the Medicare Rights Center, said the options available to older people can be a burden.

“COVID lab tests are covered as many times as the provider orders. That is, you need to contact your primary care provider and explain why you need the test. Then they need to order it. They need to order it. You need to go to the test site you ordered. All these steps can add to the barriers, “Schwartz said.

According to Schwartz, the scope of Medicare is dictated by law and is not easy to change. Absolutely the easiest way is parliamentary action, but she said the administration shouldn’t wait for parliamentarians because it may or may not happen immediately.

The government has the power to waive certain Medicare requirements under current public health emergencies, but she said, “the exact parameters of that power are subject to some interpretation.”

“There is no real sound policy reason that this population should be out of insurance coverage for inspection. This is a product of how Medicare was designed,” Schwartz said. increase.

Another problem is that Medicare is not set up to simply repay the beneficiaries who purchased the test like private insurance. Medicare pays the healthcare provider, not the individual.

“So there are some logistical issues that are somewhat unique to Medicare. In the short term, that’s a difficult part. Is there a way to do that under existing law?” Professor Emeritus Research, Georgetown University Said Jack Hordley.

While the administration was evaluating the options, Schwartz tentatively said Medicare should expand the scope of lab tests to make them more accessible.

“Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s difficult,” says Schwarz. “Anyone with Medicare can now order tests online and submit refund receipts? I think it’s pretty difficult. Will you increase coverage in any way? It’s more done It seems possible. “