Free OTC COVID-19 Test Kits Going Away
Updated: May 20
May, 2023. The COVID-19 public health emergency officially ends May 11, 2023. After that, free over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits will no longer be provided under Medicare Part B. (OTC tests are also known as rapid tests or antigen tests.) If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan may provide free OTC test kits as a perk of the plan. Check with your carrier. Medicare will continue to cover doctor ordered PCR tests, vaccines and other related COVID-19 care. See official information at link here.
An important word about test kit expiration dates. You may be thinking, I have a bunch of kits I never used so I'm all set. Not so if the kits have expired. And an added wrinkle: the expiration date printed on your kit may have been extended! For more about expiration dates and the extensions associated with them, click here.