Photo: Araceli Martinez / Impremedia
For: Real America News
By federal mandate, private health insurers must reimburse their clients for the cost of over-the-counter Covid tests as of 15 from January. This situation is not entirely easy for insurers, since the demand for tests throughout the country is high.
To this, it is necessary to add that rapid tests are still scarce in the country’s pharmacies. On the other hand, many insurers say they are not ready, arguing that they have not had enough time to establish links with retailers that sell the tests to the public.
In addition, they have said that they have not been able to develop the operational processes necessary for health plan participants to request reimbursement for tests.
According to CBS, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), conglomerate 35 independent health insurance companies that cover to one in three Americans, already expressed concern about the Covid test reimbursement program.
“We are concerned that the policy will not solve the limited supply of tests in the country and could cause additional friction for consumers,” said in a statement the executive director of B CBSA, Kim Keck.
Meanwhile, Kris Haltmeyer, vice president of policy analysis for the BCBSA, told CBS that each Blue Cross Blue company Shield will develop its own policies and systems for insured members to request reimbursement for rapid tests .
“The White House guide did not describe how direct coverage would take place. All of these negotiations are ongoing,” Haltmeyer said of insurance plans’ efforts to establish partnerships with pharmacies.
According to the media outlet, a UnitedHealthcare customer service representative disclosed that had no information on how consumers will be able to request reimbursement or if the insurer had established a network of preferred retailers.
When in doubt that have been generated on how to request reimbursement, it is suggested that people who have health insurance and buy from the day 15 of January your proofs keep the payment vouchers, since with these you will be able to claim the reimbursement.
Government Approved Testing to be reimbursable, include the Abbott BinaxNow home test, the Quidel QuickVue Antigen and OraSure InteliSwab Rapid Test.
According to the guide published by the Department of Health and Human Services, those who have private insurance can request reimbursement for rapid tests as of 11 January, without a prescription or prior authorization .
On the other hand, Americans who are uninsured or covered by Medicare they will not be able to request a refund for the over-the-counter tests they buy.
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