WASHINGTON — Amid worries that the most recent coronavirus variant may spark one other rise in instances, Medicare introduced Monday that thousands and thousands of enrollees will lastly have entry to free over-the-counter COVID-19 exams at drug shops.
Greater than 59 million folks with Medicare’s “Half B” outpatient protection will be capable to stand up to eight free at-home exams per 30 days, or sufficient for a person to check twice every week, as some docs have really helpful.
Medicare has lagged non-public insurance coverage in following the Biden administration’s directive to cowl at-home exams as a result of guidelines and laws stood in the way in which, and officers needed to discover a work-around. That is the primary time the medical insurance program for older folks and people with disabilities has coated an over-the-counter check without charge to recipients.
Medicare’s transfer may grow to be prescient.
The BA.2 omicron variant now accounts for greater than half of U.S. instances, having quickly overtaken the unique pressure. That preliminary omicron wave this winter triggered the most important spike but in virus instances, straining many hospitals to the restrict. Since then, instances nationally have quickly dropped to the bottom stage since earlier than final summer time’s delta surge.
Coronavirus restrictions have been largely lifted. However some areas the place BA.2 took maintain early are seeing rising instances.
Monday’s announcement adopted one other precautionary transfer final week, when authorities well being officers approved a second spherical of booster pictures for folks 50 and older in addition to these with weakened immune techniques.
Nationwide pharmacy chains collaborating in Medicare’s give-away embody: Albertsons Firms Inc., Costco Pharmacy, CVS, Meals Lion, Large Meals, The Large Firm, Hannaford Pharmacies, H-E-B Pharmacy, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Kroger Household of Pharmacies, Ceremony Support Corp., Store & Cease, Walgreens and Walmart.