COVID-19

COVID-19 cost share waiver end date extended to Jan. 10, 2023

On October 13, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services extended the national public health emergency. As a result, UMR is extending the end date for cost share waiver and other COVID-19 benefit options to the date of service, Jan. 10, 2023.

The Jan. 10, 2023, extension will be applied to UMR standard benefit options and include:

  • Waiving cost share for COVID-19 testing and test-related visits (Feb. 4, 2020-end of emergency period). Applies to all plans per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Mandated coverage that must be extended through DOS Jan. 10, 2023.
  • Waiving cost share for COVID-19 vaccine administration. The COVID-19 vaccine serum will initially be paid by the government. (Dec. 12, 2020-end of emergency period). Applies to all plans per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Mandated coverage that must be extended through DOS Jan. 10, 2023.

COVID-19 Vaccines

As of Jan. 19, 2022, every household in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government. These tests are completely free of charge and will typically ship within 7-12 days. Click here to order your test kits today.

If you choose to purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 test from a retailer, here’s what Farm Bureau Health Plans members need to know:

  • If you purchase a test kit at a Walmart or Rite Aid outlet and check out at the pharmacy register, there will be no upfront cost at the time of purchase. If you purchase your test kit at a Walmart or Rite-Aid and check out at any register other than the pharmacy, you will need to submit a manual claim form for reimbursement, along with the purchase receipt, to the address found on the back of your ID card.
  • If you purchase a test kit at any retail outlet other than Walmart or Rite Aid, you will need to submit a manual claim form for reimbursement, along with the purchase receipt, to the address found on the back of your ID card.
  • Farm Bureau Health Plans will reimburse $12 per test up to eight tests per member in a calendar month.
  • The at-home COVID-19 test kit you purchase must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to qualify for reimbursement.

The federal mandate regarding coverage of at-home COVID-19 test kits does not apply to Medicare beneficiaries; we suggest you click here for the most current information on Medicare coverage of testing.