Over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests
Many UnitedHealthcare members are now able to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 tests, at little or no cost to you. Review the information here to help you better understand the benefit, including where to find at-home tests and how to submit for reimbursement.
- UnitedHealthcare Individual and Employer Group health plan members: Beginning January 15, 2022, UnitedHealthcare will cover most individual and employer group health plan members’ FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, without a doctor’s prescription. This OTC at-home COVID-19 test benefit includes up to 8 tests per member every calendar month.
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan members: This particular benefit does not apply to Medicare Advantage members. Learn more
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan members: Medicaid members may have access to covered OTC at-home testing depending on state coverage policies. Please call the number on the back of your member ID card to understand coverage in your state. Learn more
How to get OTC at-home COVID-19 tests
UnitedHealthcare individual and employer group health plan members with an OptumRx logo displayed on your member ID card can now receive reimbursement for an OTC at-home COVID-19 test. You may do this in 2 ways:
- Visit an in-store pharmacy counter at a UnitedHealthcare Preferred Retailer
You can get OTC at-home COVID-19 test(s) at no out-of-pocket cost if you:
- Purchase at an in-store pharmacy counter at a UnitedHealthcare Preferred Retailer
- Show your member ID card
A Preferred Retailer is a pharmacy that UnitedHealthcare has made arrangements with to provide OTC at-home COVID-19 tests with no out-of-pocket costs to you.
View the most up-to-date list of the Preferred Retailers and their websites. UnitedHealthcare is working to continue to add more. Please be sure to check a Preferred Retailer's website or mobile app for available test inventory and store hours before you visit an in-store pharmacy counter at one of the Preferred Retailers.
- Visit any in-store or online retailer
You may submit a receipt for reimbursement online at myuhc.com. You may also submit receipts through a reimbursement form.- Maximum reimbursement of up to $12 per test
- Many COVID-19 tests are sold as a 2-pack kit (up to $12 for each test) and would be reimbursed at a maximum of up to $24 per kit
- Shipping costs are not reimbursable
If you do not see an OptumRx logo on your member ID card, you may still submit for reimbursement at myuhc.com or through a reimbursement form. If you receive insurance through your employer, you may receive more information on this benefit in the future.
Through the Federal government, each household can receive a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov. Learn more about this program at covidtests.gov.
Frequently asked questions
For members with the OptumRx benefit: How to get OTC at-home COVID-19 tests
Visit a UnitedHealthcare Preferred Retailer to get OTC at-home COVID-19 tests with no out-of-pocket costs to you and no requirement to submit for reimbursement. To use this benefit you must:
- Purchase at the in-store pharmacy counter
- Show your member ID card
View the list of the Preferred Retailers and their websites.
UnitedHealthcare is working to continue to add more Preferred Retailers. Please check a Preferred Retailer website or mobile app for test availability before you visit an in-store pharmacy counter.
As another option, through the Federal government, each household can order a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov. Learn more about this program at covidtests.gov.
If your member ID card shows an OptumRx logo (example shown below), you can visit a Preferred Retailer and go to the in-store pharmacy counter to receive your tests at no cost to you (limits apply). You may also submit for reimbursement online with receipts from any other in-store or online retailer.
If you purchase OTC at-home COVID-19 tests at a front-of-store checkout, you may submit your purchase receipt for reimbursement for a maximum reimbursement of up to $12 per test. Many OTC at-home COVID-19 tests are sold as a 2-pack, which means the test pack would be reimbursed up to $24 (up to $12 for each test). Shipping costs are not reimbursable.
Members with an individual or employer group health plan may submit a receipt for reimbursement online at myuhc.com. All members may submit receipts through a reimbursement form.
Any UnitedHealthcare member with an individual or employer group health plan may purchase an FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 test at any in-store or online retailer. You may submit your purchase receipt for reimbursement for a maximum reimbursement of up to $12 per test. Many OTC at-home COVID-19 tests are sold as a 2-pack, which means the test pack would be reimbursed up to $24 (up to $12 for each test). Shipping costs are not reimbursable.
Members with an individual or employer group health plan may submit a receipt for reimbursement online at myuhc.com. All members may submit receipts through a reimbursement form.
Due to high demand, in-store associates cannot verify over the phone if COVID-19 tests are in stock.
Please be sure to check a Preferred Retailer’s website or mobile app to learn if tests are available before you visit an in-store pharmacy counter at one of the Preferred Retailers.
View the list of the Preferred Retailers and their websites. UnitedHealthcare is working to add more Preferred Retailers.
Yes. If you get an FDA-authorized test at an in-store pharmacy counter at a UnitedHealthcare Preferred Retailer, you won’t need to pay anything out-of-pocket. At any other location, you may purchase an FDA-authorized test, but you will only be reimbursed at a maximum of up to $12 per test. Shipping costs are not reimbursable.
If you qualify for this program, your plan will reimburse up to 8 tests every calendar month for each covered member under your plan. You may purchase up to 8 tests per covered member at one time, unless other limits apply or as tests are available.
Any FDA-authorized or approved test is covered as part of the program. Typically, FDA-authorization is shown on the test packaging.
If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member who does not have a pharmacy benefit through OptumRx (if the OptumRx logo is not displayed on the front of your member ID card, you do not have the pharmacy benefit), you may purchase an OTC at-home COVID-19 test at any in-store or online location and submit for reimbursement. Members with an individual or employer group health plan may submit a receipt for reimbursement online at myuhc.com. All members may submit receipts through a reimbursement form. You may receive more specific guidance from your employer on this benefit in the future.
For members with the OptumRx benefit: Reimbursement for OTC at-home COVID-19 tests
You’ll need to submit a reimbursement form, including a receipt showing the date you purchased the OTC at-home COVID-19 test(s), as well as their cost(s). Members with an individual or employer group health plan may submit a receipt for reimbursement online at myuhc.com. All members may submit receipts through a reimbursement form.
Call the number on the back of your member ID card with any questions.
You’ll be reimbursed via your preferred method — either direct deposit or mail — if you have previously made a selection. If you haven’t selected a preferred method, your reimbursement will be mailed to you.
Typically, reimbursements are sent within 10-20 days. To help avoid delays, make sure you complete all requested information.
You can get reimbursed for up to 8 OTC at-home COVID-19 tests per covered member every calendar month. Some test kits contain 2 tests per kit. Both of those tests count toward the limit of 8 every calendar month. So, if you get 4 tests kits with 2 tests in each kit, that equals the 8 tests every calendar month.
Only the cost of OTC at-home COVID-19 tests — at a maximum of up to $12 per test — will be reimbursed. Shipping costs are not reimbursable.
Yes.
No.
No.
Yes. In certain situations, state-based requirements may offer broader benefit coverage to members covered under plans regulated by state law.
No
For Medicare Advantage members
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits
Your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan may have a benefit that can be used to get OTC at-home COVID-19 tests. Sign in to medicare.uhc.com to learn if OTC benefits are part of your Medicare Advantage plan. Check your Over-the-Counter Products Catalog or Over-the-Counter Products Card benefit to confirm.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members are not eligible for reimbursement of OTC at-home COVID-19 tests purchased without a physician’s order. All of our Medicare Advantage plans cover COVID-19 testing when ordered by a physician with a $0 cost-share.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement plans and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans do not cover or reimburse for purchases of OTC at-home COVID-19tests. For information on Original Medicare coverage for COVID-19 testing, see Coronavirus Test Coverage (medicare.gov).
Free testing availability
Through the Federal government, each household can order a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov. Learn more about this program at covidtests.gov.
As always, COVID-19 testing is free when you go to a COVID-19 testing location instead of testing at home. Find a COVID-19 testing location near you.
Over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 tests are not covered by Medicare, but Medicaid coverage for those tests may be available for dually eligible members, including those enrolled in a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP). To see if Medicaid covers OTC at-home COVID-19 tests for you, call the phone number on your member ID card.
Also, most UnitedHealthcare D-SNPs have an OTC benefit that can be used to get at-home COVID-19 tests. To see if your D-SNP includes this benefit, sign in to your health plan account for more information.
All UnitedHealthcare D-SNPs also cover, with a $0 cost share, COVID-19 tests that are ordered by a health care provider.
Free testing availability
Through the Federal government, each household can order a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov. Learn more about this program at covidtests.gov.
As always, COVID-19 testing is free when you go to a COVID-19 testing location instead of testing at home. Find a COVID-19 testing location near you.
For UnitedHealthcare Community Plan members
Coverage of COVID-19 testing is determined by each State Medicaid program, and specifics regarding coverage vary by state. For those that are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, the administrator of their Medicaid benefits should provide guidance on their coverage. Members should call the number on the back of their card if they have questions.
Free testing availability
Through the Federal government, each household can order a one-time shipment of 4 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests shipped directly from covidtests.gov. Learn more about this program at covidtests.gov.
As always, COVID-19 testing is free when you go to a COVID-19 testing location instead of testing at home. Find a COVID-19 testing location near you.
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