# Medicare Free OTC Covid tests ending for some

**URL:** <https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/medicare-free-otc-covid-tests-ending-for-some/13809>\
**Category:** non-D\
**Created:** [May 5, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/medicare-free-otc-covid-tests-ending-for-some/13809 "2023-05-05T22:24:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/medicare-free-otc-covid-tests-ending-for-some/13809/1 "2023-05-05T22:24:36Z")

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Medicare is ending the free OTC Covid tests as of May 11th. The pharmacies are already running out. I guess some advantage plans might still be covering some and my plan is not an advantage plan and it is just changing it from 8 to 4 free OTC tests per month. So be sure to check with your plan as everyone is snapping up the tests before the 11th. I think this hit people a little by surprise as my plan is just sending out a letter and the help center just got an information letter on it today.

> " The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023. What does this mean for you?
> 
> - Medicare will continue to cover [**COVID-19 vaccines**](https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYXJlLmdvdi9jb3ZlcmFnZS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1kaXNlYXNlLTIwMTktY292aWQtMTktdmFjY2luZT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAyMzA1MDVfY3ZkX3Jlc19nYWwmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9ZW5nbGlzaCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTA1Ljc2MjkwOTAxIn0.iHtz8rYUsDoDb6PJ_FFRz8iYxe0XAunme9JKq_qdOAw/s/1415560421/br/178060647027-l) at no cost.
> - You’ll be able to get [**COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests**](https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYXJlLmdvdi9jb3ZlcmFnZS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1kaXNlYXNlLTIwMTktY292aWQtMTktZGlhZ25vc3RpYy10ZXN0cz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAyMzA1MDVfY3ZkX3Jlc19nYWwmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9ZW5nbGlzaCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTA1Ljc2MjkwOTAxIn0.JV-ii6GuFW7FxTv73zJfSslU8Dgn-CWK8ij-_Q3okXE/s/1415560421/br/178060647027-l) with no out-of-pocket costs when ordered by a doctor.
> - [**Expanded telehealth services**](https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYXJlLmdvdi9jb3ZlcmFnZS90ZWxlaGVhbHRoP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0yMDIzMDUwNV9jdmRfcmVzX2dhbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1lbmdsaXNoJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA1MDUuNzYyOTA5MDEifQ.b2lHE609-7rhQ-0MfoS8s1eJIQftEKYlgNAEdGHZxz0/s/1415560421/br/178060647027-l) will continue through December 31, 2024.
> 
> ### **[More Info](https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYXJlLmdvdi9tZWRpY2FyZS1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MjAyMzA1MDVfY3ZkX3Jlc19nYWwmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9ZW5nbGlzaCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTA1Ljc2MjkwOTAxIn0.Zko-tiG48_H2H9697nmOIhph9wIbLdxUsttyf1t-v5I/s/1415560421/br/178060647027-l)**
> 
> After May 11, 2023, Medicare will no longer cover or pay for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have more access to tests depending on your benefits. Make sure to check with your plan.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> _The Medicare Team_"

> **[Medicare & Coronavirus](https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus?utm_campaign=20230505_cvd_res_gal&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)**
>
> Learn how Medicare is addressing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) & what precautionary steps you can take to stay safe & healthy. Official Medicare site."