Date: March 15, 2022

A standing order was issued Tuesday, March 15, 2022, by Missouri’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. George Turabelidze, which entitles individuals to receive coverage for purchased tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This policy authorizes Missouri pharmacies to charge an individual’s insurance carrier, whether it is private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare coverage, for COVID-19 testing.

“Those without a healthcare provider or who lack immediate access to healthcare will have the opportunity to seek testing close to home, for free or at a reduced cost,” said Paula Nickelson, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Dr. Turabelidze’s action is providing one more way we can ease the burden on consumers and the healthcare industry while also limiting spread of the virus in our communities.”

Testing options for COVID-19 have evolved considerably since the start of the pandemic and it remains a very important tool for limiting spread, and therefore decreasing instances of hospitalization and death.

From testing to vaccinations, pharmacists have played a vital role in Missouri during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Missouri’s broad network of pharmacists, these providers have localized COVID-19-related services, increasing accessibility to individuals in all areas of the state.

“The Missouri Pharmacy Association is excited for this standing order, as this will help pharmacists aid their communities in ensuring tests can be utilized to limit the spread of this virus,” said Ron Fitzwater, Chief Executive Officer of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.

Visit this CMS.gov site for more information regarding testing coverage or reimbursement, or to order free at-home testing kits, visit CovidTests.gov. Additional state testing resources can be found at health.mo.gov/communitytest.

Date: February 25, 2022

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is considering adding a limited supply of antiviral drugs to the suite of HRSA direct supply programs for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to treat clinically eligible patients who test positive for COVID-19!

In order to gauge RHC interest and need for therapeutics, HRSA is requesting that RHCs complete the brief, 5-question survey found here by 11:59 p.m. your local time on Tuesday, March 2.

As a reminder, RHCs can enroll in the ongoing RHC Test Supply Program to obtain direct access to free at-home test kits, N95 masks, and point of care testing supplies via the DPOP system. You can find directions for enrolling here.

Completing this survey does not enroll your RHC in this program should supplies become available and is only intended to gauge interest and need.

If you have any questions, please contact RHCcovidsupplies@narhc.org. Thank you for your participation!

Date: February 3, 2022

CMS Developing Initiative to Enable Access to Eight Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests for Medicare Beneficiaries in Early Spring

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to expand Americans’ access to free testing, people in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost starting in early spring. Under the new initiative, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free. Tests will be available through eligible pharmacies and other participating entities. This policy will apply to COVID-19 over-the-counter tests approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This is the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to beneficiaries. There are a number of issues that have made it difficult to cover and pay for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. However, given the importance of expanding access to testing, CMS has identified a pathway that will expand access to free over-the-counter testing for Medicare beneficiaries. This new initiative will enable payment from Medicare directly to participating pharmacies and other participating entities to allow Medicare beneficiaries to pick up tests at no cost. CMS anticipates that this option will be available to people with Medicare in the early spring.

Until then, people with Medicare can access free tests through a number of channels established by the Biden-Harris Administration. Medicare beneficiaries can:

• Request four free over-the-counter tests for home delivery at covidtests.gov.
• Access COVID-19 tests through healthcare providers at over 20,000 free testing sites nationwide. A list of community-based testing sites can be found here.
• Access lab-based PCR tests and antigen tests performed by a laboratory when the test is ordered by a physician, non-physician practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional at no cost. In addition to accessing a COVID-19 lab test ordered by a health care professional, people with Medicare can also already access one lab-performed test without an order, also without cost sharing, during the public health emergency.

In addition:

• Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage and payment for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests as a supplemental benefit in addition to covering Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, so Medicare beneficiaries covered by Medicare Advantage should check with their plan to see if it includes such a benefit. 
• All Medicare beneficiaries with Part B are eligible for the new benefit, whether enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or not.

For more information, please see these Frequently Asked Questions, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-over-counter-otc-tests-medicare-frequently-asked-questions.pdf.

Date: January 27, 2022

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. All vaccinated adults aged 18+ are eligible for a booster. A few weeks ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded booster eligibility to include adolescents ages 12 to 17, recommending that they receive a booster shot five months after their initial vaccination. The CDC also released a new resource, based on input from rural health departments and organizations, with 12 strategies to increase vaccine uptake in rural communities (pdf). Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov.

Date: January 18, 2022

Get free at-home COVID-19 tests.  Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.  https://www.covidtests.gov/

If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area, or visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services COVID-19 FREE Testing webpage.