You may be hearing about the coronavirus (officially called 2019-novel coronavirus or COVID-19) in the news. While there isn’t a vaccine yet, Medicare is still here to help. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a test to see if you have coronavirus. This test is covered when your doctor or other health care provider orders it, if you got the test on or after February 4, 2020.
You usually pay nothing for Medicare-covered clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. Note: Your provider will need to wait until after April 1, 2020 to be able to submit a claim to Medicare for this test.
To prevent the spread of this illness or other illnesses including the flu, here are some tips to follow:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Stay home when you’re sick
- See your doctor if you think you’re ill
For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website.
