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Kaiser Permanente to Cover Cost of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Home Tests

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All, All News, featured, Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente provided information on COVID-19 home tests following guidance from the Biden administration.

 

The highly contagious omicron variant continues to spread throughout our communities. Vaccination and boosters provide the best protection against severe illness from COVID-19. Testing is also an important tool in slowing the spread of COVID-19. While Kaiser Permanente has provided over 68,000 daily tests, demand currently exceeds capacity. Rapid antigen home tests, also called rapid COVID tests or self tests, offer another way to help reduce the spread. Health plans are now reimbursing members for these at-home tests. 

 

Kaiser Permanente to cover cost of COVID-19 rapid antigen home tests 

Following guidance from the Biden administration, Kaiser Permanente will now reimburse members for FDA approved rapid antigen home tests. Members can submit a reimbursement claim here for tests purchased on or after January 15. 

 

Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of rapid antigen home tests. Kaiser Permanente, like other health care organizations, has access to a very limited supply of tests. Kaiser Permanente are working to get tests and make them available to their members through a number of outlets, including mail-order. Kaiser Permanente will share details as they become available. 

 

How to get FDA approved rapid antigen home tests 

  • Starting January 19, members can request free rapid antigen home tests, without shipping fees, from the federal government. 
  • Rapid antigen home tests are also available at local drugstores or online. Kaiser Permanente will reimburse members for FDA approved rapid antigen home tests purchased on or after January 15th. 
  • In the coming days, as supply of tests increases, Kaiser Permanente will make more rapid antigen home tests available to members. Members should visit kp.org for the most up to date information on supply, testing, and vaccinations. 

 

Guidance on types of COVID-19 tests 

Rapid antigen home tests are a fast, easy way to get a quick result if members have symptoms, think they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or plan to gather indoors with those who may be at risk including unvaccinated children, older individuals, and those who are immunocompromised. Results are typically available within 30 minutes. 

 

PCR tests are usually processed in a lab and results are typically available in 1-3 days. At Kaiser Permanente, PCR tests are required for members who are coming in for certain clinical procedures that require a negative test in advance. For more detail, visit Kaiser Permanente's COVID-19 testing FAQs. 

 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to the safety of their members, care teams, and communities.

 

Visit kp.org/coronavirus for local updates. You can also call Kaiser Permanente's 24/7 KP COVID Vaccine InfoLine at 1.855.550.0951 (available in English and Spanish) for regular recorded updates.  

 

For questions, please contact your B&P Sales Rep – 888.722.3373.