Medicare And Coronavirus

If you are on Medicare, do you know how it would cover if you tested positive for COVID-19? This is a legitimate concern since paying out-of-pocket for treatment could be financially devastating.

There are many ways Medicare will help protect you should you find yourself in this situation. According to www.Medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus, these are some ways Medicare covers needs related to COVID-19:

• Medicare covers lab tests for COVID-19.  You pay no out-of-pocket costs.

• Medicare covers FDA-authorized COVID-19 antibody (or “serology”) test.

• Medicare covers all Medically Necessary hospitalizations.  This includes if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay, but instead, you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine.

• Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19.  However, it will be covered if one becomes available.

• If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Check with your plan about your coverage and costs.

• Medicare covers Telehealth & Related services (covered under Part B)

• Beware of scammers who may use the coronavirus national emergency to take advantage of people while they are distracted. If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare number, just hang up.  Protect this information like you would a credit card.

Medicare is also providing a Special Enrollment Opportunity for people who missed their chance to enroll in a Medicare health or drug plan due to COVID-19, and  COVID-19 enrollment flexibilities if you missed your enrollment period for Parts A & B.  For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

For other ways Medicare is helping, visit www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus