U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today praised a decision this morning by the Biden administration that Medicare will now cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests for beneficiaries. The decision heeds a direct request by Reps. Pascrell and Scott Peters (D-CA-52) urgently demanding this policy change.

“Medicare recipients make up nearly one-fifth of all Americans. As the covid virus continues to ravage our country, it makes no sense that some of our most vulnerable neighbors were on the hook to test themselves at home,” said Rep. Pascrell. “The Biden administration has made a commonsense decision to provide eight at-home tests per month to Medicare beneficiaries at no cost. Giving our seniors this peace of mind will increase testing, decrease infection rates, and ultimately save lives.”

Broad access to diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is a critical component of a comprehensive strategy to effectively identify and mitigate the spread of this virus, especially as new variants continue to emerge. Without comparable benefits available through the Medicare program nearly 20% of the population would be made to pay out-of-pocket for COVID-19 tests.

Coverage for Medicare beneficiaries will begin in early spring. Until then, Medicare beneficiaries can access free at-home tests through for home delivery at covidtests.gov.

A copy of Pascrell and Peters’ January 14, 2022 letter to President Biden is available here.