You’ve likely heard about the coronavirus (officially called 2019-novel coronavirus or COVID-19) in the news. While there isn’t a vaccine yet, your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a test to see if you have coronavirus. This test is covered when your doctor or a health care provider orders it, if you get 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 submit a claim to Medicare for this test.
To prevent the spread of this illness or other illnesses including the flu, below 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.