COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-Home Rapid Tests Via the Federal Government

The Federal Government has a website from which you can order 4 OTC at-home COVID-19 rapid tests to be mailed to your home – this includes free shipping, and no out-of-pocket costs to you. You can visit www.COVIDTests.gov – and order these tests which are expected to be shipped within 7 to 12 days.

COVID-19 OTC At-Home Rapid Tests Available From BCSBMS via a Preferred Pharmacy Network

The Federal Government has directed that persons may obtain OTC at-home COVID-19 rapid tests with no out-of-pocket cost from their insurers or health plans beginning January 15, 2022.

Specifically, Members can receive up to 8 OTC at-home COVID-19 rapid tests per month per Member until the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). The Public Health Emergency was renewed on October 13, 2022. Therefore, the current Public Health Emergency is set to expire January 11, 2023.

We are working with our Preferred Pharmacy Network Provider to give you simple and convenient direct access to the FDA/EUA-approved COVID-19 tests at no cost and without filing a claim. The Preferred Pharmacy Network Provider, at this time, is CVS Health. You can pick-up the test(s) in-person at a CVS Health location at the Pharmacy check-out. You may want to have your virtual ID card available. You can also order the tests on-line through https://www.cvs.com/shop/home-health-care/home-tests/home-covid-test and have them shipped free to your home. You can only order 8 tests per member per purchase/order; not 8 tests for each member of the family in a single purchase. This allows us to accurately track and monitor the number of approved tests. Using a Preferred Pharmacy Network Provider gives you an in-person and on-line option to obtain your no-cost COVID-19 test.

If you purchase an FDA/EUA-approved COVID-19 at-home rapid test from a Non-Preferred Pharmacy, you will have to pay for it at that time and submit a claim to BCBSMS, with your receipt confirming purchase and delivery of the test. Reimbursement in this Non-Preferred Pharmacy situation will be no greater than $12.00 per approved test, with shipping costs counting toward the $12.00, regardless of the actual cost at the point of sale.

If you have any questions, you can contact our Customer Service Team at 1-800-942-0278 or (601) 664-4590 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.