TRICARE for Life (TFL) beneficiaries soon will be able to access free at-home COVID tests thanks to a recently announced Medicare coverage expansion. All other TRICARE beneficiaries remain left out of the federal initiative to expand access to at-home COVID testing – MOAA continues to pursue a fix to this parity issue.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Feb. 3 that Medicare beneficiaries will have access to eight free, over-the-counter, at-home COVID test kits per month starting in early spring. Tests will be available through eligible pharmacies and other participating entities.

[SHARE YOUR STORY: COVID Tests and TRICARE Coverage]

Because they are enrolled in Medicare, TFL beneficiaries will have access to the free kits once the Medicare program is implemented. All other TRICARE beneficiaries are still subject to TRICARE policy, which currently does not cover over-the-counter COVID test kits.

All health insurance companies and group health plans are subject to a federal requirement to cover the at-home kits at zero out-of-pocket cost for covered individuals. Because TRICARE is a health care program, not insurance, it is not subject to federal requirements governing health insurance.

[RELATED: Millions of TRICARE Beneficiaries Left Out of COVID-19 Test Reimbursement Plan]

Medicare also initially was left out of the plan to expand access to COVID testing. MOAA appreciates CMS’ action to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to at-home testing.

TRICARE will cover the cost of an at-home test kit if one is ordered by a TRICARE-authorized provider. Also, every U.S. home can order four free at-home kits via COVIDTests.gov regardless of health insurance coverage.

MOAA Takes Action

MOAA has taken the issue to TRICARE leadership – they are reexamining TRICARE coverage rules but recently published an article at Health.mil underscoring current policy, including non-coverage of the kits.

MOAA also worked with the TRICARE for Kids Coalition and the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging him to expand TRICARE coverage for at-home test kits, consistent with federal requirements for commercial and group health plans. 

MOAA is concerned military families, working-age retirees and their families, and survivors have been left out of plans to expand access to at-home testing as communities attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. These families face the same testing requirements as their civilian counterparts, yet have fewer free testing options – some are incurring significant out-of-pocket costs as a result.

How has TRICARE’s non-coverage of over-the-counter at-home COVID test kits impacted you? Please share your story via MOAA's new Legislative Action Center at this link.