COVID-19 Testing

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) covers COVID-19 tests performed in labs or at home that are consistent with CDC guidance and have been cleared, approved or given emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA.

We cover eight (8) over-the-counter (OTC) tests that have been approved or received emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA per member per month.

These tests do not have to be ordered by a doctor and can be self-administered and self-read at home.

When to Test

According to NCDHHS, anyone who has symptoms of or has been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested as soon as possible. For information about how and where to find a testing location in North Carolina, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTests.

At-Home Testing

NCDHHS is doubling down on at-home testing by establishing Community Access Points in all counties to provide free and easy COVID-19 tests for home use. Beginning July 1, members can find home tests at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/PickUpTests.

Purchasing an OTC Test

Members have several options for purchasing an OTC COVID-19 test. 

Members on an Employer's Group Plan and Individual Members:

1) Purchase at a local pharmacy counter using a Blue Cross NC prescription benefits card to pay no out-of-pocket costs

Members who plan to get their eligible OTC COVID-19 test from an in-network pharmacy must present their prescription benefits card, the same way they purchase their prescriptions. By purchasing at an in-network pharmacy counter, insurance is filed electronically, allowing members to purchase the test with no out-of-pocket costs. Purchasing OTC COVID-19 test kits is not limited to a particular pharmacy chain and includes, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, CVS, EPIC Pharmacies, various Independent Pharmacies and more:

2022 List of Pharmacies from Prime Therapeutics (our pharmacy benefit manager)

2) Purchase at an out-of-network pharmacy or any location other than a pharmacy counter, pay out-of-pocket for the tests and submit a claim form to be reimbursed up to $12 per test

If a local pharmacy is not able to directly cover the cost of tests, members can pay out-of-pocket and mail an eligible OTC COVID-19 test claim form to Prime Therapeutics (our pharmacy benefit manager), for reimbursement. This applies to members who purchase OTC tests without their Blue Cross NC prescription drug card at an out-of-network pharmacy or location other than a pharmacy counter.

Medicare Members:

• Participating pharmacies and health care providers will bill Medicare for OTC tests and there will be no out-of-pocket costs for members on Medicare plans.
• Medicare will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per calendar month when picked up at a participating pharmacy or health care provider.
• Medicare members (including members with a Medicare Supplemental or Medicare Advantage plan) should check with their pharmacy or health care provider to determine if they are participating in the initiative to provide free OTC COVID-19 tests.
• These tests are available to anyone with Medicare Part B coverage, including those with a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare members are not eligible for reimbursement from Blue Cross NC for these tests. 

Reimbursement

Download OTC Reimbursement Claim Form*

For Members on an Employer's Group Plan and Individual Members:

• Reimbursement for test kits purchased from out-of-network pharmacies and retailers is limited to no more than $12 per individual test. To be reimbursed, the test must be FDA-approved or have emergency use authorization.
• Eligible members will receive up to eight (8) OTC COVID-19 tests per month for reimbursement. Each test is counted separately regardless of how many tests are sold in one package.   

When submitting a claim to be reimbursed, members must mail a:   

• Completed OTC COVID-19 test claim form*
• Purchase receipt documenting the date of purchase and the price of the test   
• The test’s UPC code   

The address to mail the OTC COVID-19 test claim form is:

Prime Therapeutics
Mail route: Commercial
PO Box 25136
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-5136  

Upon receipt of the required materials, Prime will issue a reimbursement check, typically within 21 days. Depending on volume, additional time may be needed for processing.  

Most Blue Cross NC members should not need reimbursement for their OTC COVID-19 tests. If members present their Blue Cross NC member ID card at an in-network pharmacy counter, they will pay no out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare members must receive their OTC tests from a participating pharmacy or health care provider and are not eligible for reimbursement from Blue Cross NC. 

*Note: the claim form should be completed for OTC COVID-19 tests. A pharmacist signature and pharmacist NPI number are NOT required on the claim form.  However, the member MUST sign the form attesting that the test kits are not being used for testing required by their employer, return to work, travel, attending recreational events, and will not be resold.

Eligibility

• OTC testing coverage applies to members of Blue Cross NC's fully insured (individual and group), Administrative Services Only (ASO) group health plans and the Federal Employee Plan (FEP).
• The requirements do not apply to excepted benefits (such as stand-alone vision or dental) or retiree-only plans. 
• If the back of your Blue Cross NC ID card doesn't list Prime as your prescription drug plan, you may have a different pharmacy benefit manager. If this is the case, please ask your employer or benefits manager about your OTC testing reimbursement options.
• COVID-19 tests for general workplace health and safety (such as employee "return to work" programs) are not required to be covered.

Medicare

• For Medicare members, Medicare will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per calendar month when picked up at a participating pharmacy or health care provider.

Frequently Asked Questions