Posted 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Optum Update: Get reimbursed when you buy COVID-19 tests
Health plan providers are now required to reimburse the cost of COVID-19 tests
Effective January 15, 2022, you can purchase over-the-counter COVID diagnostic test kits at no cost to you. Coverage limits and exclusions apply. See Over-the-Counter COVID Test Coverage Test Information for additional details and resources.
Only test kits approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be covered. To verify if a test is approved by the FDA, see this list of approved at-home test kits and scroll down to view a searchable table of approved tests.
Each covered family member is entitled up to eight tests every 30 days. All test coverage for non-Medicare members will be processed through Navitus, your pharmacy benefit manager.
The maximum reimbursement amount for tests purchased at a retail location is $12 per test. If you buy your COVID test kits out-of-pocket from a retail store, online, or at a provider’s office, you can submit a reimbursement claim form and any required documentation to Navitus for reimbursement.
COVID test kits purchased prior to January 15, 2022, are not covered by Navitus but can be reimbursed through your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
Can I still be reimbursed for test kits using my FSA or HSA?
At-home COVID tests are considered an eligible FSA or HSA expense as long as the cost has not been reimbursed to you by Navitus.
If you have paid for an at-home COVID test using your FSA or HSA funds, you should not submit the expense to Navitus for reimbursement unless you plan to repay your account for the claim.
A reimbursement from your FSA or HSA for a test that you’ve already been reimbursed for by Navitus, may be subject to taxes and penalties.
If you mistakenly received reimbursement from an FSA or HSA for OTC COVID-19 test costs covered by your Navitus, you can cancel your claim reimbursement or contact Optum Financial customer service 1-833-881-8158 regarding correction procedures.
For FAQs about COVID-19 test reimbursement, visit the Optum Store
If you have questions, please contact Optum Financial customer service at 1-833-881-8158
