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US S3499

US S3499
Free COVID–19 Testing Act


summary

Introduced
03/12/2020
In Committee
03/12/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

Requires specified public health care programs and private health insurance to cover testing for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) without imposing cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for the duration of the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020. This coverage includes the cost of administering such approved tests and related visits to health care providers.Specifically, these requirements apply to COVID-19 testing and office visits for individuals covered through (1) Medicare, (2) Medicare Advantage, (3) Medicaid, (4) the Children's Health Insurance Program, (5) the Department of Defense (i.e., TRICARE), (6) the Department of Veterans Affairs, (7) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or (8) the Indian Health Service. Additionally, state Medicaid programs may cover COVID-19 testing and related visits for uninsured individuals during the emergency, and the Department of Health and Human Services must reimburse laboratories for the cost of such tests.

AI Summary

This bill requires public health care programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, and the VA, as well as private health insurance plans, to cover COVID-19 testing and related visits without any cost-sharing (deductibles, copays, or coinsurance) for the duration of the public health emergency. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse laboratories for the cost of COVID-19 tests for uninsured individuals. Additionally, the bill prohibits cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and related visits for individuals receiving care through the Indian Health Service.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (43)

Tina Smith (D)* Tammy Baldwin (D),  Michael Bennet (D),  Richard Blumenthal (D),  Cory Booker (D),  Sherrod Brown (D),  Tom Carper (D),  Bob Casey (D),  Chris Coons (D),  Catherine Cortez Masto (D),  Tammy Duckworth (D),  Dick Durbin (D),  Dianne Feinstein (D),  Kirsten Gillibrand (D),  Kamala Harris (D),  Maggie Hassan (D),  Martin Heinrich (D),  Mazie Hirono (D),  Doug Jones (D),  Tim Kaine (D),  Angus King (I),  Amy Klobuchar (D),  Ed Markey (D),  Bob Menendez (D),  Jeff Merkley (D),  Chris Murphy (D),  Patty Murray (D),  Gary Peters (D),  Jack Reed (D),  Jacky Rosen (D),  Bernie Sanders (I),  Brian Schatz (D),  Chuck Schumer (D),  Jeanne Shaheen (D),  Kyrsten Sinema (I),  Debbie Stabenow (D),  Jon Tester (D),  Tom Udall (D),  Chris Van Hollen (D),  Mark Warner (D),  Elizabeth Warren (D),  Sheldon Whitehouse (D),  Ron Wyden (D), 

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 03/12/2020)

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