---
title: OTC COVID-19 tests available at no cost for most consumers
description: Private health plan consumers are eligible for a minimum of 8 at-home COVID-19 tests in a 30 day period. Carriers have established purchase policies.
---

[News & Insights](https://insights.bukaty.com)

# [OTC COVID-19 tests available at no cost for most consumers](https://insights.bukaty.com/otc_covid19_tests_no_cost_for_private_healthplans)

 Written by [Bukaty Companies](https://insights.bukaty.com/author/bukaty-companies) | January 31, 2022

In response to the Supreme Court ruling they do not have the authority to enforce mandatory vaccination and testing requirements, , OHSA has withdrawn the ETS. 

The Department of Labor released a set of [frequently asked questions](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/aca-part-51.pdf?utm_campaign=2022%20Benefit%20Bulletins&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_tdzBwREKqs_cDHFmLrABhvgKApJxqyf-GEXJ0tYsx-sMAg3shsEpEs1qdlqamoSdxAayq) addressing [reimbursement](https://insights.bukaty.com/bulletins/dol_addresses_reimbursement_otc_covid19_test) for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19, FDA-approved diagnostic tests purchased by individuals with private insurance. Effective January 15, 2022, and through the remainder of the public health emergency, OTC COVID-19 tests can be reimbursed through a health plan.

Health plans are allowed to limit the number and frequency of tests covered without cost sharing per participant to no less than eight tests per 30-day period. Health plans cannot limit COVID-19 tests ordered by health care providers.

The DOL guidance allows for reimbursement of COVID-19 tests after purchase, but incentivizes health plans to provide tests without requiring consumers to pay upfront.  
Health plans that implement network pharmacies and direct-shipping programs that eliminate out-of-pocket costs can limit reimbursement of tests from out-of-network providers and online retailers to $12.

Carrier-specific purchase policies can be found under our [Carrier Notices](https://insights.bukaty.com/bulletins/topic/carrier-notice).

 

[View full post](https://insights.bukaty.com/otc_covid19_tests_no_cost_for_private_healthplans)

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