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UPMC Health Plan, Highmark offering reimbursement for COVID tests

UPMC Health Plan and Highmark are both now offering reimbursement for FDA approved COVID-19 tests.

Members covered by their employers or individual plans will be able to seek reimbursement for COVID tests now, in accordance with recent federal requirements.

“UPMC Health Plan is pleased to offer our commercial members the immediate opportunity to mail in documentation of FDA-authorized tests purchased on or after Jan. 15 for reimbursement,” said Mary Beth Jenkins, Chief Operating and Administrative Officer of UPMC Health Plan. “And we will have an online reimbursement portal up and running in the very near future. At any time, Health Plan members can call their Member Service ‘concierges’ for additional information on this or any other COVID-related coverage and assistance questions.”

The Biden Administration required private insurance companies and health plans to cover the cost of eight at-home COVID tests, effective Saturday, Jan. 15.

“Highmark is committed to putting our customers first,” said Thomas Doran, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Highmark Inc. “Throughout the pandemic, we have made it a priority that our members have access to COVID testing, treatment and vaccines because we know these are important tools for keeping our members and our communities healthy and safe. We are prepared to process reimbursement requests beginning on Jan. 15 so that our members have access to diagnostic testing without any financial barriers.”

The mandate does not extend to Medicare members, but UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage and Highmark Medicare Advantage members already receive full COVID-19 testing coverage when tests are ordered by a physician.

Click here to get your UPMC Health Plan reimbursement form.

Click here to get your Highmark reimbursement form.