These tests provide convenient at-home testing intended for use by individuals with or without symptoms. These options provide customers with access to testing that can be conducted at home and complement the Pharmaneek commitment to providing consumers with access to comprehensive COVID-19 testing services.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a type of molecular test that often requires a patient sample to be sent to a lab for analysis. Getting results can take anywhere from several hours to days after being received at the lab. A PCR test can sense low levels of viral genetic material (e.g., RNA), so these tests are usually highly sensitive, which means they are good at detecting a true positive result.

An antigen test, or rapid antigen test, detects viral proteins and provides results in less than an hour. Antigen tests tend to be less sensitive than molecular tests, but you are able to get results more quickly.

You may purchase your own antigen test or PCR test to perform yourself at home. The at-home PCR test sample has to be mailed to a lab for analysis.

The United States FDA has made at-home COVID-19 tests available under an emergency access mechanism called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The EUA is supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Services' (HHS) declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency use of diagnostics (IVDs) for the detection and/or diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID-19. An IVD made available under an EUA has not undergone the same type of review as an FDA- approved or cleared IVD. The FDA may issue an EUA when certain criteria are met, which includes that there are no adequate, approved, available alternatives, and based on the totality of scientific evidence available, it is reasonable to believe that this IVD may be effective in diagnosing COVID-19. The EUA for this test is in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 declaration justifying emergency use of IVDs, unless terminated or revoked (after which these tests may no longer be used).

COVID-19 serial testing occurs when one person tests themselves multiple times for COVID-19 on a routine basis, such as every day or every other day. By testing more frequently, you may detect COVID-19 more quickly and reduce spread of infection.

On Jan. 10, 2022, the Federal Government announced guidance requiring commercial insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of at-home diagnostic tests, also known as over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests, without involvement of a health care provider.

Below are details outlined in the guidance, which became effective on January 15, 2022:

Health plans are required to cover a maximum of eight (8) at-home COVID-19 tests without a prescription. For at-home COVID-19 test kits that contain two (2) tests per kit, a maximum of four (4) kits every 30 days are covered.

Health plans are required to have a reimbursement process for members purchasing at-home tests (up to the limit), whether purchased online or in-person.

A plan may also choose to establish a process for upfront direct coverage if members can purchase the at-home tests through the plan’s network of pharmacies and retailers.

If a plan has both a network of pharmacies/retailers and a direct-to-consumer shipping program, the plan may limit post-service reimbursement for at-home tests purchased at non-preferred providers to $12 per test.

Beginning April 4, 2022, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled with Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage can obtain eight (8) at-home COVID-19 tests every 30 days at no out-of-pocket cost at the pharmacy counter at most CVS Pharmacy locations, including those within Target stores, following a new CMS initiative.

Pharmaneek offers several options for patients to access at-home COVID-19 tests through your prescription benefit plan. Because processes may differ across commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans, patients should also contact their insurance provider to confirm the coverage policy and claims submission process.

Commercial and Group Health Plans:

1. Digital Option with no upfront cost:

Pharmaneek patients with eligible commercial or group health insurance can visit pharmaneek.com to utilize a digital service that simplifies the process for locating, ordering, and picking up at-home COVID-19 test kits with zero upfront out-of-pocket cost and without the need for the patients to submit a claim to their health insurance provider. To check availability and order tests, patients should:

• Visit pharmaneek.com to search for at-home COVID-19 tests at the Pharmaneek pharmacy location.
• Provide an email and phone number to receive notifications with updates on their order status
• Head to the Pharmaneek pharmacy for fast and easy store pickup using their name and order number at the front checkout

2. Pay Today and Get Reimbursed:

Patients who may be ineligible for advance reimbursement, or patients who choose to purchase pay for the kits upfront and submit receipts directly to their insurer may:

Order at-home COVID-19 test kits for delivery through pharmaneek.com pay today and get reimbursed option; or

Visit a local Pharmaneek and purchase test kits directly at the checkout at the front of the store

Patients are strongly encouraged to save their receipt(s) as they may need to submit them to their insurer.

3. Request OTC Test Kits through your insurance at the Pharmaneek counter:

Members of participating commercial insurance plans may access tests with no up-front cost by visiting the pharmacy counter at their local Pharmaneek pharmacy. Please remember to bring your pharmacy benefit ID card(s). Look for the cards that contain the RX BIN and RX PCN information.

Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage Plans:

Members of these plans may access tests at no up-front cost by visiting the pharmacy counter at their local Pharmaneek pharmacy and presenting their Medicare Beneficiary ID card (red/white/blue) and/or Medicare Advantage ID card.

Medicaid Fee for Service and Managed Care Plans:

Please contact your insurer to confirm program coverage policy as many state Medicaid programs require a prescription from your medical provider.

Effective April 4, 2022, Medicare will cover up to eight (8) at-home COVID-19 tests per person every 30 days or four (4) two-test, rapid antigen at-home tests every 30 days without a prescription. Coverage is available for members eligible with Medicare Part B FFS or Medicare Advantage Benefits. Please visit your local CVS Pharmacy or request-at-home tests be billed to Medicare Part B FSS Program. You must provide your Medicare Beneficiary ID (MBI) from your Medicare red, white, or blue card. Some Medicare Advantage plans maybe also provide coverage under the Part B or Enhanced OTC benefits, please check with your Medicare Advantage plan for coverage details.

If you are a Medicaid member, please note that state policies vary as to whether a prescription is required. Please check with your insurer about coverage for at-home COVID-19 tests.

Online orders of at-home test kits will be available at our store location, and each location will be clearly marked when entering the store. Consumers may proceed to the front of store checkout and provide their name and order number to retrieve their order.

Consumers will have 72 hours from when the order is placed to pick up their order.

Yes. Customers with participating commercial health plans have the option to order tests through pharmaneek.com and have them delivered for a fee.

Consumers without insurance can go to pharmaneek.com, place an order to pay out-of-pocket for tests, and have them delivered. Consumers can also purchase directly and pay out-of-pocket at a participating CVS Pharmacy.

The Federal government is also offering free at-home COVID-19 tests through mail delivery. More information on this program can be found at www.COVIDtests.gov.

To obtain tests digitally with no up-front cost, patients with commercial or group health insurance will need to provide:

• Their prescription insurance information (RX BIN, RX PCN, RX Group, Cardholder ID)
• Name
• Date of birth
• Number of desired tests

Most commercial and group health plans are required to cover a maximum of eight (8) at-home COVID-19 tests without a prescription. For at-home COVID-19 test kits that contain two (2) tests per kit, a maximum of four (4) kits every 30 days are covered.

Medicare will cover up to eight (8) at-home COVID-19 tests without a prescription within a 30 day calendar period.

Medicaid program policies differ per state. Please refer to your insurer for coverage policy details.

No. All at-home COVID-19 test kit sales are final.

At-home COVID-19 tests may be HSA/FSA eligible; however, coverage is determined by individual insurance companies. Please contact your insurer to confirm coverage.

Consumers are encouraged to check with their insurer to determine how many remaining tests may still be eligible for reimbursement this month. Consumers paying out-of-pocket and not through their health insurance plan can purchase as many at-home COVID-19 tests as they would like.