HHS Sets Aside $4.8 Billion to Reimburse Providers for COVID-19 Testing of Uninsured
- May 28, 2021
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is devoting $4.8 billion to help ensure providers are reimbursed for COVID-19 testing of individuals without insurance, the agency announced May 25.
The COVID-19 Uninsured Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, already has issued nearly $4 billion in testing reimbursements to providers, HHS said. The additional funding was made available under the American Rescue Plan.
The program reimburses providers at national Medicare rates. The program also has issued over $2.5 billion to providers for delivering COVID-19 treatment and more than $85 million for vaccinating the uninsured.
“Testing remains critical and now it’s available at no cost to those who need it,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This funding will help ensure everyone has access to testing regardless of whether they have health insurance.”