Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of COVID-19? Have you potentially been exposed to COVID-19 and want to get tested right away? Good news! Your TRS-ActiveCare or TRS-Care Standard plan will now cover up to eight over-the-counter at-home tests per covered person in your household every month. 

As of Jan. 15, new COVID-19 testing guidelines from the federal administration have incentivized insurers to cover the costs of at-home tests and expand Americans’ access to free testing. In addition, the federal government is also providing up to 50 million free at-home tests to community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics (subject to availability). 

To take advantage of this new program, just purchase FDA-approved COVID-19 tests from any local pharmacy and submit a claim form along with your receipts to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). Reimbursement requests may be made by fax, email, or standard mail. Note: Reimbursement may take up to 30–45 days.

Although federal guidelines did not extend at-home COVID-19 test coverage to Medicare plans, physician-ordered tests performed in a physician’s office or lab will continue to be covered through the Public Health Emergency period (currently until April 15, 2022).

For more information on federal guidelines and test coverage, locations, and possible scams, visit the COVID-19: Your TRS Health Plan Resources page on the TRS website and click on the COVID-19 Test Coverages block.