Meg HillingThe Trump administration announced that Medicare will cover coronavirus tests.
According to the administration, coding systems have been established so that health care providers and labs performing the tests can bill Medicare and other health insurers for services that occurred after Feb. 4.
On Twitter, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said, "Medicare's initial payment for the CDC test will be about $36 & non-CDC tests will be around $51. These prices may vary slightly depending on the local Medicare Administrative Contractor."
In addition, the administration says it will also allow Medicare Advantage plans to waive cost sharing for these tests.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are working to negotiate a legislative package with the White House that would include free coronavirus testing for those who need it.
More tests have been ordered as the case numbers for the U.S. climb above 1,700, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
