Covid test for travel not covered by insurance?

Just wanting some general feedback here. Are most people finding that their Covid tests for travel are NOT covered by insurance? I'm talking about the ones taken PRE-travel, not ones on SXM. I have zero expectation that test costs outside the US will be covered. We have Medicare and a supplement. I called the supplement people and the person I talked to didn't have the faintest clue. It seems that the website info on most sites seems to say they will submit to insurance for you, but probably it won't be covered.

I have tried to call the various labs, but am having a really hard time getting anyone to actually answer a phone call with regard to this question, but it seems to be the case that probably it will not be covered. That is OK, but just wanting some confirmation, as far as what most people are experiencing. Definitely plan on taking cost into consideration---along with how long results take--when booking a lab.

It seems that here in Florida they are running free testing sites, even for travel, but there are none within 1.5 hours of here.

I think it might depend on location and place of testing. The State testing sites in both MA and RI are no charge (travel as a reason for testing)

Edit: I don't know where you are located except for "Central FL" but Orlando has a drive through free testing site

We are having the same problem/question. If you have an AFC Urgent Care in your area, they are telling me that the will take our insurance so there would be no cost from them for the test. Having said that, I don't know if my insurance will actually pay for it. I believe that it depends on every individuals own type of insurance. I'm sure it differs from carrier to carrier. If we have to pay so be it. At least they are close by to where we live.

we are in Florida, too, and are planning to leave for SXM March 26. We will have a pcr test on Sunday and if no results back by Wed. will get a rapid antigen. I guess we shall just have to see how this plays out. Hope that in a few months--if you are vaccinated, and the numbers in both the States and the Island are down that all this might go away.

Good luck to you--and to us as well!!

boucharda--right, Florida has free sites, but only in the large population centers. As I said, none within 1.5 hours of here.

sammy--I will look for that provider around here, but it doesn't sound familiar.

Ours were free at our local pharmacy. I am assuming the filed it with our insurance company.

lhbsurf--How long ago was that? Do you know whether the insurance company actually paid? What I am seeing is that they will SUBMIT it to insurance, but that doesn't mean that insurance will actually pay. As in, you don't have to pay up front, but eventually they will send you a bill.

I wonder if it would go towards your deductible.

Actually, in MY case, I have no deductible..

Both our tests to leave US were insurance/government paid we were told if our insurance didn't pay the government would. We have Medicare supplement. In St Martin we got antigen test for free from French Red Cross in Hope Estate. Both tests were delivered on time. 0

Our test and lab were two separate items. The test was not paid; the lab was. We didn't try to file the test with Medicare or our supplement, so I guess it might have been covered if we had filed for reimbursement after the fact.

The lab we went to in Florida in January advertised 'tests for travel' and stated right up front that they do not take insurance. Since I could not find a testing agency with the proper test near me here in NY, I gladly paid out of pocket for our tests.

When going just don't tell locals that the test is for travel or say you have symptoms. Just say you THINK you came in contact with someone infected. As far as the return test in SXM we plan to absorb the cost as part of the vacation cost.

We used Passport Heath in Michigan. The test itself was not covered ($150) but the lab part was. I have Medicare and AARP Supp. John has Blue cross.

In Nov. I was told (in MA) I might NOT be covered for travel and submitted my insurance cards. Have yet to be billed.

OK, kind of sounds like what I thought, it's a mishmash. I don't understand the difference between the cost for the test versus the cost for the lab. But we can just plan on paying out of pocket, which is what I thought.

Carol, think of it this way. When you go to your Doctor and he or she draws blood. There's a charge for the Dr. drawing the blood and then a separate charge by a lab for analyzing the blood. Tow separate line items on the medicare monthly statement.

Actually we always go to Quest for our blood tests, not our regular doctor. For years, our insurance had a zero co-pay if we went to Quest and we always did it that way. Much easier than going to the doctor for it, especially when it was a fasting test.

But that does give me an explanation of the difference.

Carol,

Did you ask Quest?

i

the place where I normally go to Quest, they do NOT do Covid testing there. Not sure why. I didn't look online to see if there is another Quest place around here close.

I just did. Just type in Quest Covid test and you get the entire story.
Plus MCare should pick it up.
Michael has MCare and BC supplemental and he didn't pay anything.
Had his done at U of M hospital.
Cheers
irina

Irina--OK, thanks. Will check out the Quest website..