Información sobre pruebas de Covid para hacer en el hogar

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Por qué debería considerar un cliente comprar una prueba de COVID-19 para hacer en casa en lugar de ir gratis a un centro de pruebas local?

Puede realizar estas pruebas en la comodidad de su casa y las pueden usar personas con o sin síntomas. Estas opciones le permiten a los clientes acceder a pruebas que se pueden realizar en casa y cumplen con el compromiso de CVS Health® de brindarle a los clientes acceso a los servicios integrales de pruebas de COVID-19.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una prueba PCR y una de antígenos?

Una prueba PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa) es un tipo de prueba molecular que suele requerir que se envíe la muestra de un paciente a un laboratorio para su análisis. Los resultados pueden demorar desde varias horas a algunos días después de que el laboratorio recibe la muestra. Una prueba PCR puede detectar niveles bajos de material genético viral (p. ej., ARN), por lo que estas pruebas suelen ser muy sensibles, lo que significa que son buenas para detectar un resultado positivo real.

Una prueba de antígenos, o una prueba rápida de antígenos, detecta las proteínas virales y proporciona resultados en menos de una hora. Estas pruebas suelen ser menos sensibles que las pruebas moleculares, pero puede obtener resultados más rápidos.

Puede comprar su propia prueba de antígenos o PCR para hacerse en casa. La muestra de la prueba PCR en casa debe enviarse por correo postal al laboratorio para su análisis.

¿Qué es una autorización de uso de emergencia (EUA)?

La FDA de los Estados Unidos puso a disposición pruebas de detección del COVID-19 para hacerse en casa de conformidad con un mecanismo de acceso de emergencia llamado Autorización de Uso de Emergencia (EUA). La EUA cuenta con el respaldo de la declaración del Secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS) en la que explica que existen circunstancias que justifican el uso de pruebas de diagnóstico (IVD) de emergencia para la detección y/o el diagnóstico del virus que causa el COVID-19. Una IVD que está disponible en virtud de una EUA no fue sometida al mismo tipo de revisión que una aprobada por la FDA. La FDA puede otorgar una EUA cuando se reúnen determinados criterios, que incluyen que no haya alternativas adecuadas, aprobadas o disponibles y que, con base en toda la evidencia científica disponible, es razonable considerar que esta IVD podría ser efectiva para el diagnóstico del COVID-19. La EUA para esta prueba permanecerá vigente mientras esté vigente la declaración en el marco del COVID-19 que justifica el uso de emergencia de IVD, excepto que se cancele o revoque (después de lo cual estas pruebas ya no podrán utilizarse).

¿Qué son las pruebas seriadas de detección del COVID-19?

Las pruebas seriadas de detección del COVID-19 son aquellas en las que una persona se hace la prueba de detección del COVID-19 varias veces, como rutina, por ejemplo todos los días o día por medio. Al hacerse pruebas más frecuentes, puede detectar el COVID-19 más rápidamente y reducir la propagación de la infección.

Why are my at-home COVID-19 tests no longer covered if my insurance has not changed?

El gobierno federal anunció que la Emergencia de Salud Pública por el COVID-19 (PHE) finalizó el 11 de mayo de 2023. Como resultado, las aseguradoras individuales y sus clientes ahora toman decisiones de cobertura en base a qué es lo mejor para los diseños de sus planes individuales. Los clientes y pacientes deben consultar con su aseguradora para obtener información sobre la cobertura actual para determinar le elegibilidad para las pruebas para hacerse en casa.

How are the tests paid for?

CVS Pharmacy 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:

CVS Pharmacy patients with eligible commercial or group health insurance can visit CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app 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 CVS.com or use the CVS Pharmacy app to search for at-home COVID-19 tests at nearby CVS Pharmacy locations

• Select a nearby CVS Pharmacy with tests available, then enter prescription insurance information (use ID cards that display RX BIN, RX PCN information)

• Provide an email and phone number to receive notifications with updates on their order status

• Head to the CVS Pharmacy they selected for fast and easy store pickup using their name and order number at the front checkout

For security purposes, CVS.com patients will be asked to log in to their account. New customers are required to register for a CVS.com account prior to providing their insurance information.

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 CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app pay today and get reimbursed option; or

Visit a local CVS Pharmacy 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 CVS pharmacy counter:

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

When ordering online for store pickup, where do I go for my order?

Online orders of at-home test kits will be available in dedicated locations at the front of store checkout at CVS Pharmacy, 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.

Can I pick up my order at the drive-thru?

At this time at-home COVID-19 test orders may only be picked up inside our stores.

How long do I have to pick up my order?

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

Are CVS Pharmacy locations within Target and Schnucks included?

Eligible patients with commercial health plans and Medicare may present their prescription insurance information at CVS Pharmacy locations within Target to obtain tests. CVS Pharmacy locations inside Schnucks are not participating at this time.

Can I order online and have my tests delivered?

Yes. Customers with participating commercial health plans have the option to order tests through CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app and have them delivered for a fee. Delivery is FREE for ExtraCare Plus members.

What if my local store does not have inventory?

We have worked with our vendors to significantly increase the amount of inventory of at-home COVID-19 tests. Consumers will be given a choice of nearby pharmacies with inventory during the online ordering process.

How can consumers without insurance get at-home COVID-19 test kits?

Consumers without insurance can go to CVS.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.

What information will I need to provide to order the at-home tests?

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)

• Nombre

• Fecha de nacimiento

• Number of desired tests

• Desired pick-up location.

Are digital claims run through the prescription benefit or medical benefit?

Digital claims are run through the patient's commercial or group health plan prescription benefit.

I received a message that my insurance was unable to be billed. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones?

Consumers will be notified of their available options if their insurance is unable to be billed. Depending on availability, options may include either paying out-of-pocket at their local CVS Pharmacy or paying out-of-pocket and having the tests delivered. Consumers are also encouraged to contact their insurance provider to discuss reimbursement options. 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.

How many tests are covered?

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.

Does CVS Pharmacy have product limits for COVID-19 at-home tests?

At this time, we do not have limits on at-home COVID-19 tests in our stores or online.

What if I have a prescription for a test?

Patients with a prescription for an at-home COVID-19 test should go to the CVS pharmacy counter as they would any other prescription. Patients without a prescription should purchase at-home COVID-19 tests at the front of store checkout.

Are at-home COVID-19 tests eligible for returns at CVS stores?

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

¿Las pruebas de detección del COVID-19 para hacerse en casa son elegibles para las HSA/FSA?

Las pruebas de detección del COVID-19 para hacerse en casa pueden ser elegibles para una HSA o FSA; sin embargo, cada compañía aseguradora es la que determina la cobertura. Contacte a su aseguradora para confirmar la cobertura.

¿Las pruebas de COVID-19 para hacerse en casa son elegibles para recibir promociones y descuentos con cupones?

La pruebas de COVID-19 para hacerse en casa no son elegibles para descuentos con cupones y promociones, incluso recompensas ExtraBucks Rewards®.

If I already ordered at-home COVID-19 tests from another source (Federal program, at another store location, etc.) can I still receive tests from CVS Pharmacy as well?

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.

I have trouble ordering online. Is that the only option for ordering the at-home COVID-19 tests from CVS Pharmacy?

In order to accommodate various patient needs, CVS Pharmacy offers the following options to obtain at-home COVID 19 test kits:

• Digital Options:

  • Order digitally and have tests delivered

  • Order digitally and pick up in store

• Order digitally, pay upfront and get reimbursed CVS Pharmacy Options:

  • Local CVS Pharmacy front store purchase and get reimbursed

  • Local CVS Pharmacy in-pharmacy insurance claim (in-pharmacy claim required for Medicare and Medicaid plans)

As inventory and options can vary by location, we suggest patients check availability online before heading into a store location if possible.