You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• You are feeling sick and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.
• Know the symptoms of COVID-19.
• Use Providence’s Assessment Tool to see if you should get tested.


• You’ve had close contact to someone with COVID-19. You should be tested to check for infection at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. The date of last close contact is day 0.
• You are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine and are prioritized for expanded community screening for COVID-19.
• You have been asked or referred to get tested by your healthcare provider, or state, tribal, local, or territorial health department.

You should not get tested for COVID-19 if:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered, as long as you have not developed new symptoms. 

Find a testing site near you

• Visit a Providence testing location
• Visit your state, tribal, or local health department’s website to find a community testing event
• Utilize testing sites in the community (OR / WA).
• Visit your healthcare provider or public health department clinic

COVID-19 test availability changes daily. Call the testing site before you go to learn about testing criteria, availability, and hours.

Visits to the Emergency Department should be limited to medical emergencies. If you need to be tested for COVID-19, please use the resources above to find a convenient testing location.

Beginning January 15, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023, Providence will cover most individual and employer group health plan members’ FDA-authorized Over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, without a doctor’s prescription. This benefit for OTC at-home COVID-19 test includes up to 8 tests per member aged 2 and older every 30 days.

When the public health emergency ends, coverage for some items, such as vaccines and testing will change to align with your plan benefits.

The following changes will occur as of July 1, 2023:

• Over-the-counter testing: Will not be covered.

*ASO groups may determine to cover COVID-19 testing differently.

PHA will cover FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test purchased on January 15, 2022 through April 14, 2022, without a doctor’s prescription. This benefit for OTC at-home COVID-19 test includes up to 8 tests per member every 30 days.

Effective April 15, 2022, members with Original Medicare Part B coverage including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can get up to 8 free OTC at-home COVID-19 tests for each calendar month at authorized pharmacies or other participating entities through the end of the federal public health emergency. Members will be able to receive the OTC COVID-19 tests at no cost and will not need to be reimbursed, as Original Medicare will pay the pharmacy or other entity directly. Bring your red, white and blue Medicare card to get your free tests, even if you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan, in the event the pharmacy needs your Medicare information. You can learn more about this program here.

Effective May 11, 2023, Original Medicare Part B will stop covering OTC at-home COVID-19 tests.

PHA will cover FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test purchased on March 11, 2021 through February 17, 2022, without a doctor’s prescription. This benefit for OTC at-home COVID-19 test includes up to 4 tests per member every 30 days.

PHA will cover FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test purchased on or after February 18, 2022 to September 30, 2024, without a doctor’s prescription. This benefit for OTC at-home COVID-19 test includes up to 8 tests per member every 30 days. 

Orders for free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests from the Federal government supplied by USPS has been suspended since September 2, 2022. However, resources to find a COVID-19 test can be found at https://www.covidtests.gov/.

No, you do not need a prescription for the first eight over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 at-home tests to diagnose the presence of illness for coverage. Visit any Providence pharmacy counter to request one and the pharmacy can bill your insurance directly.

*Note, coverage will be impacted by the end of the COVID-19 PHE. Please refer to the section above titled, “Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-Home COVID-19 Tests” for specific coverage of OTC tests.

All FDA-approved or FDA-authorized diagnostic OTC tests used to diagnose COVID-19. These antigen tests are typically self-administered and self-read, known as “at-home” tests that you can buy without a prescription. View complete FDA-approved OTC tests here, search OTC for easier viewing.

*Note, coverage will be impacted by the end of the COVID-19 PHE. Please refer to the section above titled, “Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-Home COVID-19 Tests” for specific coverage of OTC tests.  

Over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests can detect current COVID-19 infections. OTC COVID-19 tests are convenient as they can give you results in a few minutes and can be taken anywhere, not just in a doctor’s office.

By using OTC COVID-19 tests you can see if you have a COVID-19 infection and can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by taking the appropriate measures of staying at home for at least 5 days and isolating from others in your home. In this way, having OTC COVID-19 tests easily accessible to use can help to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from spreading COVID-19.

OTC COVID-19 tests can be found at retail pharmacy locations or you may order online directly. If you visit an in-network pharmacy, the pharmacist can order and can bill your insurance directly at no cost to you. A list of current in-network pharmacies can be found here.

Direct-to-Home Order through the Costco Pharmacy website. Please note that all Providence members may order and utilize the Costco Pharmacy website. OTC tests contain 5 tests per package; each member is allowed up to 10 tests (2 x 5 test packages) per 30-day period because of this special arrangement with Costco for direct-to-home delivery via the Costco Mail Order Pharmacy.

• Visit costco.com/home-delivery
• Select "Mail Order".
• Sign in or register for a new account (you do not need to be a Costco member).
• To ensure accurate billing and no cost to you, follow these steps for ordering an OTC COVID-19 test.

If you purchase an OTC COVID-19 test directly without insurance, save your receipt and submit your reimbursement by filling out the COVID-19 at-home test reimbursement form and sending it to Providence at the address on the back of your ID card. Effective March 15, 2022*, we will reimburse via direct member reimbursement up to 8 tests per member (up to $12 per test) over a 30-day period.

*Note, reimbursement will be impacted by the end of the COVID-19 PHE. Please refer to the section above titled, “Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-Home COVID-19 Tests” for specific coverage of OTC tests.

Retailers may have per-person limits due to high demand for tests and limited availability. Coverage for OTC Covid-19 tests is currently only planned through the end of the pandemic due to regulations from Health & Human Services. We will update this information as new information becomes available.

If you buy an OTC test through your local in-network pharmacy, you will have no cost share and the pharmacy will bill your health plan directly*.

*Note, reimbursement will be impacted by the end of the COVID-19 PHE. Please refer to the section above titled, “Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-Home COVID-19 Tests” for specific coverage of OTC tests.

If you do not buy your test through a local in-network pharmacy that bills your health plan directly you may submit a COVID-19 at-home test reimbursement form. Follow instructions on the form and include your receipt. Effective March 15, 2022, we will reimburse via direct member reimbursement up to 8 tests per member (up to $12 per test) over a 30-day period.

Yes, you can use your HSA/FSA account. Under previous guidance, the cost of OTC tests for COVID-19 is eligible to be paid or reimbursed under HSA or FSA account for diagnostic purposes only. You are not eligible for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA if you are reimbursed by insurance.

Resources to find a COVID-19 test can be found at https://www.covidtests.gov/.

The Federal Trade Commission published information on how to avoid buying fake COVID-19 test kits. Learn more here.

Providence covers medically appropriate COVID-19 testing. Medically appropriate COVID-19 tests are those that are FDA authorized and approved and ordered or reviewed by a health care professional to either 1) diagnose due to symptoms or potential exposure, or 2) help in the treatment of the virus for a person. Members are encouraged to obtain testing from an in-network laboratory to avoid any potential balance billing.

• Providence generally does not cover COVID-19 testing for public health surveillance or employment purposes. State variations and regulations may apply.
• Remember to visit network health care providers and always show your Providence member ID card for COVID-19 testing or related services.

On and after July 1, 2023: 
For commercial fully insured and ASO* plan members, benefits for COVID-19 testing (including lab testing, direct-to-consumer testing, and over-the-counter testing) aligns with member health plan benefits, specifically:

• Lab testing: Covered when medically necessary at the same benefit and cost share as other medically necessary lab tests (may include a member cost share). 
• Direct-to-consumer testing (i.e., collection taken at member’s home and sent to a lab for processing and results): Will not be covered.

*ASO groups may determine to cover COVID-19 testing differently.

On and after May 12, 2023: 
For Providence Health Assurance (PHA) Medicare Advantage plan members, benefits for COVID-19 testing will be affected as follows:

• Lab testing: laboratory testing related to COVID-19 will align with member health plan benefits. Covered when medically necessary at the same benefit and cost share as other medically necessary lab tests (may include a member cost share).
• Direct-to-consumer testing (i.e., collection taken at member’s home and sent to a lab for processing and results): Will not be covered.
• Testing for employment purposes: Will not be covered.

For Providence Health Assurance (PHA) Medicaid Plan Members

• COVID-19 testing is covered at no cost share to members until September 30, 2024. 

Paxlovid and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) are the first two medications for treatment of COVID-19 authorized by the FDA via emergency use authorization (EUA) to be taken by mouth for individuals who are not hospitalized. 

These two antiviral medications are only available with a prescription from a health care provider and should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset.

Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are not authorized for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.

• Paxlovid is authorized by the FDA for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 for adults as well as children age 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg (88 pounds) who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 because of age or underlying medical conditions.
• Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is authorized by the FDA for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults age 18 and older who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.

As of January 2022, Paxlovid and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) medications are distributed by the federal government and state health departments to select locations where states determined the treatment was needed most. Check your local health department for more information on what locations have access to these medications.

If you recently tested positive for COVID-19, talk to your healthcare provider to see if COVID-19 antiviral medications, Paxlovid or Molnupiravir, taken by mouth are right for you.

Treatment is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccines are the best protection from COVID-19, help to slow transmission of COVID-19, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.

For more information on possible treatment options for COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health Services’ CombatCOVID website. 

Members should first talk to their healthcare provider about treatment options before seeking to take the following medications.

Remdesivir, an antiviral medication, is FDA approved for individuals who are not hospitalized. Remdesivir works by stopping COVID-19 from spreading in the body.

• Remdesivir is approved by the FDA for treatment of COVID-19 for adults as well as children age 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg (88 pounds) who have a positive result of COVID-19 viral testing and are at high risk.
• Remdesivir is authorized by the FDA via EUA for children under age 12 and under 40 kg (88 pounds) who have a positive result of COVID-19 viral testing and are at high risk.
• Remdesivir must be given within 7 days after first symptoms of COVID-19 appear.

HHS also has a national map that displays locations that have received shipments of medication within the past several weeks. Members should talk to their healthcare provider before contacting a location to receive treatment.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a call center available to answer questions and provide information related to monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatments at the following phone numbers: 1-877-332-6585 (English language); 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish language).

Treatment is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccines are the best protection from COVID-19, help to slow transmission of COVID-19, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.

For more information on possible treatment options for COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health Services’ CombatCOVID website. 

COVID-19 therapies that are provided by shipments of U.S. Government can be found on the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response national map: COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator.

Currently, therapy found on the COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator includes:

• Molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
• Paxlovid
• Renal Paxlovid

For more information on possible treatment options for COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health Services’ CombatCOVID website.

Based on the changed genetic make-up of COVID-19 variants, like Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.

COVID-19 treatments that are currently not authorized for use by the FDA due to not being effective against the current COVID-19 variant include the following monoclonal antibody therapies:

• Bebtelovimab
• Bamlanivimab
• Bamlanivimab & Etesevimab
• Casirivimab & Imdevimab (REGN-COV)
• Sotrovimab
• Evusheld  

Per the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA’s EUAs for COVID-19 treatments will not be affected. Existing EUAs for COVID-19 treatments will remain in effect under Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the agency may continue to issue new EUAs going forward when criteria for issuance are met.

Effective 1/1/2022, standard member cost share will apply to medical treatment services for COVID-19. The standard member cost share will be waived for Paxlovid and Molnupiravir medications.

To view your benefits and plan details, log in to your myProvidence account.

No changes will occur to COVID-19 treatment coverage when the COVID-19 PHE ends.