Gov. Tony Evers: All WI Health Insurance Plans Will Cover COVID-19 Tests Saturday

WISCONSIN — All Wisconsin health insurance plans will cover most of the cost of over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests, Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday.

The coverage for COVID-19 tests followed guidelines put forth by the administration of President Joe Biden that required insurance companies to reimburse the cost of COVID-19 tests, Evers said in a statement.

Health plans and insurance companies were given an incentive to set up a network of pharmacies so members can conveniently pick up covered tests.

The requirement applied to private health insurance companies and group health plans, such as those provided by an employer, Evers added.

Insurers can limit the reimbursement of out-of-network purchases to $12 per test. If a Wisconsin resident buys a two-pack of COVID-19 tests through an out-of-network retailer for $34, she can get only $24 to cover the cost of the two tests, the Office of Commissioner of Insurance said in a statement.

Health plans and insurance companies that don't set up a network will have to reimburse the full cost of tests, even if tests cost more than $12, the office said. Plans have to cover eight single tests per month for each person covered by the plan.

Residents were encouraged to take advantage of at-home testing and available local testing clinics to help health care workers keep up with the surge of coronavirus patients in hospitals and clinics, Evers said.

“Testing continues to be a critical component of helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our communities healthy and safe, and thanks to this new requirement, COVID-19 tests are going to be even more accessible for Wisconsinites across our state,” Evers said.

At-home COVID-19 tests may be available at the following retailers in the Milwaukee area.

• CVS.
• Walgreens.
• Pick 'n Save.

Looking for a free COVID-19 test? The following are testing locations and schedules in the Milwaukee metro area.

Northwest Health Center

• 7630 W. Mill Road.
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
  • Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Southside Health Center

• 1639 S. 23rd St.
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
  • Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Menomonee Valley Site

• 2401 W. St. Paul Ave.
  • Noon to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hayat Pharmacy — South Side Testing Site

• 807 W. Layton Ave.
• Open 24 hours a day.

Hayat Pharmacy — North Side Testing Site

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SEE MORE:

• 24-Hour COVID-19 Testing: Where To Get Tested In Milwaukee
• COVID-19 Testing In Waukesha: See Locations