Tests and Testing Sites

Getting Tested

If you think you may have the virus or have been exposed to someone who has it:

• Call your doctor. Your doctor can order a COVID-19 diagnostic test and coordinate your testing at an in-network lab or pharmacy.
• If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at the Customer Service number on your BCBSTX member ID card.
• You can also find an in-network doctor by logging in to Blue Access for Members^SM or downloading the BCBSTX app¹ to use our Provider Finder^®.

Some things to know about testing:

• Your health plan covers FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic testing at no cost until the end of the public health emergency on May 11, 2023. 
• Some testing locations may not be in your health plan’s network.
• Some labs may not provide testing without a doctor’s order.
• COVID-19 diagnostic tests will be covered at your regular benefit level after the end of the public health emergency.

Testing sites

Not all testing sites are the same. To make sure the associated costs for getting diagnostic tests are covered by your BCBSTX plan:

• Find out if the testing provider is in your health plan’s network. Some testing locations may not be in your health plan’s network, particularly if they aren’t part of a medical group or facility.
• Ask your doctor to refer you to an in-network testing site. Some labs and hospitals may not provide testing without a doctor’s order.
• Find out if the testing site is charging a separate/additional fee to give you the test, and exercise caution if visiting a non-State regulated or out-of-network “pop-up” testing site which may not have the same standards or billing practices as an in-network provider with your health plan. 

At-home testing

• If you have employer coverage, or an individual or family plan, you can get FDA-authorized, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for diagnosing COVID-19 through your BCBSTX/Prime Therapeutics^® pharmacy benefits until the end of the public health emergency on May 11, 2023.
• If you use a pharmacy in Prime’s network, you should not have to submit a separate claim when you buy the tests at the pharmacy counter.
• Your plan covers up to 8 tests every 30 days per covered person. (For example, you can buy 4 boxes that include 2 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.)
• Find complete details in our FAQs.
• If you have Medicare Part B (includes Medicare Advantage), you can get up to 8 free over-the-counter tests each month, until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. You may need to show your red, white and blue Medicare identification card. Find more information here.
• Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will not be covered by your medical or pharmacy benefits after the end of the public health emergency.