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Free COVID–19 Testing Act

2/8/2022, 11:23 PM

Congressional Summary of S 3499

Free COVID–19 Testing Act

This bill requires specified public health care programs and private health insurance to cover testing for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) without imposing cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for the duration of the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020. This coverage includes the cost of administering such approved tests and related visits to health care providers.

Specifically, these requirements apply to COVID-19 testing and office visits for individuals covered through (1) Medicare, (2) Medicare Advantage, (3) Medicaid, (4) the Children's Health Insurance Program, (5) the Department of Defense (i.e., TRICARE), (6) the Department of Veterans Affairs, (7) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or (8) the Indian Health Service. Additionally, state Medicaid programs may cover COVID-19 testing and related visits for uninsured individuals during the emergency, and the Department of Health and Human Services must reimburse laboratories for the cost of such tests.

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Current Status of Bill S 3499

Bill S 3499 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 12, 2020. Bill S 3499 was introduced during Congress 116 and was introduced to the Senate on March 12, 2020.  Bill S 3499's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of March 12, 2020

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 3499

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
42
Democrat Cosponsors
40
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
2

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 3499

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Potential Impact Areas

- Appropriations
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Child health
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Disaster relief and insurance
- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Employee benefits and pensions
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Health care costs and insurance
- Health care coverage and access
- Health programs administration and funding
- Health technology, devices, supplies
- Indian social and development programs
- Infectious and parasitic diseases
- Medicaid
- Medical tests and diagnostic methods
- Medicare
- Minority health
- State and local finance

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 3499

Free COVID–19 Testing Act
Free COVID–19 Testing Act
A bill to amend coverage requirements to ensure that no person incurs cost sharing when receiving a test to confirm a COVID-19 infection.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 3499

Tina Smith
Tina Smith
MinnesotaDemocrat
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
MassachusettsDemocrat
Mark R. Warner
Mark R. Warner
VirginiaDemocrat
Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon Whitehouse
Rhode IslandDemocrat
Ron Wyden
Ron Wyden
OregonDemocrat
Chris Van Hollen
Chris Van Hollen
MarylandDemocrat

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