Montanans have lots of questions about what their health insurance covers when it comes to the COVID-19. Montana Medicaid will cover uninsured Montanans with COVID-19 testing and treatment. If you are uninsured and looking for coverage, learn more here.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Testing:
To be diagnosed with COVID-19, you must be tested. Testing is usually done at a community testing site, in a clinic, or in an emergency department. Testing location and availability varies by city or town and there is a screening process before someone can get tested. Depending on your area, there may not be a charge to be tested. Just ask during the screening and scheduling process whether there is a charge and if they will bill your insurance.
All private health insurance plans must cover coronavirus testing without any out-of-pockets costs like deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays. Private health insurance carriers cover many employer group plans and plans sold on the Montana Marketplace. In Montana, our Marketplace includes plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, the Montana Health COOP, and PacificSource.
Insurance plans must also cover fees for visits associated with getting a COVID-19 test at a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, or the ER.
Medicaid, Medicare, Healthy Montana Kids, and TRICARE have also waived out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Treatment:
While COVID-19 testing is covered with no out-of-pocket costs, treatment costs depend on an individual’s insurance plan. Every plan is different and many insurance carriers are waiving some out of pocket costs. Contact your insurance carrier directly either by calling the number on your insurance card or finding then online.
Here are some general reminders about using your insurance coverage and may apply with COVID treatment.
- Double check the services and benefits covered under your plan.
- Double check the level of cost sharing for different services.
- You can find this information in your summary of benefits and coverage. Healthcare.gov has this great resource to help you understand how to read your summary of benefits and coverage.
- Double check your plan network to make sure your primary care provider and local hospital are in-network to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Hospital financial assistance
All hospitals have some kind of financial assistance program for folks who are lower income, uninsured, and/or are underinsured and face high out-of-pocket costs despite having insurance coverage.
If you end up receiving COVID-19 treatment in a hospital, ask about their financial assistance and see if you qualify. Eligibility is determined by each hospital.
Short-term Limited Duration Health Plans don’t guarantee coverage
Short-term plans and Healthcare Sharing Ministries are not comprehensive coverage and do not have the same guarantees of coverage. Montanans who are enrolled in these kinds of coverage are still considered uninsured and eligible for the Medicaid coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment. Learn more about short term about short term health plans and COVID-19.
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