HHS is dedicating $4.8 billion in ARP funds for COVID-19 testing for the uninsured
Testing is seen as one of the necessary preventive measures being taken to keep the virus under control.
Photo: seskan MonKhonkhamsao/Getty Images
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is earmarking $4.8 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program, HHS announced this week.
The funding will ostensibly allow the program to continue reimbursing healthcare providers for testing uninsured Americans for COVID-19. As of May 19, the program has issued nearly $4 billion in testing reimbursements to providers.
Along with the nation's ongoing vaccine push, testing is seen as one of the necessary preventive measures being taken to keep the virus under control and prevent it from spreading. Even as an increasing number of people get their first and second vaccine doses, testing and contact tracing will remain valuable mitigation tactics until herd immunity among the populace is achieved.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
The COVID-19 Uninsured Program enables HRSA to help improve uninsured individuals' access to COVID-19 treatment and vaccinations. The program reimburses providers at national Medicare rates for providing these services. As of May 19, 2021, the program has issued more than $2.5 billion toward reimbursing providers for delivering COVID-19 treatment and more than $85 million for vaccinating the uninsured.
As part of the program, HHS provides claims reimbursement to healthcare providers generally at Medicare rates for testing uninsured individuals for COVID-19, treating those with a positive diagnosis and administering COVID-19 vaccines.
A separate program, the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund, is available to reimburse providers for vaccine administration to underinsured individuals whose health plan either does not include COVID-19 vaccination as a covered benefit, or covers vaccine administration but with cost-sharing.
There are about 29 million uninsured people living in the U.S., according to HHS data. The Biden Administration has placed a focus on decreasing the uninsured rate, exemplified by the more than one million people who have enrolled into health coverage through the Special Enrollment Period. But efforts to cut into the uninsured rate are expected to continue.
Providing funding for the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program is seen by the administration as key to removing cost impediments so that anyone exposed to COVID-19 may seek appropriate testing and care.
THE LARGER TREND
Testing has been a priority for HHS the past few months, as the agency released funding in March aimed at helping schools reopen and expanding access to COVID-19 testing and treatments among underserved populations. The agency set aside $12 billion for testing at that time, much of it for schools to buttress their screening programs for teachers, staff and students.
Private companies are also getting into the testing game, including CVS Pharmacy, the retail arm of CVS Health, which is making over-the-counter testing options available in its physical and virtual stores. The tests can be conducted at home.
Amazon is also muscling into the space, saying it's considering launching an at-home COVID-19 testing kit in June, and perhaps other tests as well, including ones for respiratory and sexually transmitted infections. The company landed Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in March for a COVID-19 test kit with at-home sample collection.
ON THE RECORD
"Focusing on the underserved and eliminating health access barriers for vulnerable communities is a core part of our mission," said acting HRSA Administrator Diana Espinosa. "To truly return to normal after the pandemic, we must continue to test, treat and vaccinate everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status."
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com
