ADVISORY
No. 240 February 8, 2022
COVID-19 Home Test Kit Coverage
Testing is vitally important to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) and
to diagnose COVID-19 quickly so that it can be effectively treated. Over-the-Counter
(OTC) diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests for home use are convenient, efficient, and
accurate in rapidly detecting the presence of certain proteins on the surface of the virus
that causes COVID-19.
This Advisory applies to Participants enrolled in the Maryland Fee-for-Service (FFS)
program and Participants enrolled in Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that participate
in the Maryland HealthChoice Program.
Effective February 17, 2022, Maryland Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) will expand
access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) and/or
FDA approved OTC COVID at-home tests for Maryland Medicaid Participants.
Maryland Medicaid will cover a maximum of four tests every rolling 30 days. Tests may be
selected from the list in Table 2 and mixed and matched between kits for a total of four
tests. Coverage of additional test kits exceeding the quantity limit described above will
require prior authorization. Participant copayment will not apply.
The ninth amendment to the COVID 19 PREP Act Declaration provides liability immunity
to licensed pharmacists and expands the scope of authority for them to order and
administer select COVID 19 therapeutics to populations authorized by the FDA. If the
participant does not have an order from a prescriber, prior to ordering an OTC COVID-19
at-home test, the pharmacist shall gather and document the following information and
retain it in the record just as any other prescription: