Coronavirus COVID-19 News and Updates
Information About At-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests
Effective March 8, 2024, the federal government has suspended the ordering of free COVID tests through the COVIDtests.gov program.
Valley Health Plan (VHP) members can get at-home over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits at an in-network pharmacy. If the in-network pharmacy does not have kits, VHP will reimburse members up to eight OTC at-home COVID-19 tests per month when received from an out-of-network provider. The maximum reimbursement for each test per member is $12. This includes all costs, such as taxes and shipping fees.
End of Public Health Emergency
November 2023
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), Valley Health Plan (VHP) offered members enhanced COVID-19 benefits at no cost. The federal PHE for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023. Per state guidelines, the following changes will begin on Nov. 12, 2023.
What you need to know
As of Nov. 12, 2023, VHP members may continue to receive COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and therapeutics with no prior authorization or cost-sharing when accessed through in-network doctors and pharmacies.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a retail pharmacy
What’s changing
- COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and therapeutics are subject to cost-sharing when services are received from an out-of-network provider.
- For over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits, you can get the kits at an in-network pharmacy. If the in-network pharmacy does not have kits, VHP will reimburse members up to eight OTC at-home COVID-19 tests per month when received from an out-of-network provider. The maximum reimbursement for each test per member is $12. This includes all costs, such as taxes and shipping fees.
Find more information about free COVID-19 vaccines at ValleyHealthPlan.org/flu-and-covid-season-shots. You can also contact Member Services at 1.888.421.8444 or [email protected].
COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available for Children Under 5 Years Old
July 2022
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized use of Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old. In addition, the CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, advising that they are safe and effective.
How Can Your Child Get Vaccinated?
Contact your child’s doctor for information on where your child can get vaccinated. Please consult with your child’s doctor first if you have specific questions about your child’s past allergies or existing medical conditions.
Vaccine Coverage
If you have your child vaccinated, you will be asked to provide your insurance ID information. VHP will cover Childhood COVID-19 vaccine costs, and you will not be billed.
For More Details Visit
6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children
(cdc.gov)
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
(sccgov.org)
VHP (Telehealth) Policy and Recommendations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Emergency.
VHP's healthcare recommendations and prescription refill policy.
Information About At-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests and Reimbursements.
The federal government is now providing four free at-home COVID-19 test kits to each residential address in the U.S. You do not need to be covered by any insurance plan to be eligible. Order your free-test kits from the federal government at COVIDtests.gov. The free test kits are neither provided nor mailed by Valley Health Plan, and we are unable to answer questions about your order. If you have questions about the federal government’s free test kits, please visit COVIDTests.gov.
In addition to this program, there are many options for VHP members to get tested. Please review this list of County sites and local pharmacies that offer free COVID-19 tests.
Option 1: Visit Approved In-Network Retail Pharmacies
1. Check for availability and visit a retail pharmacy to find an OTC COVID-19 test. You can find our in-network retail pharmacies through our Pharmacy Provider Listing.
2. If in stock, and after finding the OTC COVID-19 test at the in-network retail pharmacy, ask the pharmacist to process the purchase of the test through Navitus, VHP’s pharmacy benefit administrator.
3. If the in-network retail pharmacy is out of at-home tests, see if they are available at approved health centers by following the procedure below.
4. If you need help, or if in-network retail pharmacies are out of stock, please contact Member Services.
Option 2: Visit Approved Health Centers
1. Check this link to locate qualified health centers near you to pick up a zero out-of-pocket cost OTC COVID-19 test : https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html
2. Once you locate a nearby approved health center, please check availability of the test. If available, please pick up your test.
3. If approved health centers are out of stock, please review the information under “Visit Approved Retail Pharmacies.” You can also look at the information under the “Direct Member Reimbursement Options” for reimbursement options for purchase of tests from another pharmacy, store, or online retailer.
4. If you need help, or if approved health centers are out of stock, please contact Member Services.
To learn about reimbursements for purchases of at-home COVID-19 test kits, please see below.
Direct Member Reimbursement of OTC COVID-19 Tests:
If you might want to purchase an OTC COVID-19 test and request reimbursement, please review and follow the process prior to your purchase:
1. Purchase an FDA approved OTC COVID-19 included in the list below: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-antigen-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2
2. If you purchased an approved OTC COVID-19 test, please fill out the reimbursement form.
3. If your reimbursement claim is approved, your purchase cost will be reviewed for reimbursement according to federal requirements, up to a limit of 8 individual OTC COVID-19 tests for every 30-day period starting on January 15th, 2022.
For other questions about zero-cost or reimbursed OTC COVID-19 tests, please contact Member Services at 1.888.421.8444 or by emailing [email protected].