By Elizabeth Hunt

Across the world, people are facing fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but Medicare recipients can find some peace of mind in the knowledge that there are protections in place should they need coronavirus-related medical services.

We’ve addressed some of the most common questions about COVID-19 and Medicare services below.

Does Medicare cover coronavirus testing?

Yes – Medicare will cover the required lab tests for COVID-19 with no associated out-of-pocket costs for those with both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Will Medicare cover the coronavirus vaccine?

While there is no current vaccination for COVID-19, Medicare will cover a vaccine when it becomes available. Under the CARES Act, Medicare Part B is required to cover a COVID-19 vaccine with no cost sharing. Medicare Advantage plans will also cover this vaccine.

What other coronavirus costs does Medicare cover?

Medicare covers FDA-authorized antibody tests for individuals with a known or suspected COVID-19 infection. Medicare also covers all medically necessary hospitalizations.

More information on Medicare and coronavirus is available at medicare.gov.

Be on the lookout for COVID-19 scams

Unfortunately, there are numerous accounts of scammers attempting to take advantage of vulnerable individuals through Medicare-related scams. This comes in the form of offering something like free masks or COVID testing in exchange for a Medicare number. Keep in mind that Medicare will never reach out and ask for any personal information, and the agency will never attempt to sell anything. It’s important to remind elderly loved ones of this so that they are aware of the risks.

Keep your loved ones safe by reminding them never to provide any personal information to someone who has reached out to them, and if something doesn’t seem quite right, they can feel confident that they’ll be safe by reaching out to Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.