SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's Department of Health has announced it will expand Medicaid to cover COVID-19 testing for people who are uninsured.
In a statement released Monday, the agency said it would cover coronavirus-related testing and services including antibodies, X-rays and other things.
"To qualify, an individual must be uninsured, and meet citizenship and Utah residency requirements. Individuals are considered uninsured if they are not enrolled in another federal health care program, such as Medicare or Veterans Health Administration coverage, or a commercial group or individual health plan," the agency said.
A decision will be made in two to three days if a person qualifies. If approved, coverage begins the first day of the application month.
"The application also serves as a full Medicaid and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) application, unless the person opts-out. It may take up to 30 days for a decision to be made. If the individual does not qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, the COVID-19 Uninsured Testing Coverage will continue until the last day of the month in which the public health emergency ends. If the individual qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, the COVID-19 Uninsured Testing Coverage will end but the individual will receive enhanced medical coverage through a regular Medicaid or CHIP program, which includes COVID-19 testing and treatment," UDOH said.
More information and details for both patients and providers is available on the Medicaid website https://medicaid.utah.gov/covid-19-uninsured-testingcoverage/.
