Rare KKB Posted June 30, 2022 #1 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Yesterday HHS announced it is no longer paying for COVID tests unless you are displaying symptoms. Some people have had a nasty surprise when Walgreens said their tests would run $128 each! Now, no info as to whether insurance will cover these for travel purposes. Might be incentive to order those proctored home tests for vastly less. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinRobin Posted June 30, 2022 #2 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Can you please post a link for that announcement? I can't find it on the HHS.gov website. I don't know if my private insurance will follow along and not pay if we don't have exposure or symptoms. I want to do some research before I have to shell out money for 5 people in 2 weeks! That was not part of my cruise budget for sure. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw67 Posted June 30, 2022 #3 Share Posted June 30, 2022 This might be why my son is having trouble scheduling a PCR that he needs for a camp he is going to be a counselor next month! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted June 30, 2022 #4 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I expected testing to be gone by the end of this month. Things are moving a little slower than I thought. I don't think it's going to last much longer in any case. 10 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted June 30, 2022 #5 Share Posted June 30, 2022 5 minutes ago, mz-s said: I expected testing to be gone by the end of this month. Things are moving a little slower than I thought. I don't think it's going to last much longer in any case. 🤞🙏 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted June 30, 2022 #6 Share Posted June 30, 2022 We sail in august. I wonder if it will be gone by then. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KKB Posted June 30, 2022 Author #7 Share Posted June 30, 2022 1 hour ago, RockinRobin said: Can you please post a link for that announcement? I can't find it on the HHS.gov website. I don't know if my private insurance will follow along and not pay if we don't have exposure or symptoms. I want to do some research before I have to shell out money for 5 people in 2 weeks! That was not part of my cruise budget for sure. didn't believe it either. Was reported by a person on another cruise forum. On Google it still says free but once I clicked on Walgreens, this came up: The blue pop up is new. Hey if yours still covers--AWESOME. Always better to be prepared. On Point Testing will also virtually proctor your free home test for $15. (news to me--tucking that in my back pocket for our numerous upcoming cruises) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KKB Posted June 30, 2022 Author #8 Share Posted June 30, 2022 19 minutes ago, mz-s said: I expected testing to be gone by the end of this month. Things are moving a little slower than I thought. I don't think it's going to last much longer in any case. I hope you are right, but I am doubting it. The latest variant is rearing it's ugly head in Europe again & we are usually close behind. Cruise ships are so vulnerable to spread. CEOS want to keep ships on the seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted June 30, 2022 #9 Share Posted June 30, 2022 16 minutes ago, KKB said: I hope you are right, but I am doubting it. The latest variant is rearing it's ugly head in Europe again & we are usually close behind. Cruise ships are so vulnerable to spread. CEOS want to keep ships on the seas. There will be a new variant either coming, here, or on it's way out, for the rest of our lives. 25 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank12 Posted June 30, 2022 #10 Share Posted June 30, 2022 6 minutes ago, mz-s said: There will be a new variant either coming, here, or on it's way out, for the rest of our lives. I agree. Covid is here to stay. Knock off this stupid testing. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare craig01020 Posted June 30, 2022 #11 Share Posted June 30, 2022 38 minutes ago, KKB said: The latest variant is rearing it's ugly head in Europe again If you're vaxxed, it's not that ugly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land64shark Posted July 1, 2022 #12 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I scheduled mine with CVS. I think you do need symptoms or maybe exposure. It asked if I had any symptoms in the last 14 days. Of course I've had fatigue and a headache since then, so no lie! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierpop Posted July 1, 2022 #13 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I think the cost of testing is going to go up just like testing for anything else. But in the meantime, it’s not like CVS needs to know it’s for travel. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyloRen Posted July 1, 2022 #14 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I found the 6 pack of emed tests a great deal. Sucks that yall can’t get it covered from here on out but at least they aren’t super expensive though emed 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 1, 2022 #15 Share Posted July 1, 2022 5 hours ago, KKB said: Yesterday HHS announced it is no longer paying for COVID tests unless you are displaying symptoms. Some people have had a nasty surprise when Walgreens said their tests would run $128 each! Now, no info as to whether insurance will cover these for travel purposes. Might be incentive to order those proctored home tests for vastly less. I have yet to pay for a covid test, but all don't use Walgreens or CVS. All you have to do is cough or (pick a symptom) and it should be covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameronp12 Posted July 1, 2022 #16 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I don’t believe the results they email to you change based on whether or not you designate the test “for travel” when you sign up. If you have had ANYTHING in the last 14 days that could be considered a symptom (literally even if you’ve coughed once), go ahead and list that symptom, so that there’s a good chance your insurance will pay for it. They don’t also need to know you’re traveling. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted July 1, 2022 #17 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Of all the companies I am comfortable lying to, my health insurance ranks pretty low. This testing song and dance needs to end. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameronp12 Posted July 1, 2022 #18 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Agreed the testing needs to go! I think this is a pretty low risk thing to lie about if people want to save money, considering how prevalent covid symptoms are in everyday life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingFromLA Posted July 1, 2022 #19 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Just say that you were a close contact to someone that just tested positive. There you go, it is now covered by your health insurance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 1, 2022 #20 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Wow. People willing to lie to get on a ship, lie while on a ship, lie after a cruise, have limits? Anyway, I've always been honest that the tests were for travel. I have no control over what the doctor writes on the order. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted July 1, 2022 #21 Share Posted July 1, 2022 36 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: Wow. People willing to lie to get on a ship, lie while on a ship, lie after a cruise, have limits? Anyway, I've always been honest that the tests were for travel. I have no control over what the doctor writes on the order. Darn it, I agree with you. I answer the questions honestly. My next cruise is Alaska so my health insurance would be used should I need COVID treatment there. I should lie to get a "free" (someone is paying for it) test in Seattle, 2200 miles from home and then need treatment in Alaska? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradestock Posted July 1, 2022 #22 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Some insurance companies have never covered the COVID test for travel, even after the presidential suggestion for reimbursement. My husband and I have always paid for the test out of our pocket and considered it an additional cost of the cruise. We thought it unethical to declare we were ill two days out for a free test and then experience a lapse of memory on the Carnival health assessment and port questions. We try to utilize the three Cs: candor, courage and commitment; even though not always cheaper. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted July 1, 2022 #23 Share Posted July 1, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, BlerkOne said: I have yet to pay for a covid test, but all don't use Walgreens or CVS. All you have to do is cough or (pick a symptom) and it should be covered. One would have to lie to one or the other - either the insurance company to get the test free, or lie to Carnival and say they don't have symptoms on their health assessment form to get on the ship. I'm not really OK with the lie and would prefer the testing just goes away. Edited July 1, 2022 by mz-s 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattrohead Posted July 1, 2022 #24 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Exposure to someone that might have it was also covered, cases are up 32% in the UK and locally around here people are getting it again so I feel comfortable with that "lie" Will go well with sharing my drinks package with my kids LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierpop Posted July 1, 2022 #25 Share Posted July 1, 2022 (edited) 11 minutes ago, quattrohead said: Exposure to someone that might have it was also covered, cases are up 32% in the UK and locally around here people are getting it again so I feel comfortable with that "lie" Will go well with sharing my drinks package with my kids LOL If we are still in a pandemic, then literally every time I come into contact with anyone, and that’s just about daily, there’s possible exposure. So, it’s not lying to say I’ve been exposed to Covid. Having said that, for my last cruise, I used the emed just for convenience, so paid out of pocket. But my next 3 cruises, positive test so all good. Edited July 1, 2022 by Hoosierpop 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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