SUMMARY:  OPM directs FEHB carriers to cover the cost of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

            This week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a FEHB Program Carrier Letter to provide new guidance on over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and therapeutic remedies. This updated guidance directs all FEHB carriers to provide full coverage of OTC COVID-19 tests. The only exclusion to this provision is if the COVID-19 test is required for employment purposes. For all other criteria the test will be covered by FEHB plans at no cost to the employee. Consistent with earlier determinations the updated guidance also directs carriers to fully cover COVID-19 vaccinations that have been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or approved under a Biological License Application (BLA).  

            The new guidance comes at a time when the Biden Administration is ramping up its response to COVID-19 and the new omicron variant. Earlier today, President Biden announced that his Administration will be purchasing one billion “at-home, rapid COVID tests” that will be available for free. If you would like to receive these tests you can visit covidtests.gov on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.  Each residential address will be limited to four (4) tests, which will be mailed directly to your home.