This article was revised on October 27, 2021, to update the effective timeline. To learn about treatment for COVID-19, please read this article. To learn about testing coverage for COVID-19, please read this article.

Independence is committed to providing our members with access to the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage all Independence members and providers to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage regularly for the latest news and updates. We will continue to evaluate member needs as the situation changes.

Billing and coding for COVID-19 tests​

Independence will cover and waive member cost-sharing (i.e., copayment, deductible, and coinsurance) for COVID-19 tests when ordered or authorized by a health care professional licensed and/or qualified to do so under state law. Testing coverage for Commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Keystone CHIP members is effective March 6, 2020, through the duration of the public health emergency.

Approved codes

Please review the policy News Article, Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)), for applicable codes. You can view this article on our Medical and Claim Payment Policy Portal in the News & Announcements sections for Commercial and Medicare Advantage.

The list of applicable codes includes:

• diagnostic testing codes
• diagnostic antigen testing codes
• antibody testing codes
• specimen collection codes
• laboratory testing for differential diagnosis codes
• specimen collection for differential diagnosis laboratory testing codes
• ICD-10 diagnosis codes​
  

Learn more

Read more about coverage of services related to COVID-19 in the News Articles posted on our Medical and Claim Payment Policy Portal:​

• Commercial
  
• Medicare Advantage