Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Your plan covers tests that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes. Visit the FDA website for a list of authorized tests.

Tests you purchase on or after January 15, 2022 are eligible for reimbursement. Note the BinaxNOW test which has “Telehealth Proctor Supervised” in the attributes column is not reimbursable under this program.

For those who are not original Medicare or Medicare Advantage customers, your plan may cover eight (8) individual OTC at-home tests per 30-day period (or per calendar month). In applying the quantity limit of eight, plans and issuers count each test separately, even if multiple tests are sold in one package.

This limit only applies to OTC COVID-19 tests purchased and administered at home without the involvement of a health care provider. This means your health plan must still cover other kinds of COVID-19 tests ordered or administered by a health care provider. Those tests don’t count toward the eight quantity limit.

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) are approved for home use under FDA in vitro diagnostics emergency use authorization, or antigen tests. Antigen tests detect the presence of specific virus proteins present on the sample swabbed from your body. Though rapid (results in 10-15 minutes) and convenient, they are not as good at detecting the virus as the type of test performed in a laboratory (known as nucleic acid amplification testing or NAAT), which is extremely sensitive.

An antigen test is most likely to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus when taken soon after symptoms develop (or 5 days after a known exposure without symptoms). A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection, especially if you have symptoms. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected.

Regardless of which test is performed, if your result is positive you should follow CDC guidance on COVID-19 quarantine and isolation.

Everyone five years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

There are several ways to find a vaccination location near you:

• Visit Vaccines.gov
• Text your zip code to 438829 or call 1 (800) 232-0233
• Check your local pharmacy’s website for available appointments
• Find pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
• Contact your state health department

Note in some states, information may be limited while more vaccination providers and pharmacies are being added.

Learn more at Vaccines.gov

There are three vaccines available in the U.S. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is FDA-authorized for ages 5-15 and FDA approved for ages 16 and older. The Moderna^® and Johnson & Johnson^® vaccines are FDA-authorized for ages 18 and older.

Yes.  Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection decreases over time. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further increases the importance of vaccination and boosters to protect against COVID-19.

Everyone ages 12 and older can now get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster shot.  Individuals can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least 5 months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

A third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children ages 5 through 11. Children 5 through 11 years of age who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise, may not respond adequately to the two-dose primary vaccination series. Thus, a third primary series dose has now been authorized for this group. This will now allow these children to receive the maximum potential benefit from vaccination.

Children 5 through 11 years of age who are fully vaccinated and are not immunocompromised do not need a third dose at this time.

It’s now recommended that you get your booster shot five months after your last shot if you got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, six months later if you got the Moderna vaccine, and two months later if you got the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

For detailed information about COVID-19 booster shots, visit the FDA website.

It is your preference. The CDC recommendations now allow for mix and match dosing for booster shots. You can get a booster of the vaccine that you originally received, or you can get a different vaccine type for your booster.

For the latest recommendations on eligibility of booster shots, including recommendations for the general population, refer to COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC or talk to your health care provider.

Yes, as of October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children five through 11 years of age.

• The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children five through 11 years of age.
• Safety: The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children age five through 11 years who received the vaccine. No serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children five through 11 years of age is administered as a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart, but is a lower dose (10 micrograms) than that used for individuals 12 years of age and older (30 micrograms).

If you are a parent or guardian with questions about the vaccine, we encourage you to talk with your child’s health care provider.

For more information you can read:

• The FDA decision to authorize the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds
• CDC Recommends Vaccine for Kids ages 5-11

Cigna looks to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to determine these factors.

It has been shown that all three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are highly effective at preventing COVID-19.

To learn more about the vaccines, visit:

Different COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

Vaccines | FDA

The best way to protect against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory diseases that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. We encourage everyone to talk with their health care provider about getting the COVID-19 and the flu shot. You can get both shots at the same time.

COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are safe and effective and may help avoid serious complications and hospitalization.

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because:

• Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19.
• Vaccination helps protect you even if you’ve already had COVID-19.

Yes. Your plan will cover diagnosis, testing, and treatment associated with COVID-19, including:

• COVID-19 diagnostic visits: Cigna is waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 visits with in-network providers, whether at a provider’s office, urgent care center, emergency room, or via virtual care, through the Public Health Emergency (PHE) period, currently scheduled to end on January 16, 2022.*
• COVID-19 testing: Cigna is waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 FDA-approved testing through the Public Health Emergency (PHE) period, currently scheduled to end on January 16, 2022. Get more information on how to get tested at a center or at home.
• If you have gone out-of-network and received an unexpected bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic visit or test, Cigna's COVID-19 Customer Protection Program (CPP) can help. This COVID-19 assistance program helps resolve billing issues and is provided at no additional cost for eligible customers.² Call the phone number on your ID card and an advocate will help you.
• COVID-19 treatment: Cigna covers medical care for COVID-19 treatment subject to standard cost share, copay, and deductibles. Cigna covers the administration of all FDA emergency use approved (EUA) COVID-19 infusions consistent with EUA Guidelines and Cigna’s COVID-19 Drug and Biologic Therapeutics coverage policy.

On December 2, 2021 the federal government announced a plan to cover the costs for at-home COVID-19 tests. We should have more information to share about this change on or around January 15, 2022.

*Diagnostic tests are covered for individuals with symptoms of a COVID-19 infection or who had exposure to someone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, as well as for individuals before an elective hospital admission or procedure. Non-diagnostic and antibody tests are not covered by Cigna's standard coverage, but may be covered as required by state law. For more on testing, please download the Cigna testing brochure.

Check with your employee benefits administrator or human resources department. Many Cigna health plans do not cover testing for employment, travel, or school reasons.

Cigna does cover testing for diagnostic purposes when submitted by a laboratory and will waive cost-share for these tests through the end of the PHE period, ending on January 16, 2022. Diagnostic purpose tests are those needed to make a diagnosis and manage your health and treatment plan.

Yes. In late December 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two oral prescription medications for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): PAXLOVID^TM (from Pfizer) and molnupiravir (from Merck).³ These medications can help lessen the virus’ effects and lower the risk of hospitalization. If your doctor thinks PAXLOVID^TM or molnupiravir is right for you, you should take it as soon as you develop symptoms and test positive for COVID-19. Learn more about how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19

Yes. PAXLOVID^TM and molnupiravir are available on Cigna’s prescription drug list as preferred brand medications.⁴ If you or a covered family member get a prescription for PAXLOVID^TM or molnupiravir, you can fill it at any pharmacy (in- or out-of-network) that has it available. Or, you can get the medication directly from your doctor’s office (if they have it). Learn more about how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19

If you are in a position where you can choose your healthcare provider (e.g. non-emergency), we recommend using the provider directory available on myCigna.com or the myCigna^® mobile app to find an in-network provider. You can also call the phone number on your ID card to find in-network health care providers to eliminate any risk your provider may choose to bill above these rates.

Some people suffer from ongoing or new symptoms after a diagnosis of COVID-19. Recovery could take as long as or longer than three months. It is important to see your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to discuss ongoing COVID-19 symptoms and an appropriate treatment plan. If you don’t have a PCP, log in to myCigna and use the provider directory to find an in-network provider. For more information, visit Post-COVID Conditions | CDC

Yes, on December 22 and 23, the FDA granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for two oral antiviral products – Pfizer’s product, Paxlovid and Merck’s product, Molnupiravir.

Only a licensed doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or physician assistant can prescribe these medications.

Paxlovid is available to patients 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg who have mild to moderate COVID-19 based on a positive viral test. You must be at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Treatment should be started within five days of symptom onset and should not be used longer than five consecutive days. The medication it to be taken orally twice daily for five days. 

Molnupiravir is available to adults who have mild to moderate COVID-19 based on a positive viral test. You must be at high risk for progression to severe COVID 19, including hospitalization or death. In this case, alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. Treatment should be started within five days of symptom onset and should not be used longer than five consecutive days. The medication it to be taken orally twice daily for five days.

The medications are currently purchased by the federal government and provided free of cost to individuals who are in need of either drug. Talk with your doctor if you want more information.

After you recover from COVID-19 and/or return home from a hospitalization, your PCP can determine the best treatment plan, including assessing any follow care needed. Continue to take ensure you are up to date with preventative care screenings.

The FDA recently authorized the monoclonal antibody therapy, REGEN-COV^TM, for emergency use as post-exposure prevention of COVID-19 for those 12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

REGEN-COV also remains authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 for those who are at high-risk for progression to severe COVID-19. Your PCP is the best person to discuss whether this therapy is appropriate for you.

To find locations that may be able to provide monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatments visit:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outpatient antibody treatment locator tool

The National Infusion Center Association^SM

Yes. Cigna has partnered with Access2Care^SM (A2C) to provide our Medicare Advantage customers with four one-way trips to get their COVID-19 vaccine at no additional cost. A trip is defined as a one-way ride that’s under 60 miles from start to finish.

• If your plan includes transportation, we’ve added four more one-way trips to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
• If your plan does not include transportation, we’re providing you with four one-way trips to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

At this time, transportation to drive-through vaccine sites/events is not available in order to maintain patient privacy and safety.

Once you have a vaccination appointment, you can schedule your free rides. Call the A2C (Access2Care) customer service number for your state listed below at least 48 hours before your vaccine appointment to schedule a trip.

A2C will schedule your trips there and back with their contracted transportation providers, which may include a ride-sharing service.

Be sure to note the trip number you receive from the representative making your reservation. If your trip number is not available, you will receive a call back within 24 hours and it will be provided at that time.

At the time of your appointment, you’ll find out how to contact your driver about being picked up.

Customers in the following states can call A2C to schedule their trip(s):

• Alabama, Southern MS: 1 (866) 575-3737
• Arkansas: 1 (866) 780-8554
• Arizona: 1 (800) 285-8818
• Colorado, New Mexico, Utah: 1 (866) 217-7244
• Georgia: 1 (866) 382-0513
• Illinois, Kansas City: 1 (866) 213-7308
• Florida- North: 1 (866) 575-3737
• Florida-Central: 1 (866) 217-5144
• Mid Atlantic-Maryland, Delaware, D.C., Virginia: 1 (888) 235-8146
• North Carolina, South Carolina: 1 (888) 238-4272
• New Jersey, Pennsylvania: 1 (888) 223-7578
• Ohio: 1 (888) 213-2217
• Tennessee, Northern MS (Desoto County): 1 (866) 780-8554
• Texas, Oklahoma City: 1 (866) 214-5126