Webinars and Videos
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Get set to test – Update: Enroll in Medicare as a Lab
This video update explains the May 8th guidance from CMS that pharmacies need to enroll in Medicare Part B as an Independent Clinical Laboratory to bill for COVID-19 tests. Watch this before you act to hear some do’s and don’ts that will save you time and money later on.
Recorded May 15, 2020
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Get Set to Test: Medicare Enrollment
In this quick video learn how to enroll in Medicare Part B so you are set to bill for COVID-19 tests. Enrollment in Medicare Part B is not only important for billing COVID-19 tests, but also future vaccines, other point of care tests and more. Now is the time to act – the application process is fast and free!
Recorded May 5, 2020
- Opportunities for Pharmacy Testing during COVID-19 Webinar
- Applying for and Updating a CLIA Certificate of Waiver
Why do COVID-19 testing?
Expanding services and working in collaboration with local physicians is a key strategy that progressive pharmacies are pursuing to increase their value in the pharmacy network. Pharmacy now has the ability to administer and order COVID-19 tests. Importantly, that's tests — plural. There are two main types of tests for COVID-19. The first type is used for determining whether a patient is positive for the virus. The second type of test detects the presence of antibodies that may convey immunity. Knowing who might have immunity will allow employees to get back to work, students to go back to school, and families to visit loved ones. In other words, knowing antibody status might allow the country to break free from the paralysis freezing our economy and way of life.
How do I get started?
If you plan to offer COVID-19 testing in your store, you will need to have a CLIA Certificate of Waiver. For most, this is a very easy process. Fill out a form and send it to your state agency. The form is used for different types of labs, so we've made a short video to show you how a pharmacy would likely want to complete the form. Check with your state pharmacy association and department of health to see if there are additional requirements.
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State Guidance on Pharmacist Authority to Administer COVID-19 Tests - Download Spreadsheet
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State CLIA-waiver requirements - Download Spreadsheet (updated 7/23/2020)
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Joint Letter to Pennsylvania Governor regarding onerous state testing requirements
Which tests can I perform?
Check out this Coronavirus Testing Basics resource from the FDA. There are two main types of tests for COVID-19. The first type is used for determining whether a patient is positive for the virus. This is referred to as a diagnostic test (molecular test or antigen test). The second type of test detects the presence of antibodies that may convey immunity. This test can be referred to as an antibody test or serology test.
Before you perform a test on a patient, verify that the test is deemed to be authorized for the CLIA-waived setting by checking the list of test kit manufacturers with an FDA emergency use authorization. There must be a "W" in the column titled "Authorized Settings" for any test, regardless of type, to be performed in a CLIA-waived laboratory. This includes test kits that are part of a telehealth bundle. Pharmacies that purchase antibody test kits in anticipation of the product becoming authorized for use in CLIA-waived settings do so at their own risk.
The tests in the following table are authorized by the FDA for the waived setting or point-of care.
Date EUA Issued |
Manufacturer |
Diagnostic (Letter of Authorization) |
Technology/ Sample1 |
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12/22/2020 | Quidel Corporation | QuickVue SARS Antigen Test | Antigen NS |
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12/07/2020 | Luminostics, Inc. | Clip COVID Rapid Antigen Test | Antigen NS |
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11/17/2020 | Lucira Health, Inc | Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit |
Prescription Home Test |
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10/13/2020 | Access Bio, Inc. | CareStart COVID-19 Antigen test | Antigen NP |
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10/02/2020 | BioFire Diagnostics, LLC | BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1-EZ (RP2.1-EZ) | Molecular NP |
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10/02/2020 | Quidel Corporation | Sofia 2 Flu + SARS Antigen FIA | Antigen NP, NS Multi-analyte |
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09/24/2020 | Cepheid |
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Molecular NP, NS, nasal wash/aspirate Multi-analyte |
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9/23/2020 | Assure Tech. (Hangzhou Co., Ltd) | Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device | Antibody Fingerstick |
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09/14/2020 | Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. | cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B Nucleic Acid Test for use on the cobas Liat System | Molecular NP, NS Multi-analyte |
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08/26/2020 | Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, Inc. | BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card | Antigen NS |
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08/18/2020 | LumiraDx UK Ltd. | LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test | Antigen NS |
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07/02/2020 | Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) | BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 | Antigen NP, NS |
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06/10/2020 | Cue Health Inc. | Cue COVID-19 Test | Molecular NS |
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05/08/2020 | Quidel Corporation |
Antigen |
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03/27/2020 |
Abbott |
Molecular |
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03/23/2020 |
Mesa Biotech Inc. |
Molecular |
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03/20/2020 |
Cepheid |
Molecular |
1. NP = Nasopharyngeal swab, NS = nasal swab
Current as of January 7, 2021
Saliva Sample Collection
The following manufacturers have developed COVID-19 diagnostic tests which utilize saliva as analyte. These tests are not considered waived for point-of-care use, however, pharmacies can partner with labs to do sample collection using these test kits, which may be a more favorable method than performing nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs.
Date EUA Issued |
Manufacturer |
Diagnostic (Letter of Authorization) |
Technology |
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06/04/2020 | Phosphorus Diagnostics LLC | Phosphorus COVID-19 RT-qPCR Test | Molecular, Home Collection |
05/21/2020 | P23 Labs, LLC. | P23 Labs TaqPath SARS-CoV-2 Assay | Molecular, Home Collection |
05/07/2020 | Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory at RUCDR Infinite Biologics - Rutgers University | Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory TaqPath SARS-CoV-2-Assay | Molecular, Home Collection |
The following companies are utilizing these saliva-based test kits and may provide an opportunity for pharmacies to be involved in testing and sample collection.
NCPA Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Test Vetting
What about safety?
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly contagious so you'll want to be sure to take extra care of your staff, patients and pharmacy once you begin testing. Make sure you have protocols in place for proper use of personal protective equipment, hazardous waste disposal and disinfecting practices.
CDC Guidance
Where do I report results?
How do I bill for testing?
Reimbursement Pathways for COVID-19 Testing
Medicare
COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody tests can be billed under Medicare Part B. Watch this video to see how to enroll or how to update your existing enrollment. Note: To bill Medicare, you will need to enroll as an Independent Clinical Laboratory. See page 3 of the NCPA Summary below for step-by-step instructions.
- NCPA Summary of CMS Rules Regarding Pharmacists Ability to Provide COVID-19 Testing
- MLN Matters: Temporarily enroll as Independent Clinical Lab
- CMS Form 855b - Enrollment Application
- PECOS - Online Medicare Enrollment Application
Medicaid
Medicaid may cover COVID-19 tests, including tests administered in non-office settings (such as parking lots or other temporary outdoor locations), and laboratory processing of self-collected COVID-19 tests that are FDA-authorized for self-collection.
The flexibility would apply not only during the current COVID-19 PHE, but also during any subsequent periods of active surveillance to detect recurrence of the virus.
CMS is looking to put out guidance to states as to how states can submit amendments to get pharmacists covered to provide tests and get paid.
Pharmacists should work with their state partners to ensure Medicaid coverage of pharmacist administered COVID-19 tests.
Private
While it is possible to submit prescription claims for COVID-19 tests, including using codes to indicate that a specimen was collected or that the test was performed at the pharmacy, it is not known if health plans will cover this in the pharmacy benefit. Recommendations for processing these claims is available in the NCPDP Emergency Preparedness Information document updated 5/1/20.
- Consider contacting the health plan or pharmacy helpdesk for any large employers in your area to determine coverage for COVID-19 testing.
- Consider contacting large employers in your area directly to propose direct billing for testing.
- Joining a CPESN USA Network may lead to access to reimbursement opportunities based on submitting care plans. Reach out to your network.
Excerpt from a pre-publication draft of the NCPDP Emergency Preparedness Document (6/26/2020)
Question: When the specimen collection product does not have a product ID, what should be submitted as the Product/Service ID (407-D7) for a specimen collection claim represented with the Professional Service Code (440-E5) value of MA – Medication Administered (Specimen Collection)?
Answer: If there is no product identifier on the product being used to collect the specimen, during a declared emergency the Product/Service ID of 99999-0992-11 (COVID-19 Test Specimen Collection), with the Product/Service ID Qualifier (436-E1) of 03 – National Drug Code can be used.
NDC Number |
99999-0992-11 |
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Product Name |
COVID-19 Test Specimen Collection |
Rx or OTC |
OTC |
Package Size (ml, gm, each) |
1 each |
Manufacturer’s Suggested Wholesale Price (SWP) |
$0.01 |
1st Ship Date (New products) |
6/19/20 |
Active Ingredients & Strengths |
Does not apply |
Labeler/Manufacturer Name |
NCPDP Emergency Preparedness |
FEMA
At this time, it seems unlikely that FEMA will directly compensate or issue federally sourced test resources to pharmacies.
- Reimbursement for testing would be possible through the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program, but HRSA has a program for the uninsured.
- Federally sourced test resources are being distributed through state, local, and tribal health departments. Some of these have chosen to partner with pharmacies to expand testing capability.
Uninsured
HRSA is paying for tests for the uninsured (if pharmacies are testing they are eligible for funds)
Companies that assist with medical billing
Additional Information
Pharmacists given authorization to order and administer COVID-19 tests - HHS Announcement (April 8, 2020)
- Advisory opinion on the PREP Act (April 14, 2020) | HHS Advisory Opinion (May 19, 2020)
Pharmacists are key to break free from COVID-19 paralysis - Executive Update (April 17, 2020)