Details on the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency

The federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023. This affects how COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment are provided and covered for some Kaiser Permanente members.

COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatment

1. Do Kaiser Permanente members have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Commercial members

in California

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be provided and covered at $0 cost-share in compliance with California law.

Commercial members

in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland Washington D.C., Virginia, Hawaii

In-network: COVID-19 vaccines continue to be covered under preventive benefits at applicable plan cost sharing, typically $0.

Out-of-network: COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer covered.

Medicare members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

In-network: COVID-19 vaccines  continue to be covered by Medicare part B at no cost.

Out-of-network: COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer covered.

Medicaid members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be covered at no cost through September 2024, in compliance with federal guidance.
2. Can Kaiser Permanente members still get free COVID-19 home antigen tests from Kaiser Permanente?

Commercial members

in California

COVID-19 home antigen tests continue to be provided and covered at $0 cost-share for up to 8 tests per member per month, in compliance with California law. Members can submit a claim to get reimbursed for up to $12 per test.

Commercial members

in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland Washington D.C., Virginia, Hawaii

COVID-19 home antigen tests are no longer covered.

Medicare members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

COVID-19 home antigen tests are no longer covered, per federal guidance.

Medicaid members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

COVID-19 home antigen tests  continue to be covered at no cost through September 2024. The number of covered tests varies based on state guidelines:

  • California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, and Oregon members can continue to get 8 home antigen tests per month.

  • Washington members can continue to get 12 home antigen tests per month.

  • Maryland members can continue to get 4 home antigen tests per 30 days.

  • Virginia members can continue to get 8 home antigen tests per 30 days.
3. Can Kaiser Permanente members still get free COVID-19 PCR tests from Kaiser Permanente?

Commercial members

in California

COVID-19 PCR testing  continue to be provided and covered at $0 cost-share, in compliance with California law.

Commercial members

in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland Washington D.C., Virginia, Hawaii

In-network: COVID-19 diagnostic PCR testing is covered under the outpatient diagnostic lab benefit at applicable plan cost-sharing. Testing for other purposes, such as for work, school, or travel is not covered.

Out-of-network: COVID-19 PCR testing is only covered for urgent care and emergency services, when legally required, or when OON coverage is included in a Kaiser Permanente member’s plan.

Medicare members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

In-network: COVID-19 diagnostic PCR testing is covered under the outpatient diagnostic lab benefit at applicable plan cost-sharing. Testing for other purposes, such as for work, school, or travel is not covered.

Out-of-network (OON): COVID-19 PCR testing is only covered for urgent care and emergency services when legally required or when OON coverage is included in a Kaiser Permanente member’s plan.

Medicaid members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

COVID-19 PCR tests continue to be covered at no cost through September 2024, in compliance with federal guidance.
4. Can Kaiser Permanente members still get free COVID-19 treatment (therapeutics) from Kaiser Permanente?

Commercial members

in California

COVID-19 treatment continue to be provided and covered at $0 cost-share, in compliance with California law.

Commercial members

in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland Washington D.C., Virginia, Hawaii

In-network: COVID-19 treatment is covered under the drug benefit with applicable plan cost-sharing.

Out-of-network: COVID-19 treatment is only covered for urgent care and emergency services, when legally required, or when OON coverage is included in a Kaiser Permanente member’s plan.

Medicare members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

In-network: COVID-19 treatment is covered under the Medicare Part B drug benefit with applicable plan cost-sharing.

Out-of-network (OON): Coverage for COVID-19 treatment from an out-of-network provider is no longer covered, per federal guidance.

Medicaid members

in all Kaiser Permanente markets

COVID-19 treatment continues to be covered at no cost through September 2024, in compliance with federal guidance.
5. When did changes take effect?

The changes described above went into effect on May 12, 2023, following the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023.

6. How were Kaiser Permanente members notified of these changes?

Kaiser Permanente updated kp.org and sent communications to members with information about the end of the PHE in advance of these changes.

7. Where can Kaiser Permanente members get information about how to access COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, testing and care?

Kaiser Permanente members should visit kp.org/coronavirus for the latest information on how to access COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, testing and care.

Business operations

8. When will plan documents be updated to reflect these changes?

Any changes to Kaiser Permanente’s plan descriptions will be made as required by applicable state and federal requirements. Kaiser Permanente’s Evidence of Coverage and group agreements were never modified to include language related to the benefit changes, coverage of additional services, and changes to administrative requirements and processes due to the public health emergency.