COVID testing will no longer be free for the uninsured in Miami-Dade

Starting in July, COVID-19 testing will no longer be free for the uninsured at more than a dozen Miami-Dade centers due to a lack of federal funding.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the move Monday afternoon to county commissioners in a memo, obtained by the Miami Herald. She indicated that without federal support the county would incur “unbudgeted expenses” that would “negatively” affect the county’s ability to provide other essential services.

The county relied on reimbursement funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay for tests and vaccinations for the uninsured at county centers. The 100% federal refund ends in July. For people with insurance, insurers will continue to cover the cost of tests and vaccinations at the centers. Insurance information will be required at the centers to receive these services.

Vaccines will continue to be free to all at vaccination centers and Nomi Health is committed to covering administrative costs for the uninsured, a county spokeswoman told the Miami Herald on Monday.

“Miami-Dade remains committed to doing everything possible to serve residents and visitors, and in preparation for this impending change in federal funding, my administration worked closely with our partners at Nomi Health to establish a transition plan that establish continuity for the community that relies heavily on these critical services,” Levine Cava said in the memo.

The memo doesn’t say how much uninsured people can pay for a test, but the county expects to have additional details in the coming days.

The change comes as cases rise in Miami-Dade. The county’s seven-day positivity rate was 21% on Monday. At the height of the wave of the omicron strain in January, the positivity rate soared to 35%. In addition, hospitalizations increased, although they have not reached the levels seen during the initial wave of winter.

The CDC considers Miami-Dade, like the rest of South Florida, to be at high risk for transmission of COVID-19 and recommends that people wear face coverings in public places and on public transportation.

As part of the change, Nomi Health will continue to cover the costs of operating the testing and vaccination sites, including staff, supplies, facilities and equipment, according to the memo. Most centers are also expected to remain open seven days a week, with some continuing to operate 24 hours a day, according to the mayor.

“We are exploring all possible options to continue providing these vital services to those who are uninsured and unable to pay, including actively exploring having other partners administer these services and providing materials detailing where low-cost tests and vaccines are available. cost and no cost,” Levine Cava wrote in the memo.

COVID-19 Testing Options in Miami-Dade

▪ People can purchase home COVID-19 test kits online and through retail pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens.

▪ Currently, the US government requires insurance companies and health plans to cover up to eight home COVID tests per person each month, either at the time of purchase or through reimbursement. The tests must be authorized by the FDA.

▪ The federal government is also distributing a third round of free home test kits. While the kits may not get to you in time if you need them right now, it’s nice to have some in your home for the future. You can order free test kits online at covid.gov/tests.

▪ Use the online COVID test locator of Miami-Dade and the online COVID vaccine locator Miami-Dade to find a center near you. For people without insurance, testing will remain free through July.

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