Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 3499
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Free COVID–19 Testing Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 12, 2020
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Mar 12, 2020
Latest Action
Mar 12, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
3499
Congress
116
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Alabama
Democrat
California
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Michigan
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Montana
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
Oregon
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Wisconsin
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Free COVID–19 Testing Act

This bill requires specified public health care programs and private health insurance to cover testing for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) without imposing cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for the duration of the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020. This coverage includes the cost of administering such approved tests and related visits to health care providers.

Specifically, these requirements apply to COVID-19 testing and office visits for individuals covered through (1) Medicare, (2) Medicare Advantage, (3) Medicaid, (4) the Children's Health Insurance Program, (5) the Department of Defense (i.e., TRICARE), (6) the Department of Veterans Affairs, (7) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or (8) the Indian Health Service. Additionally, state Medicaid programs may cover COVID-19 testing and related visits for uninsured individuals during the emergency, and the Department of Health and Human Services must reimburse laboratories for the cost of such tests.

Text (1)
March 12, 2020
Actions (2)
03/12/2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
03/12/2020
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Feb 8, 2022 11:23:03 PM