In alignment with current public health guidance and similar transitions at other UC locations, UCOP will discontinue on-site COVID-19 testing and testing kit distribution once the current supply is exhausted.

Although the public health emergency has ended, COVID-19 continues to circulate and can still cause illness, particularly among individuals at higher risk. Preventive practices such as staying home when sick, maintaining good hygiene and staying current with recommended vaccines remain important tools for protecting personal and community health.

You may continue to access COVID-19 testing through your UC health plan coverage:

CORE, UC Care, and UC Health Savings Plan (PPOs)

• Effective Jan. 1, 2025, at-home over-the-counter (OTC) antigen tests are no longer covered.
• COVID-19 PCR tests remain covered when ordered by a physician, per the applicable laboratory plan benefits.

Kaiser HMO

• In-network: At-home antigen tests are covered, though members may need to pay up front and submit a claim for reimbursement. PCR tests remain covered at no cost.
• Out-of-network: Members may be reimbursed up to $12 per test or 50% of the cost, whichever is less. PCR tests may include cost-sharing unless part of covered urgent or emergency care.

UC Blue & Gold HMO

• In-network: At-home OTC antigen tests are covered at no cost when obtained from in-network retail pharmacies. PCR tests, vaccines and therapeutics remain fully covered.
• Out-of-network: Effective Jan. 1, 2025, coverage for COVID-19 tests, vaccines and therapeutics shifted to 50% coinsurance. OTC test reimbursement is capped at $12 per test (limit: eight tests per member every 30 days).

Read the full details on COVID-19 test coverage and reimbursement on UCnet

For questions, contact ucop-incident-report@ucop.edu.

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