COVID-19 Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
Abstract
The United States is reporting some of the highest number of cases and deaths from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic globally, and the disease is affecting communities nationwide. In response, federal, state, and local governments have undertaken containment and mitigation efforts to flatten the curvethat is, to slow widespread transmission that could overwhelm the nations health care system and to reduce spread of the disease while treatments and vaccines are being developed that will lessen the health impact of the virus. Diagnostic testing is a critical part of the clinical management of COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both diagnostic (i.e., testing for active infection) and serology testing (i.e., testing for the presence of antibodies, potentially indicating a previous infection) over a wide population may be a key component of efforts to ease mitigation measures and allow people to return safely to work and school. Ongoing testing can be used for public health purposes to identify and isolate positive cases of COVID-19, thereby reducing spread of the disease. However, the use of testing for public health purposes rather than for the clinical diagnosis of individuals poses legal and policy complications, because regulation and payment policies can differ based on how the test is used. Further, COVID-19 testing in the United States is provided in a number of health care and community-based settings. Insurance coverage and payment for a given COVID-19 test can depend on a number of factors, including the entity administering the test or processing test results, and the reason for which the test is administered. These factors can determine whether a certain payment mechanism may be used to pay for a given test. Congress, through several coronavirus legislative packages, has enacted various insurance coverage requirements along with other funding mechanisms to help pay for testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1131433
Entities
People
- Abigail F. Kolker
- Amanda K. Sarata
- Bryce H. Mendez
- Elayne J. Heisler
- Erica A. Lee
- Evelyne P. Baumrucker
- Jared S. Sussman
- Jennifer A. Staman
- Jim Hahn
- Kate M. Costin
- Kavya Sekar
- Noah D. Isserman
- Phoenix Voorhies
- Sidath V. Panangala
- Vanessa C. Forsberg
Organizations
- Library of Congress