COVID-19: In Vitro Diagnostic Testing
January 11, 2021Effective 1/1/2021 Policy 0557
Coverage Policy addresses in vitro diagnostic testing methods to detect the presence of, or suspected exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 infection. Molecular tests and antigen tests are considered diagnostic of an active infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In general, antibody (serology) tests are not diagnostic; rather, they are used to identify individuals who have developed antibodies against the SARSCoV-2 virus and may be used for public health purposes such as population prevalence estimates. The Coverage Policy applies to both individual and pooled testing methods.