June 27 – National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control.”
Medicare provides coverage of both standard and Food and Drug Administration approved rapid HIV screening tests for eligible beneficiaries:
• Once annually for beneficiaries at increased risk for HIV infection, (11 full months must elapse following the month the previous test was performed in order for the subsequent test to be covered),
• A maximum of three times for pregnant Medicare beneficiaries, per pregnancy beginning with the date of the first test when ordered by the woman’s clinician, at the following times: First, when the woman is diagnosed with the pregnancy; Second, during the third trimester; Third, at labor, if ordered by the woman’s clinician.
Beneficiaries with any known prior diagnosis of HIV-related illness are not eligible for this screening test. Medicare provides coverage for HIV screening as a Medicare Part B benefit. The beneficiary may receive this screening service with no out-of-pocket cost to them. The coinsurance, copayment and Part B deductible is waived for this benefit.
More information on CPT and ICD codes
