Campus News

At-home COVID-19 Tests Covered by UK Health Insurance

photo of person holding swab for COVID-19 testing
Pete Comparoni | UK Photo.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan, 26, 2022) — A new federal requirement for health insurance plans to cover the cost of select over-the-counter at-home rapid COVID-19 tests took effect Jan.15. The University of Kentucky has worked with Anthem, UK's health insurance administrator, as well as Express Scripts, UK's pharmacy benefit manager, to establish a process for covering these at-home tests for employees. If you are on a UK health insurance plan, you can acquire an at-home COVID-19 test at any pharmacy or retailer that is part of the Express Scripts network. This network includes Kroger, Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's Club and more. All you need to do is show your Express Scripts card. There are no claims to submit. If you acquire an at-home test from a pharmacy or retailer that is not part of the Express Scripts network, you may be able to submit a claim through your health insurance with Anthem. Be sure to keep your receipt. You can view the Anthem claims process here.   UK has many on-site testing opportunities available for employees. Learn more about UK testing locations here. The federal government also recently began offering free test kits. You can go to www.covidtest.gov to request up to four per household. If you have any questions, please email benefits@email.uky.edu or call us at (859) 257-9519, option 3.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.