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Humana to Pilot COVID-19 Home, Drive-Thru Testing With LabCorp, Walmart, Quest Diagnostics

Analysis  |  By Melanie Blackman  
   June 30, 2020

The insurance company is offering LabCorp's at-home testing kits and Walmart drive-thru testing options to members.

Humana Inc. announced collaboration plans today with LabCorp for at-home COVID-19 testing, and plans with Walmart and Quest Diagnostics on drive-thru testing.

Patients may utilize the at-home testing or the drive-thru testing based on preference. This is the first insurance company to offer members LabCorp's at-home testing kids and Quest Diagnostics' drive-thru testing at Walmart locations.

"Our members continue to be worried about COVID-19—including the anxiety about possibly having it and not knowing it," Humana Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Quality Mona Siddiqui said. "We want to help alleviate that stress. This is an additional step we can take to help address their concerns—whether testing from the safety of their own home or using the drive-thru option."

The at-home test allows members with COVID-19-like symptoms to do a "self-collect nasal swab" in the comfort of their home.

"Our at-home collection kit, the first to receive emergency use authorization from the FDA, is another example of how we are making testing easier, faster and more readily available to people who need to be tested," Chief Medical Officer and President of LabCorp Diagnostics Brian Caveney, MD, said.

Drive-thru testing will be available at "hundreds" of Walmart Neighborhood Market locations, where Quest Diagnostic tests will be offered through the pharmacy drive-thru windows.

"We’re pleased to work with Quest Diagnostics to bring testing access to Humana members and others at our Neighborhood Market pharmacy drive-thru windows, creating a convenient way for Humana members to be tested and protect themselves, their families and their communities," Walmart Chief Medical Officer Thomas Van Gilder, MD, said.

"Our lab insights will help foster safer and healthy environments as our nation begins to reopen our economy," Quest Diagnostics Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Jay G. Wohlgemuth, MD, said.

Humana Inc. has ongoing pandemic programs for members, including:

  • Suspending prior authorization for coronavirus-related patient care during the pandemic.
  • Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for all office visits and offering cost-share waivers for telehealth visits.
  • Sending "safety kits" to members, which include face masks and health information.

Related: Humana: 'Unhealthy days' for Medicare population fall as social determinants screened

Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.

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