Dear Marci,
I might need COVID-19 treatment. Will Medicare cover Paxlovid if I need it?
-Ralph (Indianapolis, IN)
Dear Ralph,
Yes! Good news from Medicare! It is now covering prescriptions for the oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, through the end of 2024. You can access it in a couple of different ways.
If your Part D plan participates in the Paxlovid patient assistance program, you can have your prescription filled free of cost at your pharmacy. Contact your plan to find out if it participates.
If your plan doesn’t participate, or you simply don’t have drug coverage, you can still get Paxlovid at no charge. You’ll just need to enroll in the U.S. Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) operated by Pfizer.
If you are choosing a Part D plan, you can search for Paxlovid and add it as prescription drug when comparing drug plan costs on Medicare’s Plan Finder. This will allow you to choose a drug plan that automatically covers the medication.
If you decide on a drug plan that does not cover Paxlovid, you can still obtain the medication through the USG PAP mentioned above.
Stay well!
-Marci