Covid-19 testing in Honolulu for bonafide residents of American Samoa needing tests in order to return home will be covered under the American Samoa Medicaid Program.
This was announced in a press release from the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency.
It said the American Samoa Medicaid program will require the local match for coverage of this service like any other Medicaid benefit.
For travelers wishing to travel to American Samoa, they must provide three negative tests in order to be approved for travel to the territory. Pursuant to policies established by the AS COVID Task Force, travelers need to do a total of 3 COVID tests before departure, a 10-day COVID test, a 5-day COVID test and a 48-hour COVID test.
The 5-day and the 48-hour tests MUST be done in the State of Hawaii. Medicaid coverage for COVID testing is only available in the State of Hawaii.
Medicaid Director Sandra King Young explained, “The costs of COVID testing will be a heavy burden to our families wanting to travel to American Samoa. For example, under the 3-test protocol, a family of 4 will need $1680.00 to do 3 tests in HI at $140 a PCR test. We have validated with CMS that we can currently cover these tests under our existing State Medicaid Plan, so long as our provider in HI accepts the Medicare Fee Schedule for reimbursement.”
She said, “We have agreed with our testing provider, Capture Diagnostics, that they will prioritize testing for AS travelers because of the time sensitivity of the testing protocols—…results will be provided within 24 hours of testing.”
In addition, the coverage for the COVID testing will apply to the Monday, August 30, test flight and all flights thereafter.
According to King Young, the only requirement for coverage of COVID testing is that the traveler must be a bona fide resident of American Samoa.
The Medicaid Office will validate the eligibility of travelers over the TALOFAPASS system.
For further information on COVID testing coverage, please contact the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency at 699-4777.
