On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued Respiratory Virus Guidance to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV.
Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness due to COVID-19. The vaccine is free. Your doctor may ask for insurance information, but you will not get a bill.
There are updated COVID-19 vaccines available for Marylanders 6 months and older, updated to better fight current variants. Regardless of previous vaccination, Marylanders aged 5 and older can receive a single dose of the updated COVID vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) if it has been at least two months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccinations are available through pediatricians and other physicians, hospitals, local health departments, and pharmacies. To find a COVID-19 vaccine location near you, search vaccines.gov. You can also contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist or local health department for more details on how to receive a vaccine.
Testing
CareFirst CHPMD members don’t have to pay for a COVID-19 test. If you need to get tested, there are a few different options:
Get an at-home COVID-19 test from the pharmacy.
- CareFirst CHPMD members are covered for 4 FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests within 30 days. If you need more, you or your doctor must request prior authorization for coverage.
- At-home tests must be purchased at a network pharmacy. Click here to find a pharmacy near you.
- Show your CareFirst CHPMD member ID card to the pharmacy staff when buying an at-home test to get it for free.
- You can get the same kind of test kits or mix brands. Two-pack test kits count as 2 of the 4 kits covered every 30 days.
Effective February 17, 2022.
(These kits count as two test kits)
Get tested at a Maryland COVID-19 testing site.
- Find a COVID-19 testing site near you.
Get tested at your provider’s office.
- Members can have a COVID-19 test from in-network or out-of-network providers.
- Check with your provider’s office to make sure they offer testing.
- There are no pre-authorization requirements for a test.