Federal government gets ready to roll out free at-home tests as Covid-19 numbers slowly creep up

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Distribution with the new Covid-19 vaccine and issues have already surfaced. Not enough supply, and insurance companies not covering the full cost. All as the federal government gets ready to roll out free at-home tests as Covid-19 numbers slowly creep up. 

Pharmacies like Hayat expect to have their first shipment of the new Covid-19 vaccine in the next few days, and they're hoping issues with the insurance companies will be worked out before then.

The new Covid-19 vaccine received FDA and CDC approval last week, but the roll hasn't been smooth. 

"We've got calls from like patients asking if we have it in stock. They said they've called other big retailers, and they ask if they can come in for an appointment. They would go in and then be denied because of either the supply or the coverage through insurance," said Aya Alanani, Clinical Services Manager of Hayat Pharmacies.

Some showed up to appointments and were told the supplies not there. Others expecting insurance to cover it, found they'd have to pay out of pocket, because it's a medication insurance doesn't yet recognize. 

"It's not fully uploaded into their system so if pharmacies try to run a claim through for a patient, it will be rejected saying you know it's not recognizing it yet," said Alanani.

This independent pharmacy's taken a slower approach, waiting for things to get ironed out, and in the meantime, connected directly with the manufacturers, not just the middle-man suppliers. 

"So, you know deep in the season if it is a high demand, we won't be running into any supplier issues. I just want to make sure that it's clear, it's not a booster, it's a new version of the vaccine so everybody would need it whether they've had their initial vaccine or not," said Alanani. 

All this coming on the heels of Covid-19 numbers trending in the wrong direction.

Milwaukee County's latest numbers show 30 confirmed Covid-19 cases, up from eight in the previous week. The government is getting ready to release free at-home test kits again, which is not a surprise at this pharmacy.

"Not really because we've seen a lot of positive tests, we have seen it again lately," said Alanani. 

Starting Monday, Sept. 25, every U.S. household can again order up to four free Covid-19 rapid tests and have them sent directly to their home. 

"I expect that we'll be probably testing for covid just like we test for strep or influenza A, it will be just one of the regular tests that the doctor might order," said Alanani.

The CDC is recommending the new Covid-19 vaccine for everyone ages six months and up.