Medicaid covers Hawaii COVID tests for Am Samoa ‘bona fide’ residents

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Medicaid State Agency says the costs of COVID testing in the State of Hawaii will be covered under the AS Medicaid program, for bona fide American Samoa residents requesting to be tested in order to return to American Samoa, according to a press release from the ASMSA, dated Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021.

Currently, for travelers wishing to travel into 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.

The breakdown of the protocol for travelers for the 3 COVID tests is as follows — 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.

The Medicaid coverage for COVID testing is only available in the State of Hawaii.

AS Medicaid Agency 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 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.

“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,” King Young said.

She further explained, “In addition, the coverage for the COVID testing will apply to the upcoming Monday, August 30, test flight and all flights thereafter.

Director King further noted, “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. “

Of note: The American Samoa Medicaid program will require the local match for coverage of this service like any other Medicaid benefit.

For further information on COVID testing coverage, please contact the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency at 699-4777.