Tests and Testing Sites

Getting Tested

If you think you may have the virus or have been exposed to someone who has it:

• Call your doctor right away. Your doctor can order a COVID-19 diagnostic test and coordinate your testing at an in-network lab. 
• If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at the Customer Service number listed on your BCBSNM member ID card.
• Find an in-network doctor by logging in to Blue Access for Members^SM or downloading the BCBSNM app¹ to use our Provider Finder^®.

Testing sites:

Not all testing sites are the same. To make sure the associated costs for getting diagnostic tests are covered by your BCBSNM plan:

• Find out if the testing provider is in your health plan’s network. Some testing locations may not be in your health plan’s network, particularly if they aren’t part of a medical group or facility.
• Ask your doctor to refer you to an in-network testing site. Some labs and hospitals may not provide testing without a doctor’s order.
• Find out if the testing site is charging a separate/additional fee to give you the test, and exercise caution if visiting a non-State regulated or out-of-network “pop-up” testing site which may not have the same standards or billing practices as an in-network provider with your health plan. 

At-home testing:

• Check your Benefit Book to find out if you can get FDA-authorized, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for diagnosing COVID-19 through your BCBSNM/Prime Therapeutics^® pharmacy benefits.
• If you use a pharmacy in Prime’s network, you may not have to submit a separate claim when you buy the tests at the pharmacy counter.
• Your plan may cover up to 8 tests every 30 days per covered person. (For example, you may be able to buy 4 boxes that include 2 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.)
• Find complete details in our FAQs.
• If you have Medicare Part B (includes Medicare Advantage), you can get up to 8 free over-the-counter tests each month, until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. You may need to show your red, white and blue Medicare identification card. Find more information here.