MedicaidCoverageMedium impact
COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Reimbursable as a Self-Referred Service
Maryland Medicaid·MD · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +1 more·Provider Transmittal
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Maryland Medicaid now reimburses COVID-19 laboratory testing as a self-referred service, meaning patients can obtain testing without a physician referral. This allows direct billing to Medicaid for COVID-19 lab tests ordered by patients themselves.
Action Required
Immediately: Maryland practices should update billing workflows to accept and process COVID-19 lab test orders from self-referred patients. Update front desk procedures to collect Medicaid information for self-referred COVID-19 testing. Verify with billing system that COVID-19 lab claims can be submitted without physician referral documentation for Maryland Medicaid patients.