US Medical Term · regulatory
CARES Act
Ley CARES
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | CARES Act |
| Spanish (Español) | Ley CARES |
| Chinese (中文) | 《关怀法》 |
| Korean (한국어) | 케어스 법 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đạo luật CARES |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Batas CARES |
| Portuguese (Português) | Lei CARES |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กฎหมาย CARES |
| Japanese (日本語) | ケアーズ法 |
What it means
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law signed in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For patients, it had several important effects: it required most private health plans and Medicare to cover COVID-19 testing and vaccines at no cost; it expanded telehealth access by allowing Medicare to pay for virtual visits; it broadened what expenses qualify for health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), including over-the-counter drugs without a prescription; and it provided financial relief to hospitals and healthcare providers. Many CARES Act provisions were temporary, and some have since expired or changed. If you received pandemic-related healthcare, understanding the CARES Act may help you clarify billing questions.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Under the CARES Act, my COVID test was covered at no cost to me.
Bajo la Ley CARES, mi prueba de COVID fue cubierta sin costo para mí.
The CARES Act expanded telehealth so I could see my doctor by video during the pandemic.
La Ley CARES amplió la telemedicina para que pudiera ver a mi médico por video durante la pandemia.
I used my HSA for over-the-counter medicines after the CARES Act changed the rules.
Usé mi HSA para medicamentos de venta libre después de que la Ley CARES cambió las reglas.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026