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10/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/29/2024 12:41

How Do I Get a Free COVID Test

Key takeaways:

  • Free COVID tests are available from the federal government. Starting in September 2024, every U.S. household is eligible for four free rapid kits. These are also known as at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests or self-tests.

  • You can order the free tests online at covidtests.gov or by calling 800-232-0233. You won't be charged for shipping to your home.

  • If you have insurance, you may have access to additional free COVID testing by a healthcare professional with results processed in a laboratory.

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You can order free COVID-19 tests for delivery to your home. Beginning in September 2024, every U.S. household is entitled to four COVID test kits that provide rapid results in 30 minutes or less. These kits are also known as self-tests or over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The FDA reports that these tests can detect current variants and can be used through the end of the year.

You may be eligible for free in-person COVID testing at certain healthcare locations if it's fully covered by your insurance. You may also have the option to buy COVID self-tests with an OTC benefits debit card provided by your insurance plan that covers your kits in full.

How do I get a free COVID test?

Visit covidtests.gov to order four free self-test kits for your household. You can go directly to this online form to enter your information. If you need help or prefer to order by phone, call 800-232-0233 for assistance in English, Spanish, or more than 150 other languages.

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Your tests will be delivered free of charge by the U.S. Postal Service. The kits are available for residential addresses in every state, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.

You can have the kits sent to any home address, including:

  • A physical address

  • A post office box registered as a residential P.O. box

  • Overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)

Also, only one order for four kits can be made per address regardless of how many people live in the household. You can receive order confirmation and tracking information about your tests if you provide an email address.

Available kits include accessible tests for people with disabilities that affect vision and dexterity.

Other than home delivery, where else can I get a free COVID test?

You may be able to find free COVID testing if you don't have insurance or full vaccine coverage with your plan and have symptoms or were exposed to the virus. Use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID testing locator to find a facility that can help you at no cost.

Free COVID tests may be able available at:

If you have a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line at 888-677-1199 can help you access a free COVID self-test or find a testing location.

Some testing locations also provide COVID treatment. You can find those facilities using the test-to-treat filter with this treatment locator.

We will discuss accessing free COVID tests with your health insurance coverage in the next section.

Will insurance cover COVID testing?

The end of the COVID public health emergency on May 11, 2023, changed how COVID vaccines, tests, and other services are covered by insurance as well as your out-of-pocket costs.

After May 11, 2023, coverage for COVID testing has varied based on your health plan. COVID testing by an in-network healthcare professional may be covered, but a self-test may not. Some plans cover COVID tests given by a healthcare professional with cost sharing, which means you must meet your deductible and may be charged a copay or coinsurance.

You may have no out-of-pocket costs when you request an in-person test ordered and performed by a pharmacist with rapid results or analysis by a lab that's covered by your health plan. Medicare Part B covers COVID tests processed in a lab without cost sharing if they're ordered and administered by a healthcare professional who accepts Medicare.

Medicaid programs nationwide covered free OTC and lab tests through September 30, 2024. Now coverage varies by state and territory.

Your health insurance plan may cover self-tests:

  • By reimbursing you for what you spend on purchases

  • Through digital platforms that let you order the kits online at no charge

  • When you present your insurance card at the pharmacy counter without paying up front

If I can't find free testing, where can I buy a COVID test?

You can buy COVID self-tests at pharmacies and other retailers in person and online. You can purchase an in-person test ordered and performed by a pharmacist with rapid results or analysis by a lab. You can also find in-person testing at medical facilities with results processed by a laboratory, and you will receive a bill as a cash-paying customer.

Extended expiration dates

Your test may have an expiration date that is near or past, but the FDA has extended those dates because data has shown that the tests will perform accurately beyond what was known when their shelf lives were determined. You can check the FDA list of extended expiration dates to make sure you can still use your test.

Can I use tax-advantaged healthcare funds to pay for COVID tests?

The cost of COVID self-testing is an eligible medical expense that can be paid for or reimbursed by tax-advantage healthcare funds. These include:

The bottom line

Starting in September 2024, you can order free COVID tests from the federal government with no-cost delivery by mail. Every U.S. household qualifies for four free rapid kits regardless of how many people live at your address. You can visit covidtests.gov or call 800-232-0233 to order your tests. Provide your email address if you want to confirm your order and track your shipment. You may also be able to access free self-test kits through your health insurance. Check for in-person COVID testing in your area that you can access at no cost.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:
Cindy George, MPH
Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

References

Administration for Community Living. (2024). Order free at-home COVID-19 tests.

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. (n.d.). Find COVID-19 medications.

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Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions about the free COVID test program.

Aetna. (n.d.). COVID-19: Testing & treatment information.

Blum, D. (2024). Free Covid tests are back. The New York Times.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Search for no-cost COVID-19 testing​.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Information on tribes and tribal organizations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). No-cost COVID-19 testing locator.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Coverage for COVID-19 tests.

CVS. (n.d.). At home Covid tests education.

CVS. (2023). COVID-19 testing.

Health Resources & Services Administration Data Warehouse. (n.d.). Find a health center.

Internal Revenue Service. (2021). IRS: Cost of home testing for COVID-19 is eligible medical expense; reimbursable under FSAs, HSAs.

Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic laboratory tests. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

National Association of County and City Health Officials. (n.d.). Directory of local health departments.

USAGov. (2024). COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). COVID-19 test basics.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

U.S. Postal Service. (2024). At-home COVID-19 tests.

Walgreens. (n.d.). You may be eligible for no-cost COVID-19 test kits.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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