U.S. site to order free testing kits debuts Jan. 19
Under criticism after weeks of shortages, President Biden’s administration is working to make COVID-19 rapid test kits more available and accessible to Americans by boosting supply and lowering costs.
A new federal website — COVIDtests.gov — to request free test kits debuts on Wednesday, with the first shipments going out to Americans by the end of the month. In addition, most Americans will be able to get reimbursed for tests that they purchase starting Saturday.
The White House says “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering” through the U.S. Postal Service.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at-home testing when people experience COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory problems and muscle aches; five days after a potential COVID-19 exposure; or as part of test-to-stay protocols in schools and workplaces.
The White House says that “to promote broad access,” shipments from COVIDtests. gov will initially be limited to four rapid tests per residential address, no matter the number of occupants.
Starting Saturday, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home rapid tests per month per insured person, according to a new Biden administration rule.
People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Insurers are being incentivized to work with pharmacies and retailers to develop plans to cover the cost of the tests with no out-ofpocket cost to customers, but those programs will not be immediately widespread.
Those with public health insurance through Medicare, or without insurance, will be directed to COVIDtests.gov to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.