How to order free rapid tests for virus

The federal website to order free rapid coronavirus tests went live last week, and the Biden administration hopes the site, covidtests. gov, remedies nationwide shortages of such at-home tests.

In the coming months, the president is pledging the government will provide millions of such kits to Americans for free.

Here’s what you need to know about ordering at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government’s website:

Process is simple

When I visited the site, all I did was type in my name, email address and shipping address.

I am scheduled to receive four rapid at-home COVID-19 antigen tests. You can opt to provide your email address to receive shipping updates. An order confirmation will also be sent to this email address.

The website will not process more than one order for the same address. If you try doing that, you will get this notification: “At-home COVID-19 tests have already been ordered for this address. Our records show that at-home COVID19 tests have already been ordered for this address. We are unable to process duplicate orders for the same address.”

Think a few weeks down the road

The federal government website limits each household to four tests, and there will be a wait to get them. Officials said tests will usually ship via the U.S. Postal Service within seven to 12 days.

Lindsey Dawson, associate director of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said people should think about whether they will need the tests in coming weeks and months.

“If you’re going to school, if you’re engaging with people outside your household, if you’re using public transportation — there’s a whole range of ways that people might be at risk for contracting COVID, so it makes sense to have some at home,” Dawson said.

Don’t take the tests for kicks

The Centers for Disease Control recommends using an at-home test if you have a fever, sore throat, runny nose or loss of taste or smell.

The agency also recommends people take a test at least five days within coming in contact with someone with COVID-19 and before gathering with a group of people, especially those at risk for getting seriously sick.

Private health insurers are required to reimburse for at-home tests, too

Four tests per address will not meet everyone’s needs. If a household requires more tests, people can buy them and get reimbursed by their private insurance carriers. Private insurance carriers are required to reimburse the cost of up to eight tests per month.

Frequent testing does not replace other COVID-19 precautions

Remember, testing is not enough to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Such at-home tests “should be used in conjunction with other risk reduction strategies,” including getting vaccinated and wearing masks in crowded or public settings, Dawson said.