You Can Order Another Round of Free COVID-19 Tests
Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao
Fact checked by Nick Blackmer
Key Takeaways
You can now request four more free COVID-19 rapid tests on COVIDTests.gov.
Before you throw out an expired rapid test, check if their expiration dates have been extended.
The tests should be able to detect the circulating COVID-19 variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86.
A new round of free at-home COVID-19 tests will be available starting September 25 on COVIDTests.gov. Each household will be able to request up to four tests.
The announcement comes shortly after the recommendation of a new COVID-19 vaccine. While COVID-19 hasn’t fallen into a clear seasonal pattern yet, cases have peaked during each of the past three winters. As colder months approach, testing remains a key way to slow the spread of the disease.
The rapid tests being distributed by the government will still be able to detect the newer variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it is granting $600 million to a dozen COVID-19 test manufacturers and for the reopening of COVIDTests.gov. These investments would secure about 200 million new rapid tests for government use.
“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
The federal government distributed its first round of free rapid tests during the Omicron surge in 2021. It has since sent several rounds of free tests, doling out about 755 million tests in total.
Private insurers were previously required to pay for eight at-home tests per patient each year, but that rule expired when the public health emergency order ended in May.
An expired COVID-19 rapid test may still be usable. You can check if a test expiration date has been extended, or if you should follow the date on the box, on this FDA webpage.
What This Means For You
Starting Monday, you will be able to request up to four COVID-19 tests per household online at covidtests.gov. You can refer to this guide from the CDC more information about how to use a rapid antigen test and how to understand the results.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
