How To Get Free COVID-19 Home Tests

Americans can now get free take-home COVID-19 tests through their private insurance, the Biden Administration has announced.

Private insurers will be required to cover up to eight tests per covered individual each month. Tests can be obtained in-store, at pharmacies or online, however, insurers will be able to create a network of preferred locations where they provide full coverage. Consumers will still be able to purchase tests outside the network, but insurers will only have to cover up to a $12 cost. Consumers will be reimbursed by keeping the receipt and submitting a claim to their insurance company.

For those who are uninsured or covered by Medicare, the government said it will buy and send out 500 million home COVID tests to Americans who order a test via a government website. The website will launch on January 19, with tests expecting to ship in a week to 12 days. The tests will be mailed directly to the consumer.

The Biden Administration says that they will give priority to those who are “experiencing the highest social vulnerability.” This includes communities that have seen a high number of COVID-related deaths.

The White House is confident that the U.S. Postal service is prepared for the increasing number of deliveries that go along with free rapid home tests.

“They routinely ship 26 to 40 million packages a day, they’ve expanded their staffing, and they expanded their staffing in the holiday season to accommodate that volume, and they’re leveraging that now,” they said.

The Administration also said that they have the best tech team working on the website to ensure it doesn’t crash.