Here’s How to Get Your Hands on Free at-Home COVID-19 Tests
The federal government will send four free rapid COVID-19 tests per household to people who request them starting on Wednesday, January 19.
You can order the antigen tests at covidtests.gov; the Biden administration has also promised to open a call line for people who do not have internet access.
This is in addition to private insurance companies now being required to reimburse up to eight store-bought COVID-19 tests per month.
Most Americans have been struggling to find COVID-19 testing the past few months. With hours-long lines for PCR tests and shelves cleared of at-home antigen tests as the Omicron variant surges, many people have been left without a reliable way to tell if their symptoms are related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
But starting on January 19, every household in the United States can order four free at-home rapid tests from the federal government. The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) will begin accepting orders for rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at covidtests.org, providing the easiest option for testing yet.
We’re sharing exactly how to order a free at-home COVID-19 test, and answering any other questions you might have, including what kind of tests you’ll receive, how soon you can expect to receive them, and what you can do to find additional testing near you.
How to order a free at-home COVID-19 test from the government
Here’s a step by step breakdown on how to order a government-provided, at-home coronavirus test:
Go to covidtests.org on Wednesday, January 19, or later.
At the top of the site, click the button that says “Order Free At-Home Tests.” This will take you to the USPS website.
Enter your name and shipping address where prompted. (You may also include your email address if you want to receive shipping updates.) You don’t need to add anything to a cart—the USPS site is already set up to send four tests to your household.
Click the button on the right side that says “Check Out Now” to place your order. (For now, you can only request four tests.)
The Biden administration has also promised to set up a phone line to allow those who do not have internet access or who require additional support to order COVID-19 test kits. However, the site does not list any phone number yet.
When will the free tests arrive?
On the ordering site, HHS says that orders “usually” ship within seven to 12 days. If you need a test sooner than that—say, if you’re currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—HHS recommends finding a community testing site near you. Since these tests might take a while to arrive, it’s a good idea to order some now and be prepared should you need a test in the future.
Although it’s not a guarantee that you’ll find any, many pharmacies and drugstores carry rapid COVID-19 tests, too, if you’re in a pinch. And if you have private insurance, the Biden administration now requires your plan to provide reimbursement for up to eight store-bought tests per month. You’ll probably have to pay up-front and file a reimbursement claim, though, so keep that in mind before purchasing any test kits.
What kind of tests are available?
The four free COVID-19 tests provided by the government are rapid antigen tests. These tests detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, which imply that you are currently sick with COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although they are generally a little less reliable than PCR tests, most of which are administered by healthcare professionals, they’re still trustworthy and useful, the CDC says.
“All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests,” HHS explains. “You will not be able to choose the brand you order.” The government-provided tests require you to swab the inside of your nostrils to detect the virus. They’ll provide results within 30 minutes, and they work whether or not you are currently experiencing symptoms, HHS says.
When should you use an at-home Antigen test?
You should be tested if you are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to an infected person at least five days ago, the CDC recommends. Self-testing is also helpful before you plan to gather indoors with people who do not live in your household, the agency says.
If you test positive, the CDC says you are very likely infected. You should stay home and self-isolate for 10 days, wear a mask around others, and avoid indoor gatherings to avoid spreading SARS-CoV-2 to anyone else.
In general, rapid tests deliver positive results more accurately than negative results, although both have a high degree of accuracy. If you want to be certain in your test results, use a second at-home test or seek a PCR test from a testing center.
This article is accurate as of press time. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. While we aim to keep all of our stories up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.
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