You Can Still Get Free At-Home COVID Tests. Here’s How.

On this post-pandemic world, squirreling away COVID-19 checks and masks is as commonplace and reflexive as stocking up on tissues or chilly meds.

However should you missed your probability to get free checks from the nationwide stockpile earlier than it shut down in early September otherwise you want extra, there are nonetheless methods you will get at-home COVID-19 checks at no cost.

5 Methods to Save Cash on At-Residence COVID-19 Checks

Peeked at your at-home testing provide and observed it’s slightly low? Don’t fear. As a result of should you’re paying for fast antigen checks, you’re doing it incorrect.

Listed below are 5 methods to snag free at-home COVID-19 checks.

1. Don’t throw away your expired checks simply but.
2. Personal insurance coverage, Medicare and Medicaid are nonetheless required to cowl at-home COVID checks.
3. Test to see if you should use FSA or HSA funds to purchase checks.
4. See in case your state presents free fast antigen checks.
5. Go to an in-person COVID-19 testing location close to you.

1. Don’t Throw Away Your Expired Checks Simply But

Sure, at-home COVID-19 checks have expiration dates. However to be clear, these over-the-counter checks have been hustled via the emergency course of on the FDA and rubber stamped with a typical four- to six-month expiration date.

Producers at the moment are submitting new knowledge that affirm an extended shelf life spanning wherever from 12 to 18 months.

One of the best ways to find out if expired at-home COVID-19 checks are nonetheless efficient is to go to an official authorities web page just like the FDA’s At Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests database and search by producer. You may additionally want the lot quantity from the check bundle to confirm the prolonged expiration date.

2. Personal Insurance coverage, Medicare and Medicaid Nonetheless Cowl At-Residence Checks

If in case you have non-public insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid, these insurers are nonetheless required by federal legislation to cowl as much as eight at-home COVID-19 tests per particular person per thirty days as a part of your healthcare protection.

There are a couple of methods insurers are doing this. Some cowl the checks at taking part pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. Different plans require you to submit receipts for reimbursement.

3. Test to See If You Can Use FSA or HSA funds on COVID-19 Checks

It’s tempting to make use of the remainder of your FSA funds on at-home COVID-19 checks. Versatile spending account and well being financial savings account funds can sometimes be used on certified medical, dental or health-related bills.

Earlier than you drain the remainder of your FSA funds this 12 months, double-check that at-home COVID-19 checks qualify. Technically, FSA and HSA funds are just for bills not lined by your medical health insurance. Since most insurers are required to cowl COVID checks, it is best to test to ensure this value received’t get bounced again to you.

4. See If Your State Gives Free Fast Antigen Checks

Now that the nationwide stockpile is depleted, some states are stepping as much as present free at-home COVID-19 checks to residents. Maine, Minnesota, and several other different states are working instantly with check producers to coordinate this effort.

Go to Say Yes! To Covid Test web site or Project ACT and enter your zip code to find if free self-tests can be found in your neighborhood.

5. Go to an In-Particular person COVID Testing Location Close to You

If all else fails, there are low or no-cost COVID testing facilities obtainable throughout the nation. Some COVID-19 testing websites will even hand out a house check equipment at self-serve kiosks.

Each federal, state and county governments are serving to to fund free testing websites and different testing assets at native well being departments, pharmacies and clinics. You may search the CDC’s database of free COVID-19 testing areas here.

Ought to You Stockpile At-Residence COVID Checks?

Earlier than you get extra free at-home COVID-19 checks, it’s price asking should you ought to have a stockpile in your medication cupboard. And the reply? It relies upon.

Averaging wherever from $8 to $10 per check, at-home COVID checks aren’t low cost. However the CDC and HHS recommend retaining a number of readily available. If you happen to’re uncovered, you’ll have a fast and simple approach to decide should you or others in your loved ones have to isolate. As a result of you may check unfavorable for a while earlier than you check optimistic, it’s really helpful to check at the very least twice inside 48 hours.

Check producers are additionally warning that they’ve ramped down manufacturing as a result of waning demand and are making about half the number of tests as they have been in early 2022. Check provides may turn out to be a bottleneck if People face one other surge this winter.

Nonetheless, stockpiling dozens of free checks can backfire. Fast antigen checks will expire — even with the FDA-approved extensions. A very good rule of thumb is to have sufficient at-home COVID-19 checks that you could possibly check each member of your family at the very least twice.

Extra Free Checks May Be on the Means

As winter approaches, the White House is renewing its effort to replenish the nationwide stockpile. If Congress approves one other spherical of funding, free COVID checks — courtesy of the USA authorities — could possibly be delivered to the doorstep in time for the vacations.

Kaz Weida is a senior author at The HE