(NEXSTAR) — Free COVID tests are available once again through a federally-funded program, giving Americans a chance to get four at-home testing kits sent straight to their mailboxes.
The U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program has said for weeks that ordering would “restart in late September,” and that day has finally come.
Tests will start to ship next week through the U.S. Postal Service, officials said.
Here’s what you should know.
How do I order my COVID tests?
As with previous rounds of ordering, you can get four at-home COVID testing kits — which will be able to detect current virus strains, according to officials — by visiting COVIDtests.gov.
Once there, you’ll want to click “Order Free At-home Tests.” That button will take you to the U.S. Postal Service page dedicated to test ordering.
That page will provide details about the tests (more on that in a moment), and include a form for you to fill out. While it is not required, the USPS does allow you to enter an email address that can be used to track your order.
After you’ve completed the form, you’ll want to click the “Check Out Now” button. There is no fee for the tests or shipping and handling, so your total will be $0. A pop-up will appear, allowing you to review your order and click “Place My Order.”
What kind of testing kits will I receive?
Each order will include four rapid antigen COVID tests.
All of the tests being shipped are FDA-authorized, but you will not be able to select which brand you receive. The tests give results within 30 minutes and can be used whether or not you have COVID symptoms or are vaccinated.
As the USPS and HHS pages note, your testing kits may already have “expired” dates on them, but those dates have been extended by the FDA.
Why is my testing kit already expired?
As it has done in the past, the FDA has extended the expiration dates on many COVID testing kits.
If any of the tests you ordered do have an “expired” date on them, you’ll want to check this list of extended dates from the FDA before tossing your kit in the trash. You’ll be able to search your testing kit and, if applicable, find a list of extended expiration dates that can be verified based on lot numbers and the date printed on the package.
What if I want more than four COVID testing kits?
Unfortunately, the federal program only allows you to order four COVID testing kits per household.
Those who are uninsured may qualify for free COVID testing through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. According to the CDC, those without insurance who are experiencing COVID symptoms or were exposed to COVID are eligible for the no-cost testing, which is available at more than 22,000 sites throughout the country, including CVS and Walgreens stores. If you meet that criteria, you can find a no-cost COVID testing site near you using the CDC’s website. This program is set to end on Dec. 31.
If you are insured, you may not have a no-cost option at all. In some cases, however, insurers may still cover the cost of your over-the-counter COVID tests, a COVID test ordered by your healthcare provider, or both, but it will depend on your plan. If your insurance won’t cover your COVID tests, you may be able to pay for them using HSA or FSA funds, CVS notes.
It’s unclear if there will be another round of free COVID tests available from the HHS program.
