(RxWiki News) Can't find an open COVID-19 testing appointment? You may be able to get a free at-home test.
That's because the federal government has begun shipping four free at-home COVID-19 tests to any US household that requests them.
It has also mandated that insurers have to reimburse patients for as many as eight at-home tests per month for each person on your insurance policy. That means you can purchase an at-home test at your local pharmacy and get reimbursed for it if you have health insurance.
Officials said on the free COVID test website that online orders of COVID tests will typically ship between seven and 12 days after you place the order. The tests are rapid at-home tests that provide results in as little as 30 minutes.
This option may be particularly helpful for people in areas that have limited numbers of tests available in stores. COVID testing appointments have also been hard to come by in some places, and a free at-home test may prove to be a helpful resource.
If you can't wait a week or more for the tests to ship or need another type of test, your local community pharmacy remains a go-to resource for tests, vaccinations and various other health resources during the pandemic.
To order free at-home COVID tests, visit the COVIDtests.gov website.
If you believe you have COVID-19 or have any questions about COVID testing, vaccines or treatments, reach out to your local community pharmacist or health care provider.
