Households To Receive Free At-Home COVID Testing Kits

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Federal officials have confirmed that U.S. households will soon be able to order four free at-home COVID-19 testing kits, which will detect current virus strains. The tests will be available ahead of the holiday season.

Ordering

Starting at the “end of September,” households can place their orders through the official website, COVIDtests.gov. As with previous rounds, individuals will need to fill out a form with their name and residential address to request the tests.

The United States Postal Service will manage delivery, sending the kits directly to mailboxes. Officials have not specified how long the program will remain active.

Program Background and Reach

This initiative mirrors previous efforts launched in January 2022, when households were first offered four free COVID testing kits. Additional batches were made available throughout 2022 and 2023, until the program ended in March 2023. In total, federal authorities report that over 900 million tests were delivered to American homes.

Free Testing for Uninsured Individuals

Uninsured Americans may qualify for free COVID testing through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those without insurance who have COVID symptoms or were exposed to the virus are eligible for testing at no cost. This service is offered at more than 22,000 sites nationwide, including major retailers such as CVS and Walgreens.

This program is slated to end on December 31, according to the CDC.

COVID Testing Options for Insured Individuals

For those with insurance, coverage for COVID-19 testing may vary. Some insurance providers may still cover over-the-counter tests or tests ordered by healthcare providers, depending on the plan. If coverage is not available, insured individuals may use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to pay for tests.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Available

U.S. regulators have approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting the latest virus strains. The CDC recommends the new vaccine for everyone aged six months and older, with the aim of providing protection for the upcoming winter season.