Free COVID tests available to order again from government
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U.S. households can order four free COVID-19 tests from the federal government with the Sept. 26 relaunch of the at-home test distribution program.
The big picture: High or very high levels of the virus are still present in some parts of the U.S., even though the summer COVID surge has decreased over half the country.
How to order free COVID tests from USPS
How it works: Tests can be ordered on COVIDTests.gov, which directs people to a U.S. Postal Service site.
- The tests will detect current COVID variants and can be used through the end of the year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Tests will start shipping the week of Sept. 30, per the site.
Context: The at-home testing distribution program launched in January 2022. Since then, it has been significantly expanded but also subjected to temporary program suspensions.
- Since the expiration of the public health emergency in May 2023, many insurers stopped covering the cost of COVID tests.
COVID test government hotline
Between the lines: For those who can't order tests through the USPS website, there's a government hotline for help placing orders.
- The number is 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
COVID tests expiration dates
State of play: For some previously distributed tests, expiration dates were extended to account for data that revealed a longer than expected shelf-life.
- A full list of approved tests and their revised expiration dates is posted on the FDA website.
COVID vaccines 2024
Zoom out: In August, the FDA approved new COVID shots from Moderna and Pfizer tailored to the KP.2 strain, which dominated summer cases.
- The vaccines are available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. The federal government lists pharmacies with vaccine availability.
- The CDC encourages everyone 6 months and older to get a 2024-25 COVID vaccine, especially people who are 65 and older, at high risk for COVID or who have never received a vaccine. The COVID and flu vaccines can be administered on the same visit.
Go deeper: Moderna scales back vaccine ambitions as COVID shot revenue plunges
Editor's note: This story was updated with the government hotline number.
