Government suspends free COVID test distribution program

The big picture: The at-home testing distribution program launched in January 2022. Since then, it has been significantly expanded but also had been suspended a few times over the years.

• The program last returned on Sept. 26 and took orders through Sunday night.
• It was not immediately known if the program could return in the future.

Zoom in: "The free at-home COVID-19 test distribution program is not currently accepting orders," the COVIDTests.gov website said Monday.

• "Tests ordered before 8:00 PM EDT, Sunday, March 9, 2025, will be shipped," the site states.
• The USPS website for ordering the free tests also said the program was "suspended effective March 9, 2025."

Flashback: Since the expiration of the public health emergency in May 2023, many insurers stopped covering the cost of COVID tests.

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.

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