The U.S. government’s program to obtain free Covid-19 tests delivered straight to your door or mailbox by the U.S. postal service is winding down. You should act now to receive the four last tests by clicking here to fill out a brief form that only asks for your shipping address so you can obtain them (you can opt-in to give your email address if you want shipping notifications). Shipping and handling are free for these over-the-counter, at-home rapid antigen kits.
If you’re looking at your medicine cabinet thinking the tests you already have may have expired, think again. At this FDA website, you can learn whether manufacturers of specific tests have extended the expiration date because subsequent data has shown that that shelf life is actually longer than initially calculated. The site lists more than 30 brands, many of which now have extended shelf lives.
As President Biden said in an official press statement, even if you have used up all your free test kits, health insurance companies are required to reimburse for eight free at-home tests per person per month (basically, you could test twice a week with your health insurance covering your tests!), at least until the Public Health Emergency draws to a close in May (it was extended from its original date in March).
He also urged Americans to stay up on their Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters. As reported by KHN, these shots are currently free but when the Public Health Emergency ends next month, vaccine manufacturers will start charging, likely $110-130 per dose.
We never know when that certain cold seems to linger or feel different, and having plenty of test kits on hand is key to being able to test to see if it’s Covid-19 (and retest, since many people initially get a negative result—and even the next day can test positive). Stay healthy out there!
Editor's note: This post has been updated.