How to Get Free COVID Tests in the Mail — Again

A positive test is also the first step to accessing treatments, like Paxlovid, that can prevent a mild infection from turning severe. And, says William Schaffner, M.D., of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, “the sooner you initiate the treatment, the greater the benefit to you.”

Older adults are among those at highest risk for a serious case of COVID-19. Hospital admission rates for people 65 and older continue to tower over those for younger age groups, federal data shows, and death rates for those age 75-plus remain the highest.

From the beginning of 2022 through the spring of 2023, the federal government distributed more than 755 million free COVID-19 tests to more than two-thirds of American households. In addition, Medicare covered over-the-counter tests for enrollees, as did many private insurance plans. Those benefits expired, however, with the end of the public health emergency in May, forcing many who have since wanted COVID tests to pay for them out of pocket.  

At-home COVID tests cost around $10 each, or about $20 for a pack of two. The government still offers free testing for people without insurance; you can find testing locations on the CDC’s website.

Along with another batch of free tests, Americans also have access to new COVID-19 vaccines that better target the latest versions of the coronavirus. The vaccines, approved Sept. 11, are available in many doctor’s offices and pharmacies throughout the country.

For the first time, the shots are not universally covered by the federal government. However, they will remain free for many people with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance plans. A bridge program, launched by the CDC, will make the vaccines free for the uninsured and underinsured. You can find vaccine locations at vaccines.gov.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Sept. 21. It has been updated to reflect new information.