Ordering through the free at-home test program was suspended on Friday, September 2 because Congress hasn’t provided additional funding to replenish the nation’s stockpile of tests.
Testing resources
If you need a COVID-19 test, the resources below are available.
At-Home Tests at Retailers and Pharmacies
At-home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-home tests are available.
Insurance Reimbursement for At-Home Tests
If you have health insurance through an employer or Marketplace, your insurance will pay you back for 8 at-home tests each month for each person on your plan.
15,000+ Free Testing Sites
No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide.
About at-home COVID-19 tests
- What is the status of this program?
- When will more tests be available to order?
- I ordered tests before September 2 – will I still receive them?
- Who do I contact if I ordered my tests but they have not been delivered?
- When should I use my tests?
- My COVID-19 Home Test Kits are about to expire. Do I really need to use them so soon?
Take an at-home test:
- If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
- At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
What if you test Positive?
A positive at-home test result means that the test found the virus, and you very likely have COVID-19.
If you test positive, follow the latest CDC guidance for isolation.
If you test positive and have a weakened immune system or other health conditions, talk to a doctor as soon as possible about available treatment options.
What if you test Negative?
A negative at-home test result means that the test did not find the virus, and you may have a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. Check your test kit’s instructions for specific next steps. If you test negative, you should test again within a few days with at least 24 hours between tests.
If you test negative, follow the latest CDC guidance for self-testing.
Vaccination, Masking, and Social Distancing
Testing is only one step you can take to protect yourself, friends, family, and others. Everyone is encouraged to:
- Get up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine or booster near you.
- Wear a well-fitted mask when gathering indoors.
- Maintain 6 feet of distance between people.