(NEXSTAR) — The U.S. is seemingly still facing a summer wave of COVID-19 infections, with test positivity rates at or above 10% in nearly all of the country, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.
If you’re experiencing any COVID-like symptoms — which may feel different than those you’ve experienced before — you may find yourself reaching for those free COVID tests you received via mail as part of a federal program.
The last day you could order those tests, however, was early March, which means any tests you have from the program’s various distribution waves may have since expired. While some tests may have extended expiration dates from the Food and Drug Administration, past-date tests may produce inaccurate results.
So, if you’re stuck with an outdated test and don’t have any more, can you get more for free?
Ultimately it depends on whether or not you have insurance.
Since the free federal COVID test program ended in March, there’s been no indication it will be restarted again.
Those who are uninsured, however, may qualify for free COVID testing through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. According to the CDC, those without insurance who are experiencing COVID symptoms or were exposed to COVID are eligible for the no-cost testing, which is available at more than 22,000 sites throughout the country, which include CVS and Walgreens stores.
If you meet that criteria, you can find a no-cost COVID testing site near you using the CDC’s website. This program is, however, set to end on Dec. 31, according to the CDC.
If you are insured, you may not have a no-cost option at all.
While insurers were briefly required by the Biden administration to either provide you tests for free or reimburse you for COVID tests, that mandate has since expired.
In some cases, however, insurers may still cover the cost of your over-the-counter COVID tests, a COVID test ordered by your health care provider, or both, but it will depend on your individual plan.
Walgreens recommends contacting your insurance provider before ordering COVID tests through its pharmacy. A claim will also be submitted to determine whether the cost is covered, or if you’ll owe a copay. The retailer notes that even if your plan provides coverage, you may be limited in the number of tests you can get in a month.
If your insurance won’t cover your COVID tests, you may be able to pay for them using HSA or FSA funds, CVS notes.
Medicare no longer covers or pays for over-the-counter COVID tests for those with Medicare Part B benefits. Those on Medicare Part B “usually pay nothing” for COVID diagnostic tests that are ordered by a Medicare-enrolled doctor or health care provider. Medicare Advantage Plus may, however, charge copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for clinical COVID lab tests, according to Medicare.gov.
If you’re insured through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, over-the-counter and laboratory COVID testing will still be covered through the end of September. After that, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says, “coverage of testing may vary by state.”
Your access to free COVID tests may also vary depending on where you live. In California, for example, those enrolled in Medi-Cal can receive up to eight free tests a month, according to the state’s health department. Most insurance plans in the state will pay or reimburse members for the same number of at-home test kits each month.
Before you buy any at-home COVID testing kits, health officials recommend purchasing those approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Alix Martichoux contributed to this report.
