Key TakeawaysYou can now request four more free COVID-19 rapid tests onCOVIDTests.gov.Before you throw out an expired rapid test, checkif their expiration dates have been extended.The tests should be able to detect the circulating COVID-19 variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86.

Key Takeaways

You can now request four more free COVID-19 rapid tests onCOVIDTests.gov.Before you throw out an expired rapid test, checkif their expiration dates have been extended.The tests should be able to detect the circulating COVID-19 variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86.

A new round of free at-home COVID-19 tests will be available starting September 25 onCOVIDTests.gov. Each household will be able to request up to four tests.

The announcement comes shortly afterthe recommendation of a new COVID-19 vaccine. While COVID-19 hasn’t fallen into a clear seasonal pattern yet, cases have peaked during each of the past three winters.As colder months approach, testing remains a key way to slow the spread of the disease.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it is granting $600 million to a dozen COVID-19 test manufacturers and for the reopening of COVIDTests.gov. These investments would secure about 200 million new rapid tests for government use.

“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in astatement.

The federal government distributed its first round of free rapid tests during the Omicron surge in 2021. It has since sent several rounds of free tests, doling out about 755 million testsin total.

Private insurers were previously required to pay for eight at-home tests per patient each year, but that rule expired when thepublic health emergency order ended in May.

An expired COVID-19 rapid test may still be usable. You can check if a test expiration date has been extended, or if you should follow the date on the box, onthis FDA webpage.

What This Means For YouStarting Monday, you will be able to request up to four COVID-19 tests per household online at covidtests.gov. You can refer to this guide from the CDC more information about how to use a rapid antigen test and how to understand the results.

What This Means For You

Starting Monday, you will be able to request up to four COVID-19 tests per household online at covidtests.gov. You can refer to this guide from the CDC more information about how to use a rapid antigen test and how to understand the results.

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?