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Get FREE COVID Test Kits From the Government

Free COVID Test Kits From the Government – Free COVID test kits from the government are no longer available in the United States. The federal government of the United States has recently announced that they are going to suspend all the services of delivering rapid antigen tests to every eligible household in the United States with the help of the United States Postal Service.

In January 2022, the federal government of the United States launched a unique service where they started delivering rapid antigen tests to each household in the country. By September 2022, the federal government has delivered around 800 million rapid antigen tests through the scheme. Each household in the United States has received 18 of those free tests.

Several health experts in the country believe that it was among the most successful schemes of the petrol government during the tough times of COVID-19. It helped them contain the spread of the virus as much as possible. 

Suspension of Free COVID Test Kits from Government

Recently, the federal government of the United States announced that they are going to suspend free COVID test kits from the government to each household in the United States. 

They also mentioned that the government wanted to carry forward the services, but Congress did not release enough funds, and without funds, they can not provide those services. 

Yes, there are some services available in the United States where Americans can get themselves tested for free of cost, but free COVID test kits from the government were very helpful in those areas where COVID testing is not available as easily as in most parts of the country.

Apart from that, free COVID test kits from the government also provided an option to every American in the country to get themselves tested whenever they want. For example, you are on a trip, and you want to get yourself tested for COVID-19.

 With the help of free COVID test kits from the federal government, you will be able to test yourself anytime you want. Now, the equation has completely changed, and you have to visit a nearby laboratory with the prior appointment to get yourself tested.

It surely is a huge blow to too many people in the country. Another decision might trigger some outbreaks of the virus. 

Alternatives of Free COVID Test Kits From Government

If you are worried about your security after the suspension of free COVID test kits from the federal government of the United States, then you do not have to worry about it anymore.

It was not the only service launched by the federal government of the United States to help Americans during the tough times of COVID-19. With the help of agencies like the Centers for Disease control and prevention, the federal government has several schemes where people can get themselves tested.

Reimbursements

The federal government of the United States directed every health insurance provider in the country to provide reimbursements for eight COVID tests for each person in the policy. It means a family of five members can get 40 rapid antigen tests free of cost.

Before you ask for reimbursements for these tests from your health insurance provider, there are some things you should keep in mind. First of all, you should get all the information from your specific health insurance provider. There is a probability that they might have different rules and regulations.

Generally, health insurance providers in the United States suggest their customers buy aid rapid antigen tests each month for each person And apply for reimbursements later in the month. Those tests must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States. Apart from that, you should also keep the receipt of your tests.

Free COVID Test Kits From the Government
Free COVID Test Kits From the Government

Nearby Pharmacies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in partnership with several pharmaceutical giants and testing laboratories in the United States to provide free COVID testing to all Americans. If you are not going to use your COVID test for international travel, then you can get yourself tested in pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid for free of cost.

At the same time, you should also make sure that you are creating an early appointment before you visit the pharmacy. If you don’t have any of the above-given pharmacies nearby your neighborhood, then you can also visit a nearby Walmart store and get yourself tested. Walmart is in partnership with Quest Diagnostics to provide free COVID testing.

If you have already exhausted the above options or you are not eligible, then you can also pay for your COVID tests. Free covid test kits from the government contain rapid entries and tests, and those tests are available at most pharmacies and Walmart target stores for just $10 apiece.

 They’re usually available in a pack of two tests which means you have to spend around $20 to get yourself tested for COVID-19 more than once. If you want to buy these tests for your whole family, then you can buy them in bulk, and you will receive some discounts also.

State Governments

You might have some friends to know, but there are several other options for free covid test kits from the government. Most states have programs to provide free COVID testing to every eligible American in the state. 

If you want to know more about these programs, then you can pay a visit to a nearby community health care center. They might already have some options for you to get yourself tested for free of cost or receive rapid antigen tests.

What were the benefits of free covid test kits from the government?

 Before we wrap up this session, let’s take a quick look at the benefits of free COVID test kits from the government. There is no doubt that those free test kits from the federal government of the United States were a huge help to a lot of Americans in the country. 

Those test kits were very helpful for people who live in remote areas and who do not have access to any pharmacy or Walmart near their homes. As you are already aware, the Centers for Disease control and prevention is in partnership with some pharmacies and laboratories to provide free COVID testing, but it might not have a presence in every neighborhood in the country.

That is why the federal government of the United States launched the program. With the help of the United States Postal Service, the federal government of the United States was providing those free COVID tests.

  • Compared to RT PCR tests, rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as you might think. The representation tests are 80% correct, but that is a big number if you compare the pricing and the time to produce the results.
  • Pharmacies in the United States offer cell rapid antigen tests for $10 apiece, and they’re usually available in a pack of two. You can test yourself two times for $20. On the other hand, you have to spend around $129 to get yourself tested with the RT PCR test.
  • Rapid antigen tests are also fast in producing results, as you can receive the test results within 10 to 15 minutes. On the other hand, you have to wait for at least 24 hours to receive your test results with an artificial test.
  • The list of benefits is very long. You don’t have to visit any laboratory to get yourself tested with a rapid antigen test; on the other hand, the RT PCR test cannot be performed at home.

Surely, the movement against COVID-19 in the United States is going to face some issues with the current suspension of free covid test kits from the government. There are some alternatives available, and they also provide free-of-cost services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone who is experiencing any symptom related to COVID-19 get themselves tested with a rapid antigen test as early as possible.

Apart from that, you can also test yourself before visiting any indoor program and five days after. You can also test yourself after three to five days of getting exposed to the virus.

The accuracy of rapid antigen tests is around 80% which means two test results out of 10 are going to be wrong. To be on the safer side, we suggest everyone test themselves more than once. Testing twice at the same time will rule out any other probability of wrong Results. For better accuracy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest everyone take a look at the instructions on how to take the test.

Can I still get free covid test kits from the government?

No, you cannot get free COVID test kits from the government. People who have already ordered their test kits before 2nd September 2022 will receive them without any delay. There are several other programs of the federal government of the United States, and you can use them.