PSA to readers: as of September 26, 2024, the USPS is once again offering free COVID tests for order on the USPS test kit site. Shipping is free as well. This is the first time since March that the federal government has offered the free rapid antigen test kits available for order through the USPS. There was news that this would be happening again by the end of this month and the site is now fully updated and live. Below, I’ll answer a few of the top questions that I had on this development and was able to find answers for.
How Many COVID Tests Can you Order?
According to the website, “Residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.”. Previous free test kit orders at times allowed for multiple orders of 4 tests, but it appears that this time it is only 1 order of 4 kits per residential household.
What if I Need More than 4 Tests? Or Immediate Testing?
Free USPS mailed test kits are only 1 of the 3 ways to get free or reimbursed COVID tests. Aside from the USPS, there are 2 other ways to get free COVID tests, primarily:
- through health insurance
- through local testing at approved testing sites
Additionally some local health departments have COVID tests available for free to the public.
How Long will Free USPS COVID Test Orders Last?
It’s not clear how long free USPS COVID test kit orders will last or how much funding is available for this round of ordering.
What COVID Tests will you Receive?
According to HHS, each order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Test kit brand can vary and are not specified, but in the past, kits from iHealth, QuickVue, and Abbott BinaxNow were common among those sent out.
When will Test Orders Ship? How Long do they Take to Ship?
Orders will ship for free, starting September 30, 2024. In my experience, the orders take roughly about a week to ship (they use USPS Ground Advantage).
I Still Have Old COVID Tests – Are they Expired or Still Usable?
The FDA has a list of updated COVID test expiration dates. If yours have not expired, you may want to hold off on placing your order (which will help others get usable tests) until you’ve used up your current stash of kits. For more info on COVID tests, check out the HHS COVID test website.
Are COVID Vaccines & Boosters Still Free?
Yes, free COVID vaccines are still available – but payment has primarily moved from the U.S. government to health insurers (though the CDC bridge program offers free vaccines to individuals without health insurance).
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