2025 update on free COVID tests: if you are here, you’re probably wondering “Are COVID tests still free?“. The answer is… maybe. Free USPS COVID tests were ended March 9, 2025 by the Trump administration. You may still be able to acces free COVID testing through 2 alternative means in 2025 that I’ll detail further below (health insurance and local testing). Also, note that free COVID vaccines are still available, but the burden has shifted to insurance plans versus direct government funding.
How to Get Free COVID Tests in 2025
The U.S. government’s COVID test website – covidtests.gov – previously highlighted 3 different COVID test options available.
1. Get Reimbursed by Your Health Insurer for At-Home Testing
You may still be able to get free COVID test reimbursements through your health insurer. You will need to confirm with your insurer.
- Test Type: rapid antigen, at-home self tests (no drop off).
- Length of Time for Test Results: 30 minutes.
- Insurance Status: insured individuals.
- Quantity: up to 8 tests per insured person, per month (e.g. 3 insured persons x 8 tests = 24 tests per month)
- How to Get a Free COVID Test: you can purchase online at retailers like Amazon (iHealth, QuickVue, and Abbott BinaxNow are good options) or buy at retail stores over-the-counter (OTC). Insurers are urged to set up networks where you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket. If you do, hold on to your receipt, and check with your insurer on their reimbursement process. Insurers are required to reimburse the full amount, up to $12 per test (so try to stay under that price, which is doable). More details found here. Confirm the details with your insurer.
- When: currently active.
- Thoughts: a good option for those who are insured.
2. Get a Free Rapid or PCR Test at Over 20,000 Testing Sites
- Test Type: rapid antigen or PCR tests at a testing site.
- Length of Time for Test Results: 30 minutes (rapid antigen) or up to 24 hours (PCR).
- Insurance Status: insured (covered by your insurer) or uninsured (paid for by the federal Uninsured Program) individuals.
- Quantity: no limit specified (as needed, seemingly).
- How to Get a Free COVID test: start here to see what free testing sites are available locally.
- When: currently active.
For more information on when to get tested for COVID, see the latest CDC guidance.
3. Get COVID Tests Mailed Directly from the USPS
As of March 9, 2025, free COVID tests from the USPS are no longer available.
- Test Type: rapid antigen, at-home self tests (no drop-off).
- Length of Time for Test Results: 30 minutes.
- Insurance Status: insured or uninsured individuals.
- Current Quantity of Tests you can Order: no longer available.
- How to Get a Free COVID Test: the tests must were available for request at special.usps.com/testkits. If you still have leftover kits, look into COVID-19 test shelf-life extensions on any old kits you still have to see if they are still viable.
- When: this program has ended.
- Thoughts: This was the best and easiest method to get free test kits ahead of needed use, but not the best if you need a quick COVID test result, since you had to wait for a sometimes slow USPS delivery.
Related Posts: