How to Order More At-Home Kits from the Postal Service for Free COVID-19 Tests

On Wednesday, the US Postal Service announced that it would once again begin sending free COVID tests to homes across the nation. The White House has invested $600 million in the new at-home tests, including funding for 12 manufacturing

Since January 2022, USPS has been distributing free COVID-19 exams, and in the four rounds before that, it distributed a total of 20 free tests to each household. The program was put on hold in September 2022 when tests and funds ran out, resumed in December 2022, and then put on hold once more in May 2023 after the COVID-19 public health emergency was over.

The new free tests from USPS are offered at a time when the number of COVID cases is increasing, and the impending colder winter will probably increase infection risks for more people as they spend more time indoors. Learn about various free COVID testing, treatment, and vaccination options, as well as how to obtain free tests from USPS.

For more information, see What You Should know About Long-Term COVID and How to Determine Whether It Is COVID, Allergies, or Something Else.

What is the operation of the USPS-free COVID-19 test program?

CovidTests.gov, a website where households could purchase four free quick antigen COVID-19 tests mailed by USPS, was made public by President Joe Biden in January 2022. In March 2022, the website provided four additional free examinations; in May, eight more; and finally, in the winter of 2022, four more tests. Four COVID tests will also be part of the upcoming shipment wave.

 

Free tests can be ordered via the postal service in a straightforward manner, unlike certain intricate government procedures. The tests are delivered to you in about a week or two after you complete a brief form that only requires your name and mailing address. You can order tests even if you don't have internet access or have problems placing an online order by using a toll-free phone number: 800-232-0233.

On Monday, September 25, 2023, the USPS will begin taking orders for this latest round of free COVID exams.

How do I place a USPS order for a free COVID-19 test?

You will only need to supply a few pieces of information when USPS begins collecting orders for COVID-19 tests on September 25 in order to get your kits. Since both the testing and the delivery are free, you won't be required to provide any credit or debit card information. Here's how to acquire your kits after placing your order.

 

1. Go to special.USPS.com/testkits to start. Covidtests.gov is another way to get there.

 

2. Enter your shipment address and contact details.

 

3. Press Check Out Now.

 

4. After you have double-checked your information, click Place My Order.

 

First-Class Package Service will be used to send all orders.

 

Call 800-232-0233 to place an order for your free testing if you are having problems accessing the website or buying online.

Tests are normally shipped seven to twelve days after an order is properly placed, and the USPS delivers them one to three days after shipping.

 
What additional free COVID-19 test choices do I have?

In addition to the four free COVID-19 tests provided by USPS, there are three more main ways to locate free COVID-19 testing facilities around the US: HRSA health centers, Test to Treat locations, and ICATT testing facilities. These choices work similarly; however, we'll provide the precise steps to locate the closest free testing facility.

HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing.

Health centers all throughout the US are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Free COVID-19 testing is available at these HRSA health facilities. To locate a center close to you, utilize the HRSA location tool.

 

Choose the language in which you'd like to receive your results first. Then, just type the address you want to look for in the location box. You can also increase the search radius on the finder to see all the possibilities available in your region.

 

When you've located a location that works for you, go through its website and adhere to its detailed directions for obtaining a free COVID-19 exam.

Medicine and COVID tests are available at Test to Treat sites.

 

In an effort to improve access to COVID-19 treatment, Test to Treat is a government-funded health care program. In contrast to the other options in this article, this one allows you to use Test to Treat facilities for both COVID testing and infection treatment. A qualifying test for the Treat Center near you can be found using the finder tool, just like the other free COVID-19 testing alternatives.

The Test to Treat center finder functions similarly to the other COVID testing search engines. The tool will show you Test to Treat places nearby when you enter your location into the search window. To find every Test to Treat facility nearby, you can adjust the search radius using a sliding slider.

You may find each location's address, the COVID-19 medicines they provide, and any further special instructions you might need to know in the Test to Treat locator results.

If you require access to free COVID-19 testing, you can utilize the Increasing Community Access to Testing, or ICATT, initiative. On the other hand, ICATT functions somewhat differently from the other applications on this list.

 

The ICATT is intended exclusively for uninsured individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are displaying COVID-19 symptoms. However, regardless of insurance status, anyone can take an ICATT test at one of the program's locations. You won't have to pay for your test if you want to take it at an ICATT-eligible site but don't have insurance. A cost could be incurred even if you have insurance.

COVID testing is made available to uninsured people via Increasing Community Access to Testing.

You may find each location's address, the COVID-19 medicines they provide, and any further special instructions you might need to know in the Test to Treat locator results.

Similar to other locator tools for free COVID testing, the ICATT locator uses your address or ZIP code to discover nearby ICATT facilities. This locator has a search radius slider that you may use to fine-tune your searches to cover the whole area you wish to cover.

Follow the instructions provided by your testing site for setting up an appointment once you've located a location.

 
How can I obtain complimentary COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots?

The COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots are an essential defense against catching the virus or becoming gravely ill from it. You might be interested in learning where to get free COVID-19 immunizations, as the CDC just advised updated COVID-19 booster injections for everyone 6 months and older.

Don't worry if you don't have health care coverage or a doctor. According to the website of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), "COVID-19 vaccines are 100% free for every individual living in the United States."

 

The Department of Health and Human Services introduced the Bridge Access Program on September 14, 2023, which will keep offering free vaccinations to those without insurance through regional health agencies and HRSA facilities.

By adapting the already-existing ICATT program noted above, the CDC has also collaborated with "more than 20,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide" to offer free vaccinations.

 

The USPS will shortly resume sending additional COVID tests to homes after ending the program in May. You may be confident that you will have access to free COVID-19 vaccines up to December 2024, when the Bridge Access Program expires.

Learn more about the latest COVID-19 boosters and how your blood type may make you more susceptible to COVID.

This article's information is meant to be educational and informative only; it is not meant to be taken as medical or health advice. Any questions you may have about a medical condition or wellness goals should always be discussed with a doctor or other trained health provider.