Please be advised that starting today, January 18th (a day earlier than previously announced), Americans will be able to order free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the government, in the Biden Administration's ongoing effort to curb the latest, record-breaking coronavirus surge. The official launch to order these free at-home tests is tomorrow, January 19th, but again, you can do so now.
Here’s what you need to know about getting your tests:
What is the site?
People can visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ to order their free at-home tests or go directly to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) order form here: https://special.usps.com/testkits.
How many can you order?
Each household will be able to order four (4) free tests. You will be asked for name and address. You can also provide your email address if you want status updates on your shipping.
How will you get your tests?
The tests will be shipped free via the U.S. Post Office. All orders in the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service, with shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories and APO/FPO/DPO address sent through Priority Mail.
How soon will you get your tests?
Tests will typically be shipped within 7-12 days of ordering.
What if you don’t have internet access?
A phone line will be established to allow people to call in their orders. According to the White House, national and local community-based organizations will also be helping with providing tests. The phone number has not been announced.
What about health insurance?
The four tests will be provided free via the website. Also, as of Jan. 15, private health insurance companies are required to cover at-home COVID tests. Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover eight free at-home tests per individual, per month.
Public interest in the site is already surging, leaving all other government websites far behind, according to a website that tracks web traffic to government sites. By early Tuesday afternoon, almost 380,000 had visited the test website, while interest in tracking packages sent using the U.S. Postal service was just over 31,500.
For frequently asked questions regarding the free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government, please visit this site: https://www.covidtests.gov/faq/.
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