COVID tests

A new round of free COVID tests is coming soon

2:48pm August 24, 2024

Starting in late September, Americans will be able to order up to four free at-home COVID-19 tests that will be delivered to your mailbox. The tests will be able to detect newer variants of the virus.

Health & Safety

Top COVID FAQs of 2023: Staying safe at home, flying tips, shot combos, new variant

5:30pm December 21, 2023

by Marc Silver

How do I stay safe now that the public health emergency is over? We answer questions on boosters, risks when flying — and the new JN.1 variant.

School districts across the country will be able to order free COVID-19 tests from the federal government starting in early December.

Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools

5:05pm November 29, 2023

by Will Stone

Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community.

Some older Americans got dozens of COVID tests they never ordered in the mail, just as the free test benefit was ending. It could mean they are at risk for more fraud involving their Medicare numbers.

Health & Safety

Seniors got COVID tests they didn't order in Medicare scam. Could more fraud follow?

8:16am May 18, 2023

by Susan Jaffe

Some seniors got dozens of COVID tests they never ordered. Bad actors may have used seniors' Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government — and could do it again, investigators say.

Health & Safety

The FDA recommends 3 home tests if you're exposed to COVID to boost accuracy

5:46pm August 11, 2022

by The Associated Press

Previously, the FDA had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. But the agency says new studies suggest that protocol can miss too many infections.

In this photo illustration, free iHealth coronavirus rapid tests from the federal government sit in a U.S. Postal Service envelope after being delivered on Feb. 4.

You can order free COVID tests from the government again

9:49pm March 07, 2022

by Tamara Keith

More than half of U.S. households have ordered at-home COVID-19 tests to be shipped to their homes. Now they can get more.

COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits are seen in Los Angeles on Jan. 7.

Over-the-counter COVID tests will soon be free for Medicare recipients

7:40pm February 03, 2022

by Alana Wise

The Biden administration said that Medicare recipients will be able to get up to eight tests a month, free of charge.

Shown above are rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits ready to be distributed by the GreenRoots environmental protection organization and Chelsea Community Connections in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

A shot and a swab: New Hampshire to sell at-home COVID tests in liquor outlets

10:38pm January 28, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu says he expects the at-home tests to be available at statewide liquor stores within the next two weeks.

There are several ways older adults can get free rapid antigen tests, but Medicare will not reimburse them when they purchase them.

Health & Safety

Seniors are at high risk of COVID, but Medicare doesn't pay for rapid tests

3:22pm January 24, 2022

by Michelle Andrews

The laws governing Medicare don't provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, including rapid antigen tests. Here's how older adults can get free tests anyway.

Rapid tests can help you figure out if you have been infected with the coronavirus. But how accurate are they? Scientists trying to find out whether they are less sensitive to omicron and why.

Health & Safety

Why rapid COVID tests aren't more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them

9:39pm January 23, 2022

by Maria Godoy

Recent research and anecdotes suggest people are testing negative on rapid tests even after they have symptoms, then later testing positive. Here's what researchers think is going on.