The U.S. government has halted its free at-home COVID test distribution program five years after the official declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ceased ordering through covidtests.gov on Sunday, stating that the program is not currently accepting new orders. Orders placed before 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 9, 2025, will still be fulfilled as per the notice. The USPS website also confirmed the suspension of ordering as of March 9, 2025.
Previously, American households could order free at-home COVID tests through the website, and these tests were shipped at no cost by the U.S. Postal Service. The ordering system has had periods of closure and reopening since its launch in late 2021, often with adjusted eligibility criteria. Notably, it was briefly suspended in March 2024 before resuming with an offer of four free tests per household in September.
The USPS program webpage now redirects users to covidtests.gov for information on alternative free COVID-19 testing options. The government advises that at-home COVID-19 tests can be purchased from pharmacies, grocery stores, and various other retailers nationwide.
No information has been provided on whether the current suspension is permanent or temporary, following similar past closures. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
The decision to suspend the program comes on the heels of a report by the Washington Post revealing that the previous administration had considered shutting down the program and possibly disposing of or destroying over 160 million unused tests worth more than half a billion dollars. The program was initially intended to close on February 18 but was extended after last-minute deliberations.
The initiative, in collaboration with the USPS, had delivered over 900 million COVID tests to U.S. households via covidtests.gov by October 2024. Additionally, millions of tests were distributed to community locations such as nursing homes, libraries, health departments, and food banks.
For those seeking free or affordable COVID testing, COVID antigen tests typically cost between $12-$35 for a two-pack at pharmacies and retail stores. PCR testing conducted by healthcare providers may incur higher costs depending on insurance coverage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to provide free testing for uninsured adults showing COVID symptoms or exposure through the ICATT program, which operates around 10,000 testing sites nationwide.
In emergency situations, uninsured individuals can receive assistance, with over 19,000 sites providing no-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the CDC Bridge Access program. To locate free COVID-19 testing sites, visit the COVID-19 Testing Locator website. Information on locations offering free vaccines can be found at vaccines.gov. Some insurance plans cover the entire cost of COVID-19 tests. You can verify your eligibility and request these tests covered by insurance through pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS. Your state, county, or city health department may also have free or low-cost testing sites set up in community locations like churches, recreation centers, and schools. To inquire about available testing options, visit your local health departments’ websites, check their social media channels, or contact them directly. This article was originally published on USA TODAY: US suspends free COVID test program: Where to find free testing alternatives.
