CDC website for free covid tests set to close

If you want a free covid test sent to your door, you’d better hurry.

The popular website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that uses the Postal Service to deliver rapid tests to U.S. addresses at no cost will stop taking orders on Friday. The White House says the program that began in January must end because of a lack of additional funding from Congress and to make sure there are enough tests stockpiled for an expected fall surge in cases.

The White House said the site, covidtests.gov, delivered 350 million tests as of May, when the third round of ordering was opened. By then, 70 million households had used the site.

The program allowed up to 16 free tests to be ordered per address over the course of the year. Orders placed before the cutoff Friday will be fulfilled.

While this program is on hold for now, there are still free or cheap options available for at-home testing. Most insurance companies will reimburse members for up to eight tests a month and depending on the pharmacy, you simply have to show your health insurance card.

Jack Moschgat, pharmacist at Mainline Pharmacy in Harrison City, said his store had distributed over 200 self tests to customers this August alone.

While the pharmacy still offers drive-thru testing, demand for that has slowed since rapid covid tests have become widely available.

“Pretty much everyone uses the at-home tests,” Moschgat said. “No one really needs the lab tests unless they need documentation for work or travel.”

The self tests were readily available this week at different price points at local pharmacies. Purchasers who are charged a fee should send receipts to their insurance company for reimbursement. The program requires insurance providers to cover up to $12 per test and many options cost less than that.

The U.S. on Wednesday authorized its first update to covid-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common omicron strain. Shots could begin within days.

The move by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna in hopes that the modified boosters will blunt yet another winter surge.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.