Free COVID-19 Test Program Stops Taking Orders

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 11, 2025.

By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 11, 2025 -- The U.S. government program that provides free at-home COVID tests is no longer accepting orders.

The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has not said whether the program will ever restart.

"The free at-home COVID-19 test distribution program is not currently accepting orders," the website states.

However, tests that were ordered before 8 p.m. ET on March 9 will still be shipped. Individuals can still purchase home test kits at pharmacies and grocery stores for $10 to $35 per test.

Some insurance plans may cover the cost, and local health departments may offer free tests.

The COVID test distribution program has been paused multiple times since its launch in winter 2021.

It was previously halted in spring as cases began to decline, but then resumed in the fall ahead of respiratory virus season.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not provided a reason for the latest suspension.

COVID cases remain a concern, but numbers have been decreasing. As of March 1, about 4% of people testing for COVID received a positive result, a slight drop from the previous week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hospitalizations and deaths have also seen small declines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to recommend that people with COVID-like symptoms test multiple times to confirm their results.

Sources

  • CNN, March 10, 2025

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2025-03-12 06:00

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords