Vaccines remain one of our best protections against COVID-19 and flu. In December, the federal government added one more layer of support for people who are sick and can’t leave the house or for folks who are uninsured. The expanded Home Test to Treat program now provides free testing, telehealth, and treatment options.
The NIH press release explains that Home Test to Treat “is the first public health program that includes home testing technology at such a scale for both COVID-19 and flu.” And while the focus is on two illnesses for now, the program also aims to “better understand how technologies such as at-home tests and telemedicine can improve health care access across the country.”
Who is eligible for this program?
Home Test to Treat currently focuses on two groups of people:
- People who are currently positive for COVID-19 or flu. These participants can enroll to receive free telehealth care and treatment.
- People who are uninsured or underinsured adults (18+); on Medicare, or Medicaid; in the VA healthcare system; or who receive care from Indian Health Services. If you are part of this group, you can register now without a positive COVID-19 or flu test.
What services does the program offer?
If you enroll as part of the second group, the program will ship you free COVID-19 and flu tests. If you enroll while currently positive, you do not receive access to tests.
For anyone who enrolls and is positive for COVID-19 or flu, the program provides free telehealth care. If your telehealth provider determines that you need any treatment—like Paxlovid for COVID, for example—the treatment will be sent to your home for free.
The program is really and truly free?
It is! Home Test to Treat will never ask for or try to bill any insurance. The program is funded by the federal government and is part of important research about the possibilities of telehealth. And while data about participants will be used in that research, the program will not use identifying information and will follow all HIPAA requirements.
How do I get started?
Learn more and register at the Home Test to Treat website. You can also call 1-800-682-2829 for more information.
COVID-19 and flu are still parts of our holiday season, so take steps now to protect yourself and get the help you need in case of illness!