FTC: Free COVID Tests Now Available
Amid a recent rise in COVID-19 infections, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that free COVID-19 tests will once again be available. Beginning Sept. 25, 2023, U.S. households may place orders to receive four free rapid test kits. Visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s consumer advice web site for further information about how to get your free test kits.
According to the HHS, these tests can be taken at home and may be used whether or not an individual has symptoms. The kits will include instructions and will contain information for verifying expiration dates. Most of the test kits should be valid through the end of the year. Some test dates may show that test kits are expired, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
has extended those dates.
The U.S. government previously shipped over 755 million free COVID-19 tests to citizens who requested them. The program has been paused since May but will resume now in response to rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, individuals should test if they have any COVID-19-like symptoms (e.g., runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or fever) and if they come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Following a negative antigen test, the CDC recommends taking a second COVID-19 test 48 hours later to confirm.
Getting Your Free Test Kits
To order your four free test kits, visit https://www.covid.gov/tests. When you click to order, you’ll be redirected to a shipping form at https://special.usps.com/testkits. You will only need to provide your name and mailing address, although you can submit your email for tracking updates.
The FTC warns that anybody asking for more information is a scammer. According to the FTC, nobody will call, text or email you from the federal government offering to help you order tests or ask for more information. Do not give out your credit card information, bank account or social security number. You can report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission here:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
We’ll keep you apprised of any notable updates related to COVID-19.
[The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.]
