Covid Tests

Does anyone know of a reputable website/phone number that you can request free Covid tests from?

It seems it's making a comeback with a new variation in NY state. I know three people who have it now.

The VA doesn't provide them. I know the Federal government did at one time.

Any ads I've seen appear to be scams.

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I went to walgreens the other day to get my free tests that my insurance provides and I was told they are no longer covered. I'm sorry what????? I work at a hospital and if we are exposed, we are REQUIRED to take a test, home tests are acceptable, before coming in to work. I am going to see if the employee health department will give me some. My daughter was sick the other week and used the lasts of my tests. $28 for two tests here to purchase. Outrageous. COVID is on a rampage again.

No more free tests.

I work at a Senior citizen center. I'd hate to go to work not knowing and passing it on to the Senios I come in contact with.

I think one of NYC bouroughs just passed a law prohibiting wearing masks in public. Something about hiding their identity, guessing criminal activity taking place.

Funny thing is more than 50% of the people I see still wearing masks aren't covering their noses.

I work at a Senior citizen center. I'd hate to go to work not knowing and passing it on to the Seniors I come in contact with.

I think one of NYC bouroughs just passed a law prohibiting wearing masks in public. Something about hiding their identity, guessing criminal activity taking place.

Funny thing is more than 50% of the people I see still wearing masks aren't covering their noses.

I don't remember where I saw it, but there was an announcement that covid tests were no longer going to be free/covered by insurance. If it's ramping back up, I would expect that to change.

I just wonder If the tests currently available will detect new/future variants.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

I got a couple from my local library. They had them on display and it was free to take.

And here I thought if I got 500 shots I wouldn't have to worry about it. Looks like the government was wrong AGAIN!

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

You need to get a booster with the latest variants every 6 months. The CDC and NIH have been consistent with that recommendation. And remember that the vaccine was intended to prevent serious cases, not prevent getting COVID. Non-compliance is a serious issue. Only 29% of Medicare (which pays for vaccinations) recipirnts are up to date on boosters. A new booster will be available in October.

@ServiceAward wrote:

And here I thought if I got 500 shots I wouldn't have to worry about it. Looks like the government was wrong AGAIN!

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2024 01:52AM by myst4au.

Free ones are hard to come by these days. My insurance stopped covering them. I can go to my doc and get one if I suspect I have COVID, but no free home testing.

I read last week that a very high percentage of the US public is currently positive (the estimate was 1/3, which seems pretty crazy), but that was based on a 1 million new cases per day.

Last time I caught COVID was on an airport shop and I was wearing a mask, but took it off to eat, so everyone be careful!

As my medical experience and medically educated family has stated, viruses will do what they do. Mutate.

And I agree the new vaccine will not prevent you from contracting Covid but could mitigate your symptoms.

The VA provided me with Paxlovid when I tested positive last year. It wiped it out for a week and then it came back 10 times worst for a month.

There's no perfect solution. But we all need to do what we feel is best for us. Win or loose.

Two of my medically educated siblings didn't get the shots because they were holistically preventing Covid. Both of them got it.

Now one has long-Covid or whatever it's called and it's really messed with her life.

Long Covid is serious. I have a friend who has had it for nearly 3 years. Docs don't know what to do. His respiratory system is screwed up now. Was perfectly healthy prior to Covid infection. He has been hospitalized twice. Regarding free Covid home test, I don't think they are back yet.

In searching I found that all Medicare plans still provide up to 8 free test kits per month. I would not recommend stocking up on them as their shelf life is not that long but if you know someone who is a senior on Medicare or prob people on SSI thru Medicare as well and they have not gotten their limit this month they can probably order some for you. The last time I got any for myself was about 9 months ago. I am pretty sure CVS will stock them for Insurance companies. They do service my pharmacy plan.
In addition you can check with your local county health dept to find out if there is anywhere in your county still providing free tests.

does this belong in General Chat?

Where is the laughing emoji when you need it?

But seriously, shouldn't this topic be in general chat?

@myst4au wrote:

You need to get a booster with the latest variants every 6 months. The CDC and NIH have been consistent with that recommendation. And remember that the vaccine was intended to prevent serious cases, not prevent getting COVID. Non-compliance is a serious issue. Only 29% of Medicare (which pays for vaccinations) recipirnts are up to date on boosters. A new booster will be available in October.
@ServiceAward wrote:

And here I thought if I got 500 shots I wouldn't have to worry about it. Looks like the government was wrong AGAIN!

So, are you suggesting that discussing COVID test availability is acceptable, but discussing COVID inoculations is not appropriate? Both are aspects of public health.

@BarefootBliss wrote:

does this belong in General Chat?

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Shocked that people don't have them on hand...my husband and I both requested the maximum when the gov was sending them for free. We also got all the leftover tests from family members who don't believe they need them. We have maybe 20-30 tests still, and will pick up more when our local library offers them again in the fall. He just had it 3 weeks ago for the second time.

Remember to check the expiration dates.

I was really pissed at my my sister who has long covid for giving away the tests I requested and got from the government because she said "we didn't need them at the moment".

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2024 01:40AM by wrosie.

I don't know where to get any that aren't expired. The pharmacist said the ones I have will not give a false positive, but could register negative incorrectly.
I guess if you're under the weather stay home.

@Luv2Travel123 wrote:

Shocked that people don't have them on hand...my husband and I both requested the maximum when the gov was sending them for free. We also got all the leftover tests from family members who don't believe they need them. We have maybe 20-30 tests still, and will pick up more when our local library offers them again in the fall. He just had it 3 weeks ago for the second time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2024 02:46AM by prince.

sandyf-- are you sure Medicare is providing free test kits? What I am hearing is that they will PAY for tests ordered by Drs, but no kits.

My son worked at a factory and they were required to test if they had symptoms but they provided tests for employees. It seems that if an employer requires testing, they should have to provide the tests.

Medicare stopped paying for over the counter COVID tests on May 11, 2024. Below is a link to the relevant CMS website.

[www.cms.gov]

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

I am often going to NYC and wearing mask all time while inside.

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

[www.cnn.com]

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

@wrosie It looks like it's available now
[covidtests.gov]

I ordered mine the other day when they announced they were now available on Sept 26. Got them on Sept. 30

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