Free COVID tests will be available again soon: How to get yours

(NEXSTAR) — You'll soon be able to order another batch of free COVID-19 tests when a federal program reopens this month.

While the U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program hasn't yet said when ordering can begin, the U.S. Postal Service page dedicated to it says ordering "will restart in late September."

Officials have confirmed households will be able to get four at-home COVID testing kits, and that the tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season.

When ordering restarts "at the end of September," you will be able to place your order at COVIDtests.gov. As with previous rounds of test ordering, you'll likely be asked to complete a form with your name and residential address.

The USPS will again be responsible for delivering the tests directly to your mailbox.

It's unclear how long ordering will remain available, or whether another round of free tests will be available later this year.

When the program began in January 2022, households could request an order of four free COVID testing kits. Subsequent batches were available throughout 2022 and 2023, with the program ending in March of this year. Overall, federal officials say more than 900 million tests were delivered to American households.

Are there other ways to get free COVID testing?

Those who are uninsured may qualify for free COVID testing through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those without insurance who are experiencing COVID symptoms or were exposed to COVID are eligible for the no-cost testing, which is available at more than 22,000 sites throughout the country, including CVS and Walgreens stores.

If you meet that criteria, you can find a no-cost COVID testing site near you using the CDC’s website. This program, however, is set to end on Dec. 31, according to the CDC.

If you are insured, you may not have a no-cost option at all. In some cases, however, insurers may still cover the cost of your over-the-counter COVID tests, a COVID test ordered by your healthcare provider, or both, but it will depend on your plan. If your insurance won’t cover your COVID tests, you may be able to pay for them using HSA or FSA funds, CVS notes.

U.S. regulators last month approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, hopefully, forthcoming winter ones as well. The CDC already has recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.