• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons

2

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision

3

Social Security faces a 24% cut in 2032—that's a $345 billion hit to retirees nationwide, watchdog says

1

AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons

2

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision

3

Social Security faces a 24% cut in 2032—that's a $345 billion hit to retirees nationwide, watchdog says
HealthCoronavirus

Where to order free COVID tests from the U.S. government—and why you should think twice before throwing away expired ones

By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 25, 2023, 1:59 PM ET
If your medicine cabinet is bereft of COVID tests, now is the time to stock up: The U.S. government is again mailing out free kits, ahead of an anticipated fall and winter surge.
If your medicine cabinet is bereft of COVID tests, now is the time to stock up: The U.S. government is again mailing out free kits, ahead of an anticipated fall and winter surge.Joseph Prezioso—AFP/Getty Images

If your medicine cabinet is bereft of COVID tests, now is the time to stock up: The U.S. government is again mailing out free kits, ahead of an anticipated fall and winter surge.

Each U.S. household is eligible to receive four free tests as of Sept. 25, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Orders can be placed at COVID.gov/tests.

HHS announced last week it would invest $600 million in 12 domestic COVID test manufacturers—Access Bio in New Jersey; Advin, CorDx, iHealth, Quidel, and Kwell Laboratories in California; Azure in Texas; InBios in Washington; Maxim Bio in Maryland; OraSure Technologies in Pennsylvania; Princeton BioMeditech in New Jersey; and Sekisui in Delaware—ahead of the program’s relaunch.

The move reduces reliance on overseas manufacturing and will “help mitigate the spread of the virus,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. 

The wave of free tests is being released ahead of holiday travel and gatherings, according to COVID.gov. Already, domestic COVID infections are hovering near levels of the pandemic’s first peak in 2020, and approaching the Delta peak of late 2021, according to wastewater surveillance and modeling by forecasters. 

While infection rates are dropping slightly, according to wastewater data from federal contractor Biobot Analytics, they’ll likely surge again “later this fall into winter,” Jay Weiland, a leading COVID modeler, tells Fortune—perhaps repeatedly, with lulls in between.

CDC updated data added to the model.

Seems to be riding the top of the range at the moment, but I believe it will trend towards the midpoint in the next couple of weeks. https://t.co/MLnQqi9J3U pic.twitter.com/nezJvOEg4N

— JWeiland (@JPWeiland) September 21, 2023

For those looking to get their hands on a set of free tests this fall, here are some commonly asked questions and answers.

Where can I order free COVID tests in the U.S.?

Simply visit COVID.gov/tests to place your order.

What information do I need to order?

Just your name and mailing address. PO boxes are okay if they’ve been registered as residential.

You don’t need your ID, credit card, or health insurance information. 

Note that all U.S. residential addresses are eligible, including those in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and at overseas military and diplomatic addresses like APO, FPO, and DPO.

What if I can’t order online?

If you don’t have internet access or are having issues placing your order, you can call 1-880-232-0233 (1-888-720-7489 TTY) and receive help in English, Spanish, or more than 150 additional languages from 8 a.m.–midnight ET, seven days a week.

People with disabilities can get help placing their orders by calling 1-888-677-1199, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. Or they can email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.

Those who are blind or low-vision can receive 12 at-home tests approved for the visually impaired, while supplies last. The tests require a compatible Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and an app that can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android. Orders can be placed here and will ship the week of Oct. 2.

How quickly will the tests be sent?

Tests will be mailed via the United States Postal Service’s priority mail, which typically takes one to three business days to arrive. If you provide an email address when you place your order, you’ll get an estimated delivery date and tracking number for use on USPS.com.

What if my tests are expired?

If you’re looking to do a bit of autumn purging, think twice before chucking expired tests, COVID.gov advises. Many manufacturers have extended expiration dates, including Abbott, iHealth Labs, and Pfizer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers a full list of manufacturers that have extended their expiration dates, and to when, by test name.

Do COVID tests still work on currently circulating variants?

Yes, according to the HHS. At-home COVID tests “work as well as they always have”—even on new variants like “Pirola” BA.2.86, “Eris” EG.5.1, and “Fornax” FL.1.5.1, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, recently told Fortune. 

If you have COVID symptoms and have tested negative, you may have another respiratory virus. Or you may have tested too early or performed the test wrong.

At-home COVID tests not working is a common complaint these days, Raj Rajnarayanan—assistant dean of research and associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology campus in Jonesboro, Ark., and a top COVID variant tracker—recently told Fortune.

In such cases, the problem is usually that the sick individual tested too early. At the end of an infection and especially at the beginning, viral loads are not always large enough to turn a test positive.

Most people with symptoms who test negative initially “test positive after a day or two,” Rajnarayanan said.

Here are some additional tips for testing, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • If you have COVID symptoms, test immediately.
  • If you test negative using an at-home test, repeat the test again in 48 hours.
  • If you were exposed to COVID, test at least five full days after exposure.
  • If you test negative using an at-home test, repeat the test again in 48 hours.
  • If you still test negative, wait 48 more hours and test for a final time.
  • In both cases, if you’d rather not wait, you can obtain a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, test at a doctor’s office. These are more sensitive and tend to be more accurate.
The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Erin Prater
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Health

As the World Cup draws millions to 11 U.S. cities, measles—not Ebola—may be the biggest concern
HealthHealth
As the World Cup draws millions to 11 U.S. cities, measles—not Ebola—may be the biggest concern
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 5, 2026
1 day ago
Melinda French Gates is done waiting for health care to take menopause seriously
MPWMost Powerful Women
Melinda French Gates is done waiting for health care to take menopause seriously
By Emma HinchliffeJune 5, 2026
1 day ago
Cronometer Review (2026): Calorie Tracking and More
HealthDietary Supplements
Cronometer Review (2026): Calorie Tracking and More
By Emily PharesJune 5, 2026
1 day ago
Nitrosurge Pre-Workout Review (2026): Expert Tested
HealthDietary Supplements
Nitrosurge Pre-Workout Review (2026): Expert Tested
By Christina SnyderJune 5, 2026
1 day ago
AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons
AITech
AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 5, 2026
2 days ago
The label from a box of peptides next to 10 vials of an orange substance.
CryptoCryptocurrency
I bought peptides with crypto. How my purchase helped fuel a $100 million gray-market, ‘looksmaxxing’ economy
By Ben WeissJune 4, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons
AI
AI CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft set aside their rivalry to warn Congress AI is making it too easy to design and create bioweapons
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 5, 2026
2 days ago
Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision
Real Estate
Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision
By Sydney LakeJune 6, 2026
15 hours ago
Social Security faces a 24% cut in 2032—that's a $345 billion hit to retirees nationwide, watchdog says
Economy
Social Security faces a 24% cut in 2032—that's a $345 billion hit to retirees nationwide, watchdog says
By Nick LichtenbergJune 5, 2026
2 days ago
MacKenzie Scott's approach to her $26 billion giving spree was inspired by a book she read in college about writing
Success
MacKenzie Scott's approach to her $26 billion giving spree was inspired by a book she read in college about writing
By Sydney LakeJune 5, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 5, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 5, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 5, 2026
2 days ago
Ohio city workers are covering automated license plate readers with trash bags as officials sound the alarm on 'egregious violations' of privacy
Cybersecurity
Ohio city workers are covering automated license plate readers with trash bags as officials sound the alarm on 'egregious violations' of privacy
By Sasha RogelbergJune 3, 2026
4 days ago