There’s a chance your test result may show up as invalid. This means the test didn’t work. If this happened with your first test, you can try again with the second one in the box (though you’ll need to buy another pack to test again).
Fluctuating Stock and Insurance Coverage
Snagging a rapid at-home Covid test isn’t as simple as walking into a drugstore or clicking Add to Cart. Stock is in constant flux, so you’ll need to regularly check online or at physical retail stores. We suggest calling your local drugstores and pharmacies to check for availability.
To keep up with increased demand, retailers are capping the number of tests per customer. At Walgreens, you’re limited to four tests per purchase both in stores and online. Walmart is limiting its customers to six tests for online purchases (there’s no limit in-store). At CVS, you’ll only be able to purchase six tests at a time.
The cost of at-home kits can add up quickly. The Biden administration has officially launched its initiative to distribute 500 million rapid at-home Covid test kits across the US for free. You can order yours through USPS here. You’ll receive four rapid antigen Covid-19 tests but are limited to one order per household. The test kits start shipping in late January.
As of January 15, insurance companies (both private and group health plans) are required to cover eight FDA-approved over-the-counter Covid-19 tests per person each month. There’s no limit if the test is ordered through or administered by a health care provider after a clinical assessment (including those who need them for an underlying medical condition).
Depending on your insurers’ network of preferred pharmacies and retailers, you’ll be able to order a test online or pick it up in-person free of charge. If your insurance plan doesn’t offer a preferred network, you can submit a claim with your receipt to be reimbursed for the full out-of-pocket amount. Order a test outside of your network and you can be reimbursed for up to $12 per test. Have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA)? You can opt to use either to purchase rapid at-home Covid test kits.
Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Tests
Abbott BinaxNow Antigen Rapid Self-Test Kit
Photograph: AbbottWalgreens, Walmart ($20), CVS, Sam’s Club ($14), Rite Aid
Abbot’s BinaxNow kit provides results within 15 minutes of swabbing your nose and inserting the sample into the included test card. You can then use Navica, the companion app, to self-report your results. Those who test negative will receive a temporary encrypted digital pass they can use as official proof of their test result. With two tests in each box, the company recommends taking another one no sooner than 24 hours but no later than 48 hours. A few members of the Gear team have used this test. We cannot verify its accuracy, but it was straightforward to use, with clear instructions.
Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Simply Medical, Everlywell ($25), Carewell ($27)
With the QuickVue at-home test, all you need to do is swab both your nostrils, swirl the swab in the prefilled tube of solution, and dip the test strip in for 10 minutes. If the result is positive, you’ll see both a blue line and a pink line appear on the strip. If it’s negative, you’ll only see a blue line. This kit comes with two tests, so you can take another one within three days. I have used this test—it’s easy to administer and understand.
