Self-Testing for COVID-19
At-Home COVID Tests
The State of Colorado transitioned its Rapid At-Home testing direct ship program to the Biden administration’s free at-home test program effective March 15, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
Get Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. If you already ordered your first set, order a second today.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
Need help placing an order for your at-home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
If you need a COVID-19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.
At-Home Tests at Retailers and Pharmacies
At-home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-home tests are available.
Insurance Reimbursement for At-Home Tests
Your health insurance company will pay you back for 8 at-home tests per month for each person on the plan.
Why get tested?
Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. If you have symptoms or had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should be tested, regardless of your vaccination status. You may also consider self-testing to screen for COVID-19 immediately before an activity to see if you are positive for COVID-19. You should isolate if you test positive. Testing can reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when you take more precautions to reduce contact with others and notify those that had close contact with you since 2 days before your symptoms started or your test was performed, whichever comes first. Your close contacts should monitor for symptoms, get tested, and reduce their exposure to others as possible for 10 days.
Self-testing offers fast results. Self-tests are one of several options for testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 and may be more convenient than laboratory-based tests and point-of-care tests. Consider keeping self-tests at home or where you may need them.
Who should get tested?
Anyone who wants a test should get one.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, which can feel like a cold, you should get tested as soon as possible, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Follow instructions on how to isolate until you feel better.
If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested three to five days after you were exposed, even if you are fully vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated and were exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow instructions on how to quarantine.
Federal law requires up to two weeks paid leave for those who work for employers with fewer than 500 employees (though some employers with 50 or fewer employees may be exempt). The Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay Rules (“Colorado HELP Rules”) adds coverage for workers as well.
Additionally, there are many resources available to help you if you need to isolate or quarantine, including personal financial help and assistance with affording and obtaining food.
About the program
Colorado is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over-the-counter (OTC) tests directly to resident’s homes. The program uses rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes.
This program has been specifically designed to provide parents, guardians, and caregivers some peace of mind by making it easy to test their children and help keep schools open.
If you are not a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you may also use this program.
All Coloradans can sign up for the Rapid At-Home COVID-19 testing program.
There currently is unprecedented national demand for rapid tests, and we are proud to be the first state in the nation to provide these tests for free to Coloradans. Because of the increased demand it may take 2 weeks to get your order.
What if you test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, follow instructions on how to isolate.
If you are at risk of getting very sick, you may be able to get monoclonal antibody therapy to help you recover. This treatment can help keep you from getting seriously sick and keep you out of the hospital. Monoclonal antibody treatment is available across Colorado.
CDPHE is providing free over-the-counter tests for parents, guardians, and caregivers to administer to school-aged children at-home.
The at-home testing program complements other tools in CDPHE’s COVID-19 toolbox, including in-school screening testing, free community testing sites, and other point-of-care testing programs.
These programs help ensure Coloradans have access to multiple free COVID-19 testing options.
Through ongoing testing, Coloradans can help slow the spread of COVID-19.
This post is an excerpt of the CDC’s webpage “Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Booster Shot“, updated on September 27, 2021, and from the website COVIDtests.gov.
