Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Rapid Tests Now Available at No Cost
For Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
Starting February 1, 2022, all Medi-Cal beneficiaries may obtain up to eight (8) over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per month at no cost through pharmacies enrolled as Medi-Cal providers. This limit can be exceeded if the tests are ordered or administered by a medical provider following an individualized clinical assessment.
For at-home test kits purchased between March 11, 2021, and January 31, 2022, DHCS will reimburse Medi-Cal beneficiaries the retail cost with a receipt, using the process outlined here. You can learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.
For L.A. Care Covered ™ and PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan Members
Starting January 15, 2022, L.A. Care members in our commercial L.A. Care Covered ™ Plans and PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan may obtain up to eight (8) over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per month at no cost through an L.A. Care network pharmacy. Read the details in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.
For Cal MediConnect Members
Medicare will cover up to eight (8) over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per month at no cost, through participating pharmacies. Please visit the Medicare website for a partial list of participating pharmacies.
Cal MediConnect members can also use their quarterly $125 Over-the-Counter (OTC) benefit allowance to purchase FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid antigen tests online at Walmart.com or in-store at participating retailers. Please visit Healthy Benefits Plus to order your tests online or to see a list of participating retail locations. For more details, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.
For All Households in the U.S.
Starting on January 19, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests from the federal government at COVIDtests.gov. For those who have difficulty accessing the Internet or need additional support placing an order, call their COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). For more information, please visit the FAQ section of COVIDtests.gov.
For more about COVID-19 testing , please visit our general Testing Information webpage.