![]() Walgreens has also announced a new program that offers free PCR test kits for pickup in-store or curbside, no insurance required. Still, be extra-sure to check the billing details when making an appointment for a COVID test, especially if you're uninsured. Spokespeople for CVS and Walgreens have confirmed that as of May 2022, COVID testing at their stores is still free for people without insurance. If you're uninsured and using the Test to Treat locator map to find a site, make sure you look specifically for the locations that say "Optum Serve." You can also find only Optum Serve testing locations using the Optum Serve map online. (This refers to those Test to Treat sites run by Optum Serve, which is the federal health services business of Optum and UnitedHealth Group.) If you're uninsured and you visit a Test to Treat location that isn't run by Optum Serve, you could potentially find yourself asked to pay costs out of pocket. The state says that services at Optum Serve Test to Treat sites are free to uninsured people. When you input your city or ZIP code in the Test to Treat locator map, look under "Locations with testing, medical visits, and medication (Test-to-Treat)" to find a testing location, not "Locations to fill a prescription." See a list of Test to Treat sites near you on the State of California's map tool. The state says that free testing is "available at select clinics" using this tool, and recommends you look for the word "free" next to the clinic's name.Īs the name "Test to Treat" implies, these locations allow you to get tested for COVID and potentially treated for it by being prescribed COVID antivirals on-site. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)įind a COVID test through the state's map*įor a complete list of COVID testing providers throughout California, use the state's map that says it shows all public and private COVID testing providers. For example, Sutter Health's California Pacific Medical Center says it can schedule tests for nonmembers as long as they have an order for the test from their physician. You may find that certain providers offer testing to nonmembers. Log into your provider's website or app and look for COVID testing options to make an appointment. If you have health insurance and get health care through a regular provider, such as Kaiser Permanente, you may find it easiest to get a COVID test through that provider. If you need results sooner, be sure to select a rapid test.ĭon't have health insurance? Look out for the asterisks (*) below for the testing options most likely to be free for uninsured people.įind a COVID test through your health care provider Most sites require appointments, and test results should be available within three days. Unless otherwise noted, testing sites use nasal or oral swabs to determine whether you have the virus - not an antibody (serology) blood-based test to determine whether you've been exposed. If you're looking for COVID-19 testing in the Bay Area, you have several options - and for many testing sites, you still don’t need health insurance. Where to find a COVID PCR test in the Bay Area Uninsured people have other free testing options, too: Look for the asterisks ( *) in our list of COVID testing providers around the Bay Area to find them. The good news is that your local county testing site most likely will not be affected by that federal funding change, and still will be able to offer you a free test without insurance. This means that if you're uninsured, unfortunately it's now extra important to check that the testing site you want to use still offers free tests for those without insurance. In late March, the federal program that’s been funding COVID testing and care for people without health insurance ended - and in several cases, testing sites that previously offered free COVID tests to people without insurance stopped doing so. ![]() One big thing to know: Finding a test if you’re uninsured became a little more complex a few months ago. ![]() Keep reading for how to find a COVID test near you, and your options depending on your reason for getting tested. But what if you're struggling to find a timely COVID test in the Bay Area - especially when you need the results as soon as possible - or accessing a free appointment? Health experts stress that getting tested for COVID, even when fully vaccinated, is an effective way to stop the spread of the coronavirus faster. Over 75% of Californians are now fully vaccinated, and over 58% have received their COVID booster shot.īut widespread breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people and the recent rise in COVID case numbers around the Bay Area are a reminder that COVID testing remains crucial to ending this pandemic. How can I get free at-home COVID test kits?.How soon after possible exposure should I get tested?.
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