Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Treatment

If you have health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. People who do not have health insurance or have an insurance plan that doesn’t cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, can get a free vaccine from a local community health center, local health department or pharmacy that is participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. You can search for a participating Bridge Access Program provider using Vaccines.gov. You can also learn more about coverage of respiratory vaccines including coverage using our Respiratory Immunization Coverage factsheet.

Requirements that Medicare and private health insurance plans cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month at no cost will end with the public health emergency. Medicare will still cover laboratory COVID-19 tests (like PCR tests) at no cost. For individuals with private health insurance, coverage and costs for both laboratory and at-home testing will depend on your individual plan. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will continue to cover COVID-19 testing (including at-home testing) through September 2024.

Treatment for COVID-19 could include doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, prescription medications and other medical services. Coverage for and the cost of these services will depend on your individual health insurance plan. State Medicaid and CHIP plans must cover COVID-19 treatments without cost-sharing through September 2024. If you are uninsured, you will have to pay out of pocket for COVID-19 testing and treatment.

No. The virus that causes COVID-19 is still circulating and infecting hundreds of thousands of Americans weekly. Public health emergencies are temporary, and expiration does not mean all policies will end immediately. CDC, state and local health departments will continue to provide updated guidance.

The American Lung Association and CDC recommends:

• everyone be up to date on their recommended COVID-19 vaccination
• get tested right away if you are experiencing symptoms
• seek treatment if you are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness and test positive
• stay home if you are sick

Yes. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available and recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. You learn read more about the updated COVID-19 vaccination recommendations on our preventing COVID-19 page. The updated COVID-19 vaccines were created to target the circulating strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccination helps to prevent severe illness, complications and hospitalization from COVID-19.