Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Treatment

Recommendations, Availability and Cost

The American Lung Association is monitoring changes to COVID-19 vaccination, testing and treatment coverage and availability and has developed this easy-to-use website to provide updated information.

Changes to Your Healthcare Coverage

Do you or a family member currently have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)? If so, you may soon need to take steps to renew or change your coverage. The Lung Association has information and resources to help you keep or find quality, affordable coverage.
Learn more and get resources

COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and will become available this fall for the 2024-25 fall and winter respiratory virus season. 

You may choose to get a vaccination:

  • At your doctor, pharmacist, or community health center
  • At your state or local health department or
  • By using the COVID-19 vaccine locator

How to Access COVID-19 Testing

Access to COVID-19 testing including at-home, PCR and rapid tests has changed.

Where to get tested for COVID-19:

  • You can order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests online or by calling 1-800-232-0233. 
  • COVID-19 tests can be purchased online, in pharmacies and in retail stores.
  • Visit a community-based testing location such as a pharmacy or health center.
  • Contact your local health department or healthcare provider.
  • If you are uninsured, you can search for a no-cost testing location site using CDC's COVID-19 Testing Locator.

How to Access COVID-19 Treatment

Talk to your healthcare provider to learn whether treatment for COVID-19 is an option for you. Healthcare providers can test for COVID-19 and prescribe treatment.

If you don’t have a healthcare provider, there are Test to Treat locations available nationwide or you can connect with your local health department or community health center.

COVID-19 treatments purchased by the federal government will continue to be free to the public, regardless of insurance coverage. Any treatments not purchased by the federal government may require out of pocket costs.

Insurance Coverage

If you have health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. Adults who do not have health insurance can look for community health clinics and health departments in their area for help accessing a COVID-19 vaccine. Children without health coverage can receive a COVID-19 vaccine through the Vaccines for Children program. You can also learn more about coverage of respiratory vaccines including coverage using our Respiratory Immunization Coverage factsheet.

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. Individuals without coverage can search for a no-cost testing location site using CDC's COVID-19 Testing Locator.

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. There are patient assistance programs available to help get free or reduced cost medications. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available and recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. You can 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.

Talk to an expert

Our Lung HelpLine is staffed by registered nurses and respiratory therapists ready to help answer your questions about COVID-19. Connect with us by phone, email or live chat.

Page last updated: September 26, 2024

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