Why aren't rapid tests free?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to a testing site and get a rapid and pcr at the same time. The testing centers are all over the place. Mine are always covered by insurance and I have results within the hour. the over the counter ones do add a convenience factor but if you don't want to pay for them then go to a testing center.

A lot of places still only provide the rapid for free if you are showing symptoms. You can get the PCR for free, but then you have to wait so it's not helpful in reducing the spread/tracking contagiousness.
In an ideal world, we would be able to take a rapid test each morning before leaving for school/work (if desired) without it bankrupting us!

[Anonymous]

I used flex spending on some rapid test kits earlier in the year, but now we're out of that. Have put off buying any more until next year, when (allegedly) they'll have to be reimbursed by insurance. We have more than enough until mid-January, unless one of us gets covid and we need to start testing more often.

Definitely easy to imagine that things could have gone differently if there was widespread use of plentiful, free or cheap rapid tests last year and people didn't go to public places if they tested positive. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I paid $7/test for the Abbott tests, which didn't seem too bad. I ordered some today that were around $8.50.

I was in NYC this week and there are pop up testing tents in midtown where you can get a free rapid test. Would be great to have that here.

Agree. I can get a rapid test closer to home and for free at a testing van in my neighborhood (in NYC) than I can buy one at my closest drug store. I realize it's not scalable in less dense areas but it really should be considered in other cities if they don't have them already.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t find any binax tests available at Walmart.com today. Sold out.

[Anonymous]

Where in DC are people getting insurance paid rapid tests??? I don’t have a car but I do have a bicycle and motorcycle. I know that matters some places.

I think it’s a disgrace the OTC home ones aren’t free.

I had symptoms this week and have since taken two PCRs at the city boxes and still don’t have results. OTC rapid was negative. But if we want people to take them to protect strangers… they need to be free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t find any binax tests available at Walmart.com today. Sold out.

SAme for me at Giant and CVS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t find any binax tests available at Walmart.com today. Sold out.

+1 I had a stockpile of them which I have either used or given away. My college kid took one when he arrived home last night, and I noticed that the expiration date was 12/1. I wonder if the stock was manufactured at the same time and is now expiring.

This is terrible!

[Anonymous]

Virginia is starting to distribute them for free through the public libraries.

[Anonymous]

You pay for the convenience if you want to do it at home. They are $7 at Walmart (2 for 14). BinaxNow often comes back in stock or now there are other brands like this. https://www.walmart.com/ip/InteliSwab-COVID-19-Rapid-Antigen-Test-For-results-anytime-and-anywhere-2-Tests/916411293?athcpid=916411293&athpgid=AthenaItempage&athcgid=null&athznid=si&athieid=v0&athstid=CS004&athguid=RKT1vPW6BTTbkaVT6sZD527LEIG6SjCgDKFK&athancid=null&athena=true

Or for free, make an appointment somewhere and use insurance. Or go to a library and pick one up. Even some VA libraries now have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to a testing site and get a rapid and pcr at the same time. The testing centers are all over the place. Mine are always covered by insurance and I have results within the hour. the over the counter ones do add a convenience factor but if you don't want to pay for them then go to a testing center.

A lot of places still only provide the rapid for free if you are showing symptoms. You can get the PCR for free, but then you have to wait so it's not helpful in reducing the spread/tracking contagiousness.
In an ideal world, we would be able to take a rapid test each morning before leaving for school/work (if desired) without it bankrupting us!

This would be a waste. They don’t work that well on asymptomatic people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia is starting to distribute them for free through the public libraries.

Yep, need to call to check stock, then you pick them up curbside.

[Anonymous]

Because we live in a really terrible country that doesn’t care about people. Just money.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Fairfax county library yesterday and got two for free.

[Anonymous]

I voted for Biden but his administration seems to have not done a great job with policies related to rapid tests. Waiting so long to pick an FDA commissioner probably did not help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to a testing site and get a rapid and pcr at the same time. The testing centers are all over the place. Mine are always covered by insurance and I have results within the hour. the over the counter ones do add a convenience factor but if you don't want to pay for them then go to a testing center.

Wtf do you live?? This is not the reality in most places