Why aren't rapid tests free?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went by two public libraries this week and both were out. I ended up paying $50 for a 4 pack at CVS, and I also booked a PCR appointment (for free) in Arlington. I have cold symptoms and need to be tested before traveling next week.

Getting the OTC test was not easy!

You have to call to check status at the libraries before driving there.

[Anonymous]

Aldi in Germany is selling a 5-pack of rapid tests for 25 euros in Europe. It should be no more than $5 per test in the US. It's ridiculous that the FDA has not approved more rapid tests.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-03-rapid-covid-germany-day.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

You're not just paying for convenience, though, that's not the sole point of the tests. The PCR tests are more accurate (and less convenient), but they also take two or more days to come back. That means you can't use them in the same way you can use the rapid tests, i.e., am I currently contagious before I go meet up with other people in public?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you talking about, Biden is making them free.

https://www.today.com/health/rapid-covid-19-test-how-get-reimbursed-health-insurance-t242232

Eventually, yes, but they're not free now, and even when this actually happens, you'll still have to (a) pay up front, (b) have insurance that has bothered to follow the rules, and (c) submit paperwork to get reimbursed. That's a lot of barriers to throw up in front of something that we should be encouraging people to use much more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

You're not just paying for convenience, though, that's not the sole point of the tests. The PCR tests are more accurate (and less convenient), but they also take two or more days to come back. That means you can't use them in the same way you can use the rapid tests, i.e., am I currently contagious before I go meet up with other people in public?

Yes, you are paying for convenience but we are all paying the price …these should have been cheaper and more available for many months. Those of us that follow Michael Mina on Twitter have been hearing this since 2020. I have some of the tests at home but at $7 a test, it’s not like I’m going to test my family of 4 every day and other people haven’t acclimated to the idea of using these regularly for the most part. If these were $1-2 each like in Europe and readily available people I know would use them before every play date, basketball practice, etc…it would be very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Look up the new York times article about how many binax tests three company destroyed.