Dear Friends and Colleagues: A quick update to let you know of a few new initiatives for help with ongoing pandemic concerns. Federal Government Website Available to Order Free COVID Rapid Tests The website - www.covidtests.gov - is up and running for U.S. households to order 4 free at-home, COVID rapid tests per delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. The website is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's plan released on December 21 to combat the latest surge of the current pandemic - the omicron variant - by providing 500 million rapid tests to U.S. households beginning this month. It is a simple and quick process to order tests, and it will take 7-12 days for delivery. The Administration has also ordered 500 million additional tests for a total of 1 billion rapid tests to eventually be distributed to U.S. households in the coming weeks and months. Insurance Companies and Group Health Plans to Cover Cost of At-Home Rapid Tests The Biden-Harris Administration has required insurance companies and group health plans to cover over-the-counter, at-home rapid tests for their insured, effective January 15. This is part of the Administration's plan released on December 2 to combat the latest surges of the current pandemic. Insurance companies and group health plans are required to cover up to 32 at-home, rapid tests per month per U.S. household for free; 8 such tests per month per individual. Depending on the insurance company or group health plan, the insured can shop and obtain such tests upfront for free or get reimbursed. There is various news coverage indicating that it will take some time for insurance companies and group health plans to comply with this new requirement. 400 Million FREE N95 Masks to be Distributed The Biden-Harris Administration also announced, this morning, a plan for distributing N95 masks to pharmacies and community health centers in the coming days and weeks. Read the full article from NPR here: Mask Distribution to Begin If you are looking for information on vaccinations and booster shots, please visit the vaccines.gov website. Please visit your member organization website, to learn about additional programs for COVID relief support and more. Thank You.
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