COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

COVID-19 Testing

Testing can be a helpful tool to figure out if you should get medical treatment or take extra steps to prevent COVID-19 spread.  Each household is able to order four free at-home COVID-19 testing kits from USPS as of September 2024.  Testing kits are also available at local pharmacy and retail locations (CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, etc.) and may be free through your insurance.

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities get connected to information about local community resources that support independent living including scheduling a vaccine and COVID-19 test appointment. Get connected with DIAL by phone call, text message or videophone at: (888) 677-1199, or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.

Find a nearby testing location in California at MyTurn.ca.gov. 

People without health insurance do not have to pay for COVID-19 testing at Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) locations. Uninsured patients can search for a nearby ICATT location by using the CDC No-Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator. 

COVID-19 Treatment

Medications that treat COVID-19 are available.  Treatment can make you less likely to have complications from COVID-19, especially if you are at higher risk of serious illness.  For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Risk Factors for Severe Illness from Respiratory Viruses Webapge.  

Patient Assistance Programs (for Covid-19 Treatment costs):
Although there may be a cost for medications, Covid-19 treatment should remain free or low-cost for most patients through insurance and/or Patient Assistance Programs. Manufacturers are offering programs, regardless of insurance status, to people who are uninsured, have commercial insurance which does not cover the cost of the medications, or are enrolled in a state/federal insurance program such as Medicare, Medi-Cal, Tricare, and VA.  If you need assistance getting medications for free or at low-cost, please call the customer support number to speak with a program representative.

For Paxlovid (nirmatrelvi​​r/ritonavir): 877-219-7225

• PAXCESS Patient Support Program
• Pfizer Co-Pay Savings Program Online Enrollment Form
• Paxlovid Co-Pay Savings Program Rebate Form

For Lagevrio (mo​lnupiravir): 800-727-5400

• Merck Patient Assistance Program
• Merck Patient Assistance Program Enrollment Form (English | Spanish)

For Veklury (remd​​esivir): 800-226-2056

• Gilead's Advancing Access - Patient Assistance Program and Co-Pay Program
• Advancing Access Patient Enrollment Form

To learn more about Patient Assistance Programs, visit the CDPH Covid Treatment FAQ page (see question, How much do COVID-19 medications cost?). If you need further assistance with finding COVID-19 medications, call the California Department of Public Health Call Center at 833-422-4255, or email CDPHtherapeutics@cdph.ca.gov.