Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Treatment

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. 

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.