Free OTC COVID-19 Test Kits Available from the Federal Government
COVID-19 home test kits are once again available free of charge to all U.S. households. Each household may order up to four free test kits, and they will be delivered at no cost by the U.S. Postal Service.
Employer Action Items
In preparation for an anticipated uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter season, employers should consider informing their employees of the availability of free testing kits and how to obtain them.
Summary
On September 20, the Biden Administration announced that it is reviving a program to mail free COVID-19 rapid home testing kits to those U.S. households that place an order for them at www.COVIDTests.gov, beginning Monday, September 25. Officials have indicated that the tests are able to detect the latest variants and are intended to be used through the end of 2023.
As you may recall, when the public health emergency ended earlier this year, large insurance companies were no longer required to reimburse the costs of home testing kits and as a result, most health plans have ceased making these kits available free of charge. The Biden Administration stopped mailing free tests back in June of this year.
In conjunction with this announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services also indicated that it was awarding $600 million to various COVID-19 testing manufacturers with the hope that it would strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and provide the U.S. government with 200 million over-the-counter testing kits for future use.
More Information
For additional information, visit www.COVIDTests.gov. For questions regarding this Legislative Update or any other related compliance issues, please contact your Burnham Benefits Consultant or Burnham Benefits at 949‐833‐2983 or inquiries@burnhambenefits.com.
This Legislative Update was prepared by the Baldwin Regulatory Compliance Collaborative (the “BRCC”), a partnership of compliance professionals offering client support and compliance solutions for the benefit of the Baldwin Risk Partners organization, which includes: Jason Sheffield, BRP National Director of Compliance; Richard Asensio, Burnham Benefits Insurance Services; Nicole L. Fender, the Capital Group; Bill Freeman, AHT Insurance; Stephanie Hall, RBA/TBA; Caitlin Hillenbrand, AHT Insurance; Paul Van Brunt, Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners (BKS); and Natashia Wright, Insgroup.
Burnham Benefits and the BRCC do not engage in the practice of law and this publication should not be construed as the providing of legal advice or a legal opinion of any kind. The consulting advice we provide is intended solely to assist in assessing its compliance with applicable federal and state law requirements, and is based on our interpretation of federal guidance in effect as of the date of this publication. To the best of our knowledge, the information provided herein, and assumptions relied on, are reasonable and accurate as of the date of this publication. Furthermore, to ensure compliance with IRS Circular 230, any tax advice contained in this publication is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of (i) avoiding penalties imposed under the United States Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any tax-related matter.