Information About At-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests
Order Your Free At-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests
September 2024
The federal government is once again offering four (4) free at-home COVID-19 test kits to every U.S. household. Shipping of the free tests will start the week of September 30, 2024. You do not need to be covered by any insurance plan to be eligible. Order your free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the federal government at COVIDtests.gov.
The free test kits are neither provided nor mailed by Valley Health Plan, and we are unable to answer questions about your order. If you have questions about the federal government’s free test kits, please visit COVIDTests.gov.
March 2024
Effective March 8, 2024, the federal government has suspended the ordering of free COVID tests through the COVIDtests.gov program.
Valley Health Plan (VHP) members can get at-home over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits at an in-network pharmacy. If the in-network pharmacy does not have kits, VHP will reimburse members up to eight OTC at-home COVID-19 tests per month when received from an out-of-network provider. The maximum reimbursement for each test per member is $12. This includes all costs, such as taxes and shipping fees.
End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
November 2023
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), Valley Health Plan (VHP) offered members enhanced COVID-19 benefits at no cost. The federal PHE for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023. Per state guidelines, the following changes will begin on Nov. 12, 2023.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a retail pharmacy
You now have more options when selecting a pharmacy for your COVID-19 vaccine. You may get your vaccine through any retail pharmacy in California except for Walmart and Rite Aid. Examples of pharmacies where you can get your vaccine include Walgreens, Safeway, Costco, and CVS. Please schedule a time in advance with the pharmacy over the phone or online. Remember to bring your VHP ID card.
What’s changing
- COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and therapeutics are subject to cost-sharing when services are received from an out-of-network provider.
- For over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits, you can get the kits at an in-network pharmacy. If the in-network pharmacy does not have kits, VHP will reimburse members up to eight OTC at-home COVID-19 tests per month when received from an out-of-network provider. The maximum reimbursement for each test per member is $12. This includes all costs, such as taxes and shipping fees.
Find more information about free COVID-19 vaccines at ValleyHealthPlan.org/flu-and-covid-season-shots. You can also contact Member Services at 1.888.421.8444 or [email protected].