In brief remarks made at the White House on Tuesday, Dec. 21, President Biden said the federal government would begin distributing 500 million rapid COVID-19 test kits to people's homes via the web in an effort to control the Omicron variant.
Private health insurance currently covers most COVID testing based on PCR technology when given in hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices. Biden's comments included a statement that said private insurance would reimburse individuals the cost of ordering the online test. In addition, the Federal government will provide free tests to those who do not have health insurance.
Even though the program is scheduled for a January implementation, the details—the exact mechanism, distribution methods, and cost and number of kits—about how the online ordering process and home delivery will work have yet to be determined.