[Music] the US government is making available four free covid-19 tests to every home in the United States every home in the US is eligible to order an additional four free at home tests beginning November 20th if you did not order tests this fall you may place two orders for a total of eight tests the u s government wrote on the co.gov website your order of covid test is completely free you won't even pay for shipping the government noted according to ABC News the government is offering the free covid tests in advance of the Christmas holiday and because of anticipated possible winter spike in cases of the virus here's what you need to know the government says it is trying to make covid-19 tests available to underserved communities the government has a button to order the tests on the website need help placing an order for your at home tests call 1 800 232 0233 tty1 1888 720 7489 the page says the US government will continue to make covid-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through through existing Outreach programs please contact the hrsa funded Health Center or increasing Community Access to testing icat location near you to learn how to access low or no cost covid-19 tests provided by the federal government it adds according to ABC News the government used to mandate that insurance companies offer eight free tests per month but that requirement has ended ABC News reported that the first four tests were offered in September and the November offering is for another four tests since September about 14.5 million households have ordered tests for a total of 58 million tests shipped ABC News reported the free tests are designed to be taken at home the webs side button takes you to a page on the u s postal services website each order includes number four individual rapid antigen covid-19 tests covid tests gov has more details about at home tests including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates that page says if an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25th 2023 you can place number two orders now orders will ship free starting the week of November 27th 2023 the page notes the page contains a simple form for your name and address and confirms they are free if you click the checkout button the four tests are individual rapid anti covid-19 tests according to CNN the Centers for Disease Control and prevention recommends testing can be helpful even when you don't have symptoms or a recent exposure to covid-19 such as before an event or visiting someone at higher risk test as close to the time of the event as possible at least within 1 to two days to help you make informed decisions about your health and your risk of spreading covid-19 to others you can also order the four free tests through the cdc's website the CDC recommends any positive covid-19 test means the virus was detected and you have recently had an infection isolate and take precautions including wearing a highquality mask or respirator to protect others around you from getting infected tell people you had recent contact with that they may have been exposed read next where Amy Carter is now