Need a home COVID test in California? Here are 6 places to find kits less than $30 online
Coronavirus testing kits have been a hot commodity as the highly contagious omicron variant is rapidly spreading around the world, resulting in some businesses hiking up prices due to limited supplies.
Prices for at-home tests can widely range from $10 to $30 or more, depending on the brand and retailer. Some stores are even selling self-test kits for up to $100.
Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to put a stop to price gouging on at-home COVID-19 tests as a way to promote access to fair pricing. Until March 31, businesses cannot increase test kits by more than 10%.
The Biden administration is also looking to lower costs and make testing more accessible by requiring private health insurers to cover up to eight at-home test kits per month for people who have a health plan. Starting Saturday, individuals with private health plans can either get a free test using their insurance or get a reimbursement for their test purchase.
If you need a test now or don’t have insurance, there are some reasonably-priced test options online. Pricing and stock levels may change.
CVS
CVS has some at-home rapid test options, but many are sold out. As of Tuesday, the store still has FlowFlex COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests, which have emergency use authorization, for $9.99. There is a limit of six per order.
iHealth Labs
You can get two iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for $19.80, plus tax. The website is offering free shipping, but orders ship in 10 days and can take five to 10 more days due to transit.
Optum Store
Optum Store still has On/Go 10 minute COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test kits in stock for $23.99. According to the website, most orders will ship within four to five days. The test has emergency use authorization from the FDA.
The retailer is currently out of stock of its QuickVue At Home OTC COVID-19 Rapid Tests and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID‐19 Antigen Self Tests, which both sell for $23.99. They do have other kit options, but prices range from $69.99 to $99.99.
On/Go
The website is selling its On/Go 10-minute COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests for $29.99.
Amazon
Amazon has a few options for COVID tests. It’s selling iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for $19.80 and On/Go at-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Tests for $24.88.
Walgreens
Walgreens offers at-home rapid COVID tests online and in-stores, however they sell out quickly. Kits from the pharmacy chain sell for $9.99 to $23.99, but prices may vary in-store and online.
As of Tuesday, Walgreens has several options that are out-of-stock online, but check back on the website or visit your local pharmacy.
Buy safely
Before making an online purchase, you should check to see if the test available at the store is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
With the high demand for tests, individuals should also be aware that there are counterfeits online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people should scope out the website and seller before buying a test from an unfamiliar website. This includes researching the company name and looking at user reviews.
The FTC also recommends that people pay with a credit card, that way they can dispute the charge if the order doesn’t arrive or if the delivered test is not as advertised.
To find a professionally administered test near you in California, visit the state health department’s website and use its interactive map.
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Need a home COVID test in California? Here are 6 places to find kits less than $30 online."