Even years after the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 testing continues to be a powerful tool for containing the spread of the virus and getting the treatment we need if we do get sick. This guide is designed to help you determine when and where to get tested—and what to do if you test positive.

Does Medicare cover COVID-19 tests?

Original Medicare continues to cover COVID tests with no cost-sharing (no deductible, coinsurance, or copayment) when the test is ordered by a physician or other health care practitioner. Original Medicare does not cover over-the-counter (OTC) at-home tests anymore.

Medicare Advantage Plans must continue to cover COVID PCR and antigen tests, but costsharing may apply. A beneficiary should contact their plan to learn more about costs and to find out if at-home tests are covered.

But first, it’s important to understand the different types of COVID tests used to detect an active infection.

What are the two main types of COVID tests for seniors?

• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test: The PCR test was the first created to detect active COVID infections, and it's still the most widely used today due to its high accuracy rate. Samples are most often collected via a swab inserted into the nose, which is then sent to a laboratory. The turnaround time for PCR test results can vary from one day to up to a week.
• Antigen tests (or "rapid tests"): COVID antigen tests are used at testing sites and are available over-the-counter for home use. Like the PCR test, samples are collected via a nasal swab. The sample is processed through a small cartridge, similar to a home pregnancy test, and the results can be viewed within 15 minutes. Antigen tests are considered less sensitive than PCR tests and are more likely to produce false negative results. However, in people with COVID symptoms, they can be a useful tool for confirming a current infection.

When should you get tested for COVID?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should get tested if you:

• Have symptoms of COVID or another respiratory illness
• Were recently exposed to someone currently sick or recovering from being sick with COVID or a respiratory virus
• Have risk factors for severe illness, including being age 65+ and or having a disability or compromised immune system

What about testing before travel? If you're exhibiting signs of illness, of course, it’s best to stay home. If you're feeling well, be sure to plan ahead by checking with your airline and destination about any policies they have for people who feel unwell during a trip, or if they require any COVID testing.

Where can older adults find COVID tests?

COVID testing options include:

• Local pharmacies. Call your nearest pharmacy or visit their website to learn more about what they offer. Many pharmacies have ample types of at-home tests available for $10-20/test. They also may have new at-home tests that can test for both flu and COVID at the same time in stock.
• Your primary care physician. Call your doctor's office and see if they have any same- or -nextday appointments for testing if you're feeling under the weather. Lab-based tests ordered by a physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional are available at no cost through Medicare.
• Community health centers. Your local health center can be a convenient way to get COVID-19 testing. They'll handle the work of determining if your health insurance plan covers the cost of testing and whether there are any out-of-pocket costs. Find a health center near you.
• Urgent care clinics. Beyond treating minor illnesses and injuries, many urgent care centers offer COVID-19 testing. Some allow you to conduct a virtual or phone visit with a provider first. If they determine you need to get tested, they’ll help you book an appointment. Be sure to call ahead to inquire about testing procedures before you visit your local clinic.

Can I still get free COVID tests anywhere?

As of March 2025, the federal government no longer offers free COVID tests through the mail. Howeverm, you might still be able to find them elsewhere. Some other options are:

• Check with your local health department on where free or low costs tests are available.
• FastLab (depending on your insurance coverage, you may qualify for free at-home testing)
• Check out the CDC testing locator.  You can search by ZIP code to find locations that offer no cost COVID testing, but these are not rapid tests and can take several days to come back. 
• Medicare beneficiaries can get free lab tests for COVID when it is ordered by a health care provider and the test is done at a laboratory or doctors office. Medicare does not cover the costs of rapid home tests.

You’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Now what?

According to the most recent guidance from the CDC, if your PCR or rapid test comes back positive,you should isolate from other people as much as possible, including those you live with who are not sick. 

How long you are contagious with COVID varies for everyone. Once you've felt better and have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, you are typically beginning to become less contagious. However, it can take a few more days for your body to totally shed the virus. Over the next five days, take precautions to avoid getting others sick:

• Practice good hand hygiene by covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently, and disnifect high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs and light switches
• Avoid crowded areas
• Ventilate your home as much as possible (e.g., open windows if weather permits)
• Wear a well-fitting mask when you can’t avoid other people in your house

During isolation, you should:

• Monitor your symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience trouble breathing or other warning signs.
• Separate yourself from other household members as much as you can, including pets. Use a separate bathroom if you are able to. Don’t share personal items like eating utensils, cups, and towels.

Should you test again before leaving isolation?

Testing is not required to leave isolation. However, if you have at-home tests on hand, they can be helpful for determining whether you can still spread the disease to others. If you don't have access to rapid COVID tests during your isolation period, you can simply follow the guidance above for returning to normal activities.

At-home rapid tests are a good indicator of whether you are sick with COVID at any given time and will typically not continue to show a positive result if you are no longer contagious. However, if you are using at-home tests to decide whether to resume regular contact with others, use caution, as false negatives are possible.  

If you have access to a home rapid (antigen) test, you can use it toward the end of your isolation period if you want to. Use it only if your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours. If the result is positive, continue to isolate. If it is negative, do a repeat test 48 hours later for to be sure that you will not get your friends, family, or community members sick. This is especially important if people in your household are at increased risk for severe illness (e.g. are pregnant or immunocompromised).

For more details on testing and isolation, visit the CDC website.

Need help getting a COVID test?

Depending on where you live, you may qualify for assistance in making COVID-19 test appointments and getting to and from testing locations. You may even be able to get food delivered to your home if you’re in isolation. Some tips for getting the help you need:

• If you have trouble booking appointments online, contact the pharmacy or other testing site directly to request assistance. You might also ask a tech-savvy family member, friend, or neighbor to help you.
• Use Eldercare Locator to find transportation and other support services.
• Visit Meals on Wheels for meal delivery options in your ZIP code. Services like Instacart allow you to order groceries online from area markets and have them delivered right to your door.
• Dial "211" on your phone to be connected with support resources for older adults in your geographic area.

Vaccination is your best defense against COVID-19

Getting vaccinated continues to be one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19. For older adults and those with chronic health conditions, the current COVID-19 vaccines and boosters have proven to be highly effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Want more information on COVID-19 and older adults? Visit our COVID-19 resource hub.

This article was updated in April 2025.