The Biden-Harris Administration launched a new nationwide Test to Treat initiative to give individuals an important new way to quickly access free lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. These “One-Stop Test to Treat” sites are available at hundreds of locations nationwide, including pharmacy-based clinics,
While vaccination continues to provide the best protection against COVID-19, therapies are now available to help treat eligible people who do get sick. Two oral antiviral pills – Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Lagevrio (molnupiravir) can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization when taken within five days of first COVID-19 symptoms.
Questions & Answers
What pharmacy-based clinics, health centers, and long-term care facilities have partnered with HHS as part of the Test to Treat initiative? Some of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains are participating.
The participating locations are health clinics, federally qualified (community) health centers, long-term care facilities, and participating pharmacies.
These oral antivirals may only be prescribed by a qualified health care provider qualified to prescribe these COVID-19 therapies.
How does the Test to Treat program work?
Individuals are able to get tested and if they are positive and eligible for treatment – to receive an appropriate prescription from a qualified health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location.
Individuals who receive COVID-19 test results through at-home tests or another testing site can also utilize a Test to Treat location to receive a prescription or receive treatment on the spot if eligible.
Some Test to Treat sites also have telehealth options available.
Will there be a Test to Treat site near me?
There are hundreds of federally-qualified health centers, pharmacy-based clinics, and long-term care facilities across the country.
How do people find Test to Treat sites?
Visit the COVID-19 Test to Treat locator at https://covid-19-test-to-treat-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/. Individuals with difficulty accessing the internet or who need additional support finding a location can call 1-800-232- 0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8am to midnight ET, 7 days a week.
The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9am to 8pm ET or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Are pharmacists themselves able to prescribe the oral antiviral pills (Paxlovid and Lagevrio)?
No. The Test to Treat initiative includes sites that have health care providers available to provide treatment. The Test to Treat initiative does not change existing requirements for a qualified health care provider to write the prescription.
Can I get oral antivirals through my regular health care provider?
Yes. Qualified health care providers can continue to prescribe oral antivirals to eligible patients who are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, including via telehealth. Patients will be able to have prescriptions filled wherever antivirals are being distributed, this includes Test to Treat sites.
Can I bring at-home test results to a Test to Treat site for assessment to receive treatment?
Yes. The Test to Treat initiative does not require that an individual is tested at the Test to Treat site.
Sincerely,
Dr. Colleen Kilgore
Director of Health Ministry
Mountain View Baptist Church-Greenville
'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...'
Hosea 4:6
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