Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens have eliminated limits on what number of over-the-counter speedy COVID-19 assessments clients should buy directly.
CVS had beforehand restricted clients to purchasing six house virus assessments every in an effort to maintain the kits in inventory because the Omicron variant was spreading across the U.S., driving demand for the screening instruments. CVS stated it has since elevated its provide of COVID-19 assessments, permitting the corporate to drop buy restrictions.
"We have labored with our distributors to extend stock of OTC COVID-19 assessments and have eliminated all product limits on these merchandise at CVS Pharmacy places nationwide and on CVS.com," a CVS Pharmacy spokesperson informed CBS MoneyWatch.
CVS at the moment has six totally different speedy COVID-19 check merchandise in inventory.
Till Thursday, Walgreens had restricted clients to a most of 4 assessments in shops or on-line. Prospects might now buy as many speedy COVID-19 assessments as they need from the retailer, a spokesperson informed CBS MoneyWatch.
The assessments had been notably arduous to come back by across the holidays, when people ready to journey and collect with their households simply as instances from the extremely contagious Omicron variant had been surging.
Check now lined by insurers
As of mid-January, beneath a Biden administration rule non-public insurers are required to cowl the price of eight over-the-counter COVID-19 assessments per 30 days, per lined member.
Some insurers have partnered with retailers like CVS to make the assessments out there for free on the level of buy. Underneath different plans, people should save their receipts and submit them for reimbursement.
"Notably, within the early levels of this program, we strongly encourage clients to avoid wasting their receipt(s) as they could must submit them to their insurer," the CVS spokesman stated.
Solely assessments which might be accepted by the U.S. Meals and Drug administration are lined and eligible for reimbursement. Customers can cross-check the identify of the check they intend to buy towards the FDA's record of licensed kits, discovered right here.