As we head into the fall respiratory virus season, AHCA/NCAL is reminding providers about the availability of free COVID-19 tests through a program from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities with an active CLIA waiver are eligible to receive free monthly shipments of over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits. We anticipate that this program will continue through the fall of 2025.
Shipments can be started or stopped by emailing
TDX@hhs.gov. The email must include:
- Name of the facility
- Facility address
- CLIA waiver number
- Request (stop, start)
Please note that it may take a week or two to update the shipping information.
CDC guidance requires anyone with even mild symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested. More information and detailed guidance can be found in the
CDC’s Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2.
If you have an influx of test kits and aren’t sure how to use them, keep in mind that since the tests are OTC, you can provide them to visitors, staff, or residents for their personal use. The exact expiration dates for the tests can be found on the
FDA website.
For questions related to the HHS COVID-19 Test Distribution Program, please email
TDX@hhs.gov.