The Home Test to Treat program is from the National Institutes of Health.
Eligible adults can now receive free rapid home tests, telehealth sessions, and home treatment for both the coronavirus and influenza through a newly expanded federal program.
Initially launched as a pilot program in some areas, the National Institutes of Health’s home treatment program is now available nationwide at the following sites: test2treat.org.
Currently, any adult who tests positive for coronavirus or the flu can sign up for free telemedicine and have their medication delivered to their home if prescribed. Follow-up care during the treatment process is also possible.
“If something happens, [patients] If you need follow-up, you can return for a second telemedicine visit,” said Dr. Andrew Weitz, director of the NIH Home Testing and Treatment Program.
“In fact, we haven’t seen anything like this happening at all yet,” he added.
Even if you do not currently test positive for coronavirus or the flu, if you are uninsured or enrolled in some federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, or Indian Health Service. , you can get a free test.
“these are, [telehealth] “Delivery mechanisms will be critical to reducing the burden of in-person offices, lines and waiting times,” said Michael, chief scientific officer at eMed, which helped introduce the new at-home testing and treatment program. Dr. Mina said. .
Coronavirus tests can also be ordered through a separate program, covidtests.gov. The program was reinstated a few months ago, and this fall he will be able to order an additional four tests per household, and eight additional tests for those who have not yet ordered one. You can now order.
As the world’s largest source of funding for medical research, the NIH also pursues a research-oriented mission to explore ways to leverage technology to improve access to health care more broadly.
“We’re doing this to benefit public health, but at the same time, as the NIH, which is actually a research institution, one of our objectives through this program is to provide support for things like home testing and telemedicine. It’s about gaining a deeper understanding of how technology works to improve access to health care for people across the country,” Weitz said.
The program is scheduled to end in spring 2024, but it remains to be seen whether the effort could be transferred to the private sector.
“Whether programs like this can garner enough public interest to be continued by the private sector, or whether this is something that requires sustained government investment…these are the questions we will now answer. “These are the types of research questions we’re trying to ask in our program,” Weitz said.
The program will initially offer the Pfizer COVID-19 and Influenza Home Test, the first FDA-cleared test that can detect both viruses with a single swab at home.
Treatment for respiratory illnesses should usually begin within a short period of time or as soon as symptoms develop.
“By the time most people go to the doctor, [respiratory illnesses]They’re already beyond the therapeutic range where treatments can be effective, so they’re stuck, hoping their bodies will get rid of the virus, but some end up going to the hospital. There are people,” Mina said.
Medications delivered to your home through the program are free to anyone with or without insurance. If picking up at a pharmacy, patients may be asked to pay out-of-pocket or show insurance, but they can ask the pharmacy if there are any government-procured treatments available for free.
“For acute respiratory viruses such as the coronavirus and influenza, starting treatment as soon as possible after infection can prevent the virus from multiplying in the first place and limit the damage it causes to cells. ” Mina said.