COVID-19 Screening and Testing Process
If you test positive, have symptoms, or were exposed to COVID-19:
- Follow the CDC’s guidance for determining if/when to isolate and take other precautions.
- Contact your primary care physician or reach out to Student Health or Employee Health Services for care and guidance, especially if you have a specific health concern.
IMPORTANT
In all cases, it is your responsibility to communicate with your supervisors or instructors as soon as possible should the situation impact your ability to fulfill work or academic duties. As always, if you are sick or feeling ill, stay home and do not come to campus!
Students should also seek guidance from their instructors on how to successfully complete course work if quarantine, isolation, or illness causes absences. Faculty and supervisors are advised to be flexible with their students and employees and provide support, as needed.
What if I want to get tested for COVID-19 (for any reason)?
There are several types of COVID-19 tests and ways you can access them:
Community-Based Testing Sites
Free or low-cost COVID-19 testing is available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at select pharmacies, retailers, and health centers nationwide. The process and locations for COVID-19 testing vary from place to place.
FREE At-Home Tests (Paused as of Friday, Sept. 2, 2022)
At-home tests, or self-tests, are available for free across the country to everyone, regardless of insurance status. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
NOTE: The federal government has paused its free COVID-19 test kit program due to a lack of funding.
If you have private insurance coverage, you can order online, to a pharmacy, or to a store to buy a test and get reimbursed through your insurance.
- If you are charged for your test, keep your receipt, and submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- Private insurance companies are required to reimburse up to 8 tests per month per individual on an insurance plan.
- Express Scripts® Pharmacy members (via UT SELECT Medical Plans) can order up to 8 at-home COVID-19 tests every 30 days.
If you have Medicaid coverage, you can access at-home COVID tests at no cost through the guidelines established by the state Medicaid program. State Medicaid and CHIP programs are required to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests.
If you have Medicare coverage, you can access testing through your health care provider or local pharmacist or pick up free at-home tests at local pick-up locations.