St. Clair County Health Department

I have symptoms of COVID-19 or was exposed and want a test. Please let us know if you need a COVID test prior to a surgical procedure.

To take a COVID-19 test, please park at the health department, collect a test kit, follow the instructions to self-collect a specimen, and drop it in the depository chute. You will be called with results.

COVID-19 symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Medicare Coverage for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) will cover these tests if you have Part B. (Medicare won’t cover OTC COVID-19 tests if you only have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage, but you may be able to get free tests through other programs or insurance coverage you may have.) You might need to show your red, white, and blue Medicare card to get your free OTC COVID-19 tests (even if you have another card for a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D plan).

To learn more, visit: Coronavirus Test Coverage (medicare.gov)

Free COVID Tests From the Biden Administration

Households can order four free COVID tests starting on 12/15/2022. The tests can be ordered on COVIDtests.gov and will start to ship the week of Dec. 19.

Insurance Coverage for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

As of January 15, 2022, private health insurers are required to cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests per month for each person covered by a health plan. Tests must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to be covered.

To meet this requirement, insurers may choose to provide direct coverage for tests by:

Establishing a program to have tests mailed directly to you upon request, or
Establishing a network of preferred providers that will enable you to go directly to a designated pharmacy or retailer to obtain free tests.
If your insurer does not provide direct coverage, or if you purchase tests outside of your insurer's preferred provider network, you can request reimbursement for some or all of your out-of-pocket expenses.
DIFS has surveyed health insurers operating in Michigan and prepared the information below to help Michiganders understand this benefit and how it will be offered. This information is provided for informational purposes only. Check with your insurer for the most up-to-date information for your specific plan. Coverage should always be confirmed with your plan prior to purchasing any tests. DIFS is not responsible for any costs incurred in reliance on this information.

For more information visit, Michigan.gov: https://www.michigan.gov/difs/covid-19/insurance-coverage-for-over-the-counter-covid-19-tests#:~:text=As%20of%20January%2015%2C%202022,in%20order%20to%20be%20covered .

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests from the Rockefeller Foundation

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is announcing an expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 300,000 COVID-19 tests to 60,000 households free of charge to at-risk communities.

Eligible St. Clair County ZIP Codes:

48060	48079	48040	48074
48039	48097	48023	48014
48006	48064	48002	48022
48032	48059	48001	48054
48049	48063	48041	48027
48028

Free At-home COVID-19 Tests for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a new initiative to expand the availability of at-home tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. The tests work with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and free app to provide users with audible instructions, and audible test results. Read more about the tests.

Additional resources for free at-home tests are available at Michigan.gov/COVIDtest.