Can’t find an at-home COVID test? The state of Missouri will ship you one for free
Can’t find an at-home COVID test anywhere? Especially if you’re not feeling well enough to go to one of the testing sites open in the area, if you live in Missouri, you have another option.
The state of Missouri began offering at-home PCR COVID-19 tests to residents in May. With a shortage of at-home tests available in stores and rising cases in Kansas City, now may be the right time to get yours.
Here’s how you can get your free at-home PCR COVID-19 test shipped to you.
Editor’s note: On Thursday, Dec. 30, the state of Missouri temporarily ran out of its supply of tests. Later in the day Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services announced tests were available again.
WHERE DO I ORDER?
Missouri residents can order tests on the state’s website, which takes you to this link. If for some reason the site tries to charge you (it shouldn’t), you can use MOPROMO for it to be free.
Shipping is also free using standard 2-day shipping unless you want the testing kit overnight. In that case, it’ll cost $16.
You’ll have to complete a PCR eligibility screening test before you can order your test. It’s an online form with questions such as:
Who are you ordering this for?
What symptoms are you having?
Have you been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19?
Did your employer ask you to get tested?
Do you have any medical conditions?
You don’t have to answer a certain way to be eligible, any Missouri resident can get one.
Once you finish the survey, you’ll have to create an account with Fulgent Genetics, the company providing the tests. They’ll send the testing kit to your address within two days, and it is good for six months.
Lisa Cox, communications director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said you can only request one testing kit at a time and can only receive another one after submitting your first test to a state lab (more on that in a second).
This applies to all individuals in your household, meaning you can’t order multiple kits for them, but instead they’ll have to order one using their account.
Cox also said Missouri will make testing kits available to residents as long as federal funding remains available.
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE TEST?
Cox said the best practice would be to test for COVID-19 at day 5 after possible exposure. If you have symptoms or feel sick, you should test as soon as possible.
I TOOK THE TEST. WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Once you take the test using the nasal swab, pack it up as the instructions say and return it to a FedEx collection site within 24 hours of when you swab. The state will run your test in a lab, and then will send you the results to your email within the next two days.
Any delays in shipping may void the results, so your testing kit includes a FedEx shipping label for overnight delivery. You should take and ship the test Monday through Thursday, so it can reach the lab in time. A test shipped on the weekend or a holiday may not reach the lab in time and also void the results.
DO THESE TESTS DETECT THE OMICRON VARIANT?
Fulgent Genetics at-home COVID-19 tests can detect the omicron variant. In general, if you test in the advised window, a PCR test should effectively detect any of the known variants.
WHAT IF I TEST POSITIVE?
Our Service Journalism team talked to local doctors about what steps to take and how to keep those around you safe if you test positive. You can check that out here.
What other questions do you have about COVID-19, the omicron variant and staying safe? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below. We’re gathering questions from readers to answer in future stories.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 12:17 PM.
