WISCONSIN — All Wisconsin households are now eligible to place an order every month for a free COVID-19 test kit, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Thursday.

The free at-home self-test kits contain five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests and are a part of the new state-supported program Say Yes! COVID Test.

“With the holidays coming up, we want to give Wisconsinites the tools they need to safely celebrate with their loved ones,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “These free self-tests are delivered right to the door, allowing people to take a COVID-19 test at home and make decisions that will keep those around them safe.”

DHS said opening access to testing in this way will help people know if they have COVID-19 and if they need to take actions that will limit the chance of spreading the virus to others, such as wearing a mask or staying home for the five days recommended by the CDC.

Wisconsinites can place their order for tests via the Say Yes! COVID Test website.

However, there are still plenty of other ways to get tests in the state:

• Visit one of the many community testing sites, which often offer free testing
• Buy a self-test from a pharmacy, retail outlet, or online
• Use health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare plans to cover cost of additional self-tests (most private insurers and some Medicare plans will cover the cost of eight rapid COVID-19 tests per member each month)
• Contact a health care provider, who can help you find a test near you.

As of this fall, DHS has distributed 11 million COVID-19 tests since the start of the pandemic. DHS continues to supply tests to local and tribal health departments, K-12 schools, and shelters for distribution.

“A priority of our COVID-19 prevention efforts continues to be working to provide all Wisconsinites with equitable access to COVID-19 testing,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge. “Ordering free tests through the Say Yes! COVID Test program is quick, easy, and helps people have the ability to take a COVID-19 test at home and know their results within minutes.”

DHS encouraged anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to take a test five days after exposure, regardless of vaccination status.

If you receive a test through the Say Yes! COVID Test program or in any other context that seems to have gone past its expiration date, don’t be concerned. More recently, the FDA extended the expiration dates for many COVID-19 self-tests.

DHS emphasized those tests are still reliable and they are good for an additional six months past the original expiration date. You can find the specific extended expiration date for tests on the iHealth website.

For free and confidential support in placing an order for the household test packages, you can dial 211 or 877-947-2211.