Walgreens is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a life sciences company to increase access to COVID-19 tests.
The drugstore giant, HHS and life sciences firm Labcorp are making Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kits available nationwide. The PCR tests are available at no cost to consumers who meet clinical guidelines for requiring a COVID-19 test.
“Walgreens is focused on reducing barriers to health care, including cost and transportation,” said John Standley, president, Walgreens. “Through our continued partnership with Labcorp and HHS, communities will have better access to convenient COVID-19 PCR testing. This is particularly important for uninsured, socially vulnerable and medically underserved populations, who continue to be among those most impacted by COVID.”
How to Get a Pixel by Labcorp® COVID-19 At-Home Collection Kit
Visit walgreens.com/covid19testing to request a Labcorp COVID-19 at-home kit at no cost for individuals 2 years of age and older.
Individuals scheduling a testing appointment using the Walgreens online scheduler will see a pop-up with the option to request a COVID-19 at-home collection kit.
Individuals will then be directed to Labcorp OnDemand, a health care platform that helps individuals manage their health and make more informed decisions. Once on the platform, customers will be prompted to answer eligibility questions and request a kit.
Completed tests can be dropped off at more than 6,000 Walgreens locations or a FedEx drop off location using the pre-paid FedEx Priority Overnight bag provided.
“Expanding our offerings with Walgreens to provide Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kits to Walgreens customers makes testing within reach for more individuals across the country, including those communities that might otherwise have a harder time accessing health care,” said Brian Caveney, MD, chief medical officer and president, Labcorp Diagnostics. “As we begin seeing regions across the country loosen COVID-19 restrictions, testing will continue to play an important role as people increase pre-pandemic routine activities.”
The Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kit uses the same PCR test trusted by doctors and hospitals across the country. PCR testing is considered the gold standard in diagnosing COVID-19, and the test detects all current variants of the virus. At-home collection kits are shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight® with step-by-step instructions to guide individuals through kit registration, sample collection and how to return your sample. Results are provided on average within 1-2 days after the specimen is received at the lab and can be accessed through the Labcorp OnDemand portal.
In addition to the new program, Walgreens offers free drive-thru testing for everyone ages 3 and older at more than 7,000 locations nationwidei, with more than half of Walgreens COVID-19 testing sites located in socially vulnerable areas. Walgreens also offers over-the-counter tests for purchase online and in stores. For reimbursement of over-the-counter tests, customers should ask their pharmacist if their plan offers coverage with no out-of-pocket cost. Walgreens remains committed to providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatments in the communities we serve and have administered more than 60 million COVID-19 vaccines and 26 million COVID-19 tests. Since the onset of the pandemic, Walgreens has consistently provided communities convenient access to the COVID-19 services and medications they need through COVID-19 at-home and drive-thru testing services, vaccinations, distributing masks and dispensing medications.
Labcorp became the first U.S. commercial laboratory to launch COVID-19 PCR testing in 2020, and less than two weeks later it became the first to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its test. In April 2020, Labcorp launched at-home collection kits for COVID-19 PCR testing, which are now available through its Labcorp OnDemand platform. Labcorp OnDemand includes a suite of the company’s most popular tests including its wellness, allergy, COVID-19, women’s health and fertility tests. Individuals can purchase Labcorp OnDemand tests online, collect samples in the convenience of their home, or schedule test appointments at one of Labcorp’s nearly 2,000 patient service centers, including Labcorp at Walgreens locations.
